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Christian Cross Jewelry - Artisan Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

 

To a Christian, crosses are a symbol of atonement and reminds them of God's love in sacrificing his own son for humanity.  Despite being associated primarily with Christianity, many cross symbols were used as religious symbols pre-Christianity, especially in Europe and western Asia.  Crosses can be found carved on rocks and in caves dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 50,000 to 12,000 years ago.  During the European Bronze Age (app. 3200 - 600 B.C), cross symbols seemed to carry a religious meaning, possibly a symbol of consecration especially during burials.  For at least two centuries after the crucifixion of Christ, the symbol of Christianity (when it was depicted) was a headless T-shaped Tau cross.  Gradually over time, the Tau cross was replaced by the Greek cross, with arms of equal length, then by the Latin cross (or Roman cross) with a longer descending arm, which is the most common cross used today.  Crosses come in many different variants, all having a religious meaning.  If you are interested in seeing some of the variants and what they mean, I find these two links to be especially helpful:  Christian Cross Variants and Kinds of Crosses--What the Different Designs Mean.

New Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs - Necklace and Earrings

 

 

It’s definitely been a loooong time since I last shared my newest jewelry designs.  Thanksgiving, Christmas and the year 2020 are finally behind us.  Good riddance to 2020, although, believe it or not, there were some bright spots!  I have to think and give thanks to those instead of dwelling on the depressing things of the past year.  One of the things that was good was the ability to sit and design lots of new necklaces and earrings, along with some bracelets, without the show season to interrupt (although I definitely DO miss meeting people and selling at shows!).  Online sales were excellent so many of the new designs listed before Christmas are gone, along with numerous oldies but goodies.  Since Valentine’s Day is looming, I decided to pull together ten of the newest designs still in my shop.  I hope you enjoy the new beauties!

A Lot of Boho, a LOT of Fun - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday

 

 

The term “boho” gets thrown around a lot these days, but what exactly does the word actually mean?  Short for “bohemian,” boho as a style is most closely associated with the free spirits and hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s - but also the pre-Raphaelite women of the late 19th century.  It embraces the carefree, the relaxed, and the unique.  But, truth be told, it borrows from the fashions of many cultures and time periods through the ages that almost anything can be "boho" if it’s styled right.  

 

With that in mind, I decided this week’s Three for Thursday would embrace boho,” specifically with fun, unique necklaces.  Featured in the A LOT of Boho, a LOT Of Fun are three necklaces from three handmade three artists.  The artists are:  Mary of PrettyGonzo, Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope one of these catches your eye!  Be sure to visit the shops of the artists for more amazing jewelry.

New Jewelry Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs - Christmas Gifts

 

 

It has been quite a while since I shared my newest  designs. I've been so busy adding new items in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade jewelry shop to take the place of all the necklaces and earrings sold at shows, that I haven’t even thought about blogging about them  . . . until now. You’ll find a wide range of one of a kind designs, including four new pairs of Christmas earrings. I hope you enjoy these new pieces . . . and that one (or more) of them might end up under the Christmas tree for a loved one - or for yourself!

An Artisan Handmade Christmas - Gift Ideas - Week 11

 

 

It's hard to believe that Week 11 of the Countdown to Christmas 2019 has come and gone . . . . and there is only one more week left!  When the Countdown starts, the end of the twelve weeks seems a looooong way off. The - BAM! - here it is! And Christmas is approximately three weeks away.  Where does the time go? The ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up.  Those seconds just keep ticking down until the jolly man in red and white leaves wonderful gifts or lumps of coal under the tree.  What is the Countdown? It’s 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 for that special person! An excellent motto to follow this holiday season: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE

 

 

 

Pink and Black Miyuki Seed Bead and Leather Boho Cuff Bracelet Handmade by Kathy of KatsAllThat

Colors for Autumn - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

 

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.

Oldies But Definitely Goodies - Unique Artisan Handmade

 

Whenever someone mentions “Oldies But Goodies,” most people think of old songs, vintage cars, antique furniture or, possibly, themselves (after - ahem - a certain age).  “Oldies But Goodies” can also refer to items in handmade shops that have been around for longer than we would like.  Whenever something is created and then listed in our shops, we always think it will sell right away.  But, for whatever reason, the beauty sits there . . . and sits there . . . and sits there some more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that particular item - not at all!  It just hasn’t found that forever person to give it a forever home.

 

I asked artisan friends to share two items from their shops that they considered “oldies but goodies.”  Many of the items are one of a kind creations and would make a perfect gift for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or just because . . . I hope something catches your eye and that you visit the shops of the artists below.

A Moment of Zen - Three for Thursday

 

 

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love to garden, mainly growing flowers.  There is something so gloriously fundamental about putting my hands in the living soil and planting something that will benefit bees, butterflies and/or hummingbirds (my way to decide what to plant - plus drought tolerance once established is a must since we live in the Chihuahuan Desert).  Planting and tending to the plants is my meditation and I experience many moments of Zen when I feel deeply connected to myself, to others and to Mother Earth.

 

Just what is “Zen?”  It’s to explain, especially when it is often tossed around so carelessly in popular culture (maybe like I just did above).  Zen is an authentic spiritual tradition, a path to an awakening: awakening to / realizing who we really are, and awakening the aspiration to serve others and take responsibility for all of life.  Zen is believed to be our true nature expressing itself moment by moment.

Artisan Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs

 

 

Since the autumn arts festival season is in full swing, I have been thinking a lot about handmade items, especially since I mostly make one of a kind jewelry.  People always ask me, “How do you come up with the design.” I reply something like this, “To tell the truth, I’m not sure. Most of the time it just happens.” Or, “The Muses were good to me.”  I’m sure a LOT of artists give some semblance of those answer since the “creative idea” is often elusive. But the answers definitely don’t take into account all the years and years of working to perfect your art through taking classes, people giving their opinions, selling (or not) at shows and by trial and error . . . and more trial and error . . . and more trial and error.  Then, suddenly, it just happens.

 

I found this poster at WalchaHandmade that pretty much sums up the process:  

Unique Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

 

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!

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