Blog entry
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:
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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.
Handmade for Mother's Day - Three for Thursday
Posted April 26, 2018
Being a handmade artist myself, I have always loved this quote:
You can't buy LOVE, but you can buy HANDMADE . . . and that's kind of the same thing.
Handmade artists put a great amount of heart and soul and love into their pieces. So, in my humble opinion, you ARE buying love. Each of the three items from three artists featured below put a LOT of themselves into each piece. I hope you enjoy these fabulous beauties. And remember: Mother’s Day will be here soon!
Artisan Favorites - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted April 18, 2018
When you buy something handmade by a person, there is something special there. And you do feel it. The consciousness with which the thing is made is often more important than the thing itself. J. Donald Walters
I just love browsing through the shops of handmade artist friends. Who knows what new beauties - or old beauties you suddenly see in a brand new light - you will find! Two items from five artists are featured below (myself, included). I hope you enjoy these picks.
Gift Ideas for a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 6
Posted April 17, 2018
Can you believe Week 6 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2018 has already come and gone? Only four more weeks of the Countdown to go, graciously hosted by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions on her The Blu Print blog. This week, seventeen artisans shared a total of 51 beautifully handmade items. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, on Sunday, May 13, this is the perfect time to start making a list of gift ideas / buying a gift for your Mom. Browse the wide range of unique shares for this week, many of them one of a kind designs, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom something that was HANDMADE from the heart.
Handmade Earrings and Necklaces for Mothers Day - New Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted April 13, 2018
It has been almost a month since I last shared my newest Shadow Dog Designs handmade necklaces and earrings. Where does the time go? Most of my time has been spent getting ready for art shows and then selling at art shows. My first was last weekend, the Kermezaar Art Festival, with two more big shows this month. Fortunately my stock of jewelry is pretty good, but I always like to have at least a few new things for each show. Will continue with creating new pieces as soon as this is posted.
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 Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs - New Earrings and Necklaces
Posted March 4, 2018
It has been almost a month since I last sat down to share my newest batch of handmade earrings and necklaces. Visiting friends in Long Beach, California and Charleston, South Carolina took up a lot of time, along with shorter trips to Dallas. Plus, three big shows are in the not too distant future, all in April, so I’ve been very busy trying to make new jewelry to freshen up the look. Lots of spring inspired jewelry has been photographed - hopefully, those will make it into the next post.
Three for Thursday - Artisan Handmade
Posted February 1, 2018
As I was toying around with the idea for a new set of blog posts, Three for Thursday became an “Aha!” moment. My plan is to feature three items from three handmade artists in each post, hopefully at least twice a month. The items will be wide ranging from a variety of materials, most, but not all, one of a kind beauties. In this inaugural post, the artists I have chosen are: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and 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:
