Blog entry
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 7
Posted April 19, 2022
Week 7 of the Countdown to Mothers Day 2022 flew right on by . . . and in it's wake, 27 handmade items were left from nine talented artists. The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog. Each unique tem will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items go quick, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out! Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 7, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart. And, please support a small indie business!
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Happy Valentines Day - Artisan Handmade Gifts!
Posted January 13, 2022
Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it. Walk into a store shortly after Christmas and hearts, cupids and other items in pink and red will assail you from every direction. Flowers, candy and gifts are exchanged between loved ones throughout the United States and in many other countries around the world . . . all in the name of St. Valentine. Although the exact history of St. Valentine is shrouded in mystery, February has long been celebrated as a month of romance. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.
New Jewelry Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted October 10, 2021
This month, I want to share eleven new pieces of jewelry with you, seven pairs of earrings and four necklaces. All are one of a kind pieces and all are designed and handmade by me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I've somewhat grouped them according to theme, starting off with Halloween and Day of the Dead earrings, since those celebrations will soon be very here. Then a pair of Christmas tree earrings (the holidays will be here sooner than we think!). The last seven range anywhere between sweet and petite and fun and funky. If something catches your eye, be sure to click the photo or the link below the photo to be taken to the item in the shop. There you can read the specifics and browse more pictures. I hope you enjoy these newest beauties!
Perfect for Halloween and Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos celebrations:
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2020 - Week 1
Posted September 22, 2020
WOW, wasn't last Christmas like . . . three months ago? With as strange as the year 2020 has been so far, it’s hard to believe that Christmas is only 93 days away (according to the ever ticking Christmas clock). It’s not too early to start thinking about your Christmas shopping list. A perfect place to start is the 12 week Countdown to Christmas 2020 hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions that is filled with a wide variety of handmade gifts. A good motto to follow: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small businesses!
Awesome Animals - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted July 30, 2020
Anyone who knows me knows I love animals, always have and always will. No-footed, two-footed, four-footed, six footed or more (except, to tell the truth, female mosquitoes and ticks - uck!). I love animals of all sizes, from huge ones to wee, tiny ones - from blue whales, the largest mammal on earth, to Kitti's hog-nosed bat (or bumblebee bat) the world's smallest mammal at just over 1” long. And I’m always amazed at how animals have evolved to survive. Just think of the Griffon’s vulture which is recorded as the highest flying bird at 37,000 feet to deep sea creatures which live in harsh conditions thousands of feet in the ocean where light doesn’t reach. Amazing!
When I was mulling around what the theme of this week's Three for Thursday blog, I decided on animals. Three animal related items from three handmade artists are featured. The artists are: Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures; Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy this collection of animal themed items. Be sure to visit the shops to find even more beauties.
New Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 19, 2020
You would seem due sheltering in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’d have more time to create new jewelry and blog. Before, my days were very structured. Now they’re not, even though I try to structure them. It seems I find myself saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow” . . . and then when tomorrow rolls around, it becomes “tomorrow” again. So, this morning, I sat myself down to create a new blog showcasing the newest pieces of jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop. Fourteen handmade beauties: nine pairs of earrings, four necklaces and one bracelet. They are all one of a kind creations from a variety of materials including, gemstones, polymer clay, Czech glass, Swarovski crystals and a host of other things. I hope you take the time to browse and to check out all the other jewelry in my shop. After all, Christmas will be here before we know it - get a head start with your holiday shopping! Enjoy.
Flora and Fauna - Artisan Handmade
Posted June 25, 2020
The Earth is such a beautiful place to live on, if we just take the time to look and observe. No matter where we go, unique plants and animals can be found, two very important parts of any ecosystem. I’ve been lucky to have lived in many places and many different ecosystems, from Central Texas to North Carolina, from near Georgian Bay in Canada to a forest in Northern Virginia, from North Texas to an island in South Carolina. Now I live in the gorgeous Desert Southwest. The flora and fauna of each place was awe-inspiring - some the same but, most often, very different. Since I love what Mother Nature has to offer, I find it all VERY, VERY interesting and want to keep on learning about how our wonderful Earth functions . . . and what we need to do to heal it.
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 6
Posted April 14, 2020
Where did Week 6 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020 go? It was here . . . and then was gone. The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog. This week, 36 handmade items from 12 artists were shared. Each unique tem will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items go quick, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 6, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.
Follow Your Heart - Handmade Valentines Day Gifts
Posted January 23, 2020
Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence. - Vincent van Gogh
By now, everyone is aware that Valentine’s Day (or St. Valentine’s Day) is rapidly approaching; it will be here in less than a month, on February 14th. Many stores have been decked out in hearts, cards, red roses, candy and cupids since the day after Christmas so it’s a day that’s hard to miss.
Since the most common Valentine's Day symbol is the heart, the new "Follow Your Heart" Three for Thursday blog is dedicated hearts. Three beautifully unique heart items are shared from three handmade artist friends. Some of the items are more traditional and some are not - but all will make a perfect Valentine’s Gift for your loved one. The artists featured are: Julie from Blue Morning Expressons; Heather from BluKatDesign; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. If something catches your eye, click on the photo or the description and you’ll be taken to the item in the shop. I hope you enjoy each and every heart.
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. - Charles M. Schulz
An Artisan Handmade Christmas - Gift Ideas - Week 9
Posted November 19, 2019
Christmas is barreling down on us - it will soon be here! Week 9 of the Countdown to Christmas has come and gone. The ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up - according to what it says today, Santa will start his journey in only 35 days, just barely a month from now! The Countdown is a place for handmade artists to share three of their beautiful (often one of a kind) creations. Need a perfect start to your Christmas shopping? Shop the Countdown to Christmas: browse and purchase that special piece! An excellent motto to follow this holiday season: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!
