Blog entry
Flowers are Food for the Soul - Artisan Handmade
Posted February 28, 2019
Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.
Luther Burbank
I love this quote from Luther Burbank because it’s true! For those who are not familiar with Luther Burbank, he was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science, developing more than 800 strains and varieties of plants during his lifetime, including the tasy plumcot (fruit trees being a special passion of his, it seems). One of my favorite things to do doing the winter months was to constantly browse through Stark Bro's and Burpee Seed Co catalogues (both companies sold quite a few of Burbanks’ seeds and plants after his death), planning my flower beds and vegetable gardens. Looking at the brilliant pictures and dreaming of all the flowers and veggies spring, summer and fall would bring made those winters quite a bit easier to bear. Even now, living in the Desert Southwest where the winters are mild in comparison, I still dream of the promise of flowers.
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Handmade Valentines Day Gift Ideas
Posted January 17, 2019
On February 14 each year, candy, flowers cards and gifts are exchanged between loved ones not only here in the United States but also in other countries all around the world to celebrate Valentine's Day. The Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year, the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas (about 2.6 billion cards). How did Valentine's Day develop? Here's a short history:
Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted November 15, 2018
When I was browsing the internet the other day, looking for nothing in particular, I stumbled across this quote:
Something Handmade is So Much More Meaningful
It caught my eye, because, being a handmade jewelry artist myself, I promote buying handmade whenever I can, through my own work or the work of others artist friends. Handmade items ARE more meaningful . . . and are often one of a kind . . . and always have a small piece of the artist’s soul buried in them.
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 6
Posted October 30, 2018
Week 6 of the Countdown to Christmas quickly came and went and a unique collection of artisan handmade items were shared for all to see. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, the jolly man pulled by his team of flying reindeer visit all good boys and girls in only 55 days! Looking to start your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the perfect place to do just that! A good motto to follow: shop early, shop often! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!
Unique Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted August 2, 2018
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul.
Dieter Uchtdorf
Two weeks have already flown . . . and here it is, time for another Three for Thursday blog post. Three wonderful handmade items from three different artists are featured. The artists highlighted this week are: Marcia of MarciaMcKinzieArt with unique watercolor batik paintings (I chose all beautiful landscapes); a wide range of fiber crafts by Jacki of Christie Cottage; and unique boho style jewelry by me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. If something catches your eye, please be sure to click on the photo or the link below the picture to be taken to the item for more photos and information. I hope you enjoy the unique artisan handmade items featured below. And, remember: BUY HANDMADE!
Summer Fun - Artisan Handmade
Posted June 7, 2018
Even though summer has not officially arrived - the Summer Solstice will show up on Thursday, June 21 at 4:07 a.m. Mountain Time here in the Borderlands - thermometers tell another story. June is the month for triple digits here with a high UV index. Then the temperatures cool down when the monsoon season arrives with its amazing lightning displays and much needed rain. Despite the June heat, we go about our daily lives enjoying the out of doors, albeit in the mornings and evenings mostly: gardening, cooking on the grill, hiking, star gazing, birding, etc. With an altitude of 3740’, we still have gloriously cool mornings and evenings to enjoy being outside.
Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted May 17, 2018
I love this quote by Zac Posen, an American fashion designer, since it’s the way I feel about making artisan handmade items and buying artisan handmade items to gift to friends:
I want to make things of quality. I'm a big believer in handmade, tactile, crafted pieces. I want to keep that tradition alive.
Happy Spring! Happy Easter!
Posted March 8, 2018
The celebration of the return of spring and Easter brings the promise that everything can begin again, of letting go of the old and embracing something new, of renewal of the self and of the earth, and of faith. Just think of everything associated with spring and Easter: promise, resurrection, birth, new love, romance, nesting birds, butterflies, daffodils, tulips, peach blossoms and so many other cheerful flowers.
Handmade by Artisans - Three for Thursday
Posted March 1, 2018
Another Three for Thursday blog post is here, and with it, three items from three handmade artisans are featured. The artists in this post are: Julie of Blue Morning Expressions who works in a wide range of mediums; Marcia of MarciaMcKenzieArt with exquisite watercolor batik art; and unique jewelry by Sharon of BlondePeachJewelry. I hope you enjoy the handmade items featured today. Be sure to visit the artists’ shops to find even more beauties.
Every Flower is a Soul - Artisan Handmade and Vintage
Posted February 25, 2018
Here in the Desert Southwest, you can feel that spring is not far off. The days are getting longer, the winds are a bit windier, and, with the recent rains, the mountains and the desert have a lovely tinge of green. The first swallows of the season are soaring and dipping through the arroyo that butts up against out back yard. Other bird migrants will soon be here - yay! I can almost feel the flowers stirring, flowers of all types will soon make their much anticipated appearance before the heat sets in.
