Blog entry
Handmade Hot Summer Fun
Posted August 5, 2021
Here it is, already August and a good part of scorching summer heat is behind us. Summer here in the Desert Southwest, so far, has actually been pretty mild - at least for here. Other places haven’t been so lucky, unfortunately. With the days of summer rapidly waning, I asked artist friends to share two items that represent “hot summer fun” in shades of red, oranges and yellows. Some items are more on the hot, hot hot summer side and some are more on the mellow cool summer side. But all are artisan handmade / designed and many are one of a kind. So if something catches your eye on the Handmade Hot Summer Fun blog, please click the photo or the link below the photo for more information. I hope you enjoy all these beauties. And remember: SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!
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There are Always Flowers - Artisan Handmade - May 27, 2021
Posted May 27, 2021
There are always flowers for those who want to see them -
Henri Matisse
Henri Matisse is absolutely right. There are ALWAYS flowers. Even when it's winter and no flowers are found (except a few succulents that bloom inside during the winter), I have them in my heart, impatiently waiting for spring to see the hollyhocks, roses, geraniums, bottle brush, mimosa, lantana, Russian sage and other fine petaled friends again. And they are beautiful right now, blooming away before the desert heat sets in. To add even more floral beauty to this spring, I decided a colorful flower blog was needed. Artist friends shared two of their handmade items with a flower theme. If something catches your eye, be sure to click on the photo or the link below the photo to be taken to the item in the shop. I hope you love these cheerful beauties.
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day - Week 5
Posted April 6, 2021
Another week of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2021 has come and gone. Week 5 is here already!!! Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog, Thirty-three unique handmade items were shared from 11 artists. Many are one of a kind and each 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). Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 5, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart. For this year's Mother's Day: BUY HANDMADE!
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2020 - Week 6
Posted October 27, 2020
It’s hard to realize that we’re half-way finished with the twelve week Countdown to Christmas 2020! Yikes! That means Christmas is bearing down on us and will soon be here, just a bit less than 2 months! According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 58 days until ho-ho-ho-ing Santa and his merry band of clattering reindeer arrive once again. Now is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping and the Countdown is the perfect place! Remember this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP ARTISAN HANDMADE!
The Many Faces of Green - Artisan Handmade
Posted July 12, 2020
GREEN is a favorite color of many people because of it being the predominant terrestrial color of Mother Earth. It is considered by many to be the most restful color (green being a favorite color choice for bedrooms). But the color green wears many faces, both in its numerous beautiful shades and its interesting historical context. I found the history and symbolism of green to be fascinating and decided to share some of what I found:
Colors for Autumn - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted September 5, 2019
Despite the days still being in the mid- to high-90’s here in the Borderlands (unusual here for this time of the year), the last few mornings have had a tinge of autumn in the air. I’m definitely ready for the cooler breezes and being able to leave the windows open. Purple asters will bloom and the cottonwoods will turn a glorious golden yellow. Fall will soon be here (I hope!).
With autumn in mind, I decided to choose handmade beauties in fall colors for this Three for Thursday titles, appropriately enough, Colors for Autumn. The artists today are: Kathy of KatsAllThat; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy my autumn inspired picks and will visit the shops of the artists for more wondrous handmade fall elegance.
A Little of This, A Little of That - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday
Posted August 8, 2019
This week’s Three for Thursday blog, featuring three items from three handmade artisans, is “A Little of This, A Little of That.” As the title indicates, I picked out a wide variety of unique items, from fractal art counted cross stitch patterns / refrigerator magnets / polymer clay beads to hand sewn jewelry / favor bags to one of a kind jewelry. The artists included are: Julie (and her four legged sidekick, Harry) of Blue Morning Expressions; Ani of readytoshipproducts; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. If something catches your eye and you want to see more, please click the photo or link to be taken to the artist’s shop. I hope you enjoy browsing the items.
First Page, Last Handmade Item - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted September 20, 2017
I always love to do random type blog posts, posts that don’t have a specific theme, like “flowers, “autumn” or based on a quote. For this post, I chose “First Page, Last Handmade Item” (as of when this blog was written),” a random pick of artisan handmade creations, the last item on the first page. Despite not having a specific theme, the handmade items from Indiemade artist friends always showcase a wide range of extraordinary talent. If an item catches your eye, either click on the photo or the live link beneath the photo to be taken to the item in the shop. There you will find more information and photos. I hope you enjoy these last handmade items found on the first page:
Second Category, Third Item - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted August 30, 2017
The Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts at the Holy Cross Retreat Center is this Labor Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday. The Retreat Center has been operational for 60 years. However, some of the buildings in the compound are over 100 years old. It's so peaceful there and feels like you step back in time, especially when you see Father Tom walking around in his full cassock with a large, wooden rosary tied around his waist, chatting with as many people as he can. The juried festival itself has been held yearly for almost 20 years and is a “go to” festival for local people and the many who might drive from Tucson, Albuquerque or beyond to buy beautiful artisan handcrafted items. If you are in the Las Cruces, NM or El Paso, TX area, please stop by - I will be selling my jewelry there. For more information, here is a link: Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts.
Autumn Oranges and Browns - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted August 23, 2016
Even though the temperatures are still getting in the upper-80's to mid-90's here in the Borderlands region, the nights are dropping down into the mid-60's at night. Autumn is definitely in the air! I have noticed some of the leaves on some of the bushy sumac trees are beginning to turn. Due to lack of rain or the shorter days? Probably both. But it is nice to see the slide into my favorite time of the year.
