Blog entry
Fall Fun - Artisan Handmade
Posted September 11, 2021
“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been
saving up all year for the grand finale.”
Lauren DeStefano
For many, many people, fall is a favorite time of the year, when the heat of summer dissipates into the coolness of autumn and the deciduous trees are a riot of color. Here in the Desert Southwest, the temperatures are still reaching the mid-90’s during the day. But the temps in the morning are dipping into the mid-60’s, a glorious reminder that the first cool front will blow through any day now. A perfect time for gardening. And just to sit and watch the grand finale . . . and to just be . . .
» 10 Comments
Every Flower - Artisan Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 6, 2021
EVERY FLOWER IS A SOUL BLOSSOMING IN NATURE
Gerard de Nerval
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love growing flowers. Since moving to the Desert Southwest, it has been a long experiment to see what survives and what doesn’t. Not only does the summer heat make some plants struggle, but we had an unexpected deep freeze this past winter. But since the monsoon season has arrived early this year with much needed rain (yay!) and cooler temperatures (yay!), my flower beds are thriving. The zinnias that were grown from seed have just started to bloom - they are an experiment so we’ll see how they do. Grandpa Otts morning glories and sunflowers are aso blooming, along with the yellow and native lantana (which started back in March) and cheerful moss-rose purslane. And, of course, the bright fuchsia pink Knockout roses keep chugging right along. An all-time favorite flower, hollyhocks, are just about bloomed out. I've been taking photos and hope to share some in a blog later on. I revel in the beauty of flowers!
Miracle of a Single Flower - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted May 20, 2021
If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change. – Siddhartha Gautama Buddha
Flowers are one of my favorite things. I wander the yard several times each day, visiting all the flowers I’ve planted and feel at peace and happy (even when I see the leafcutter bee has been at work). The types of flowers are varied. Knockout roses, verbena, gold columbine, geraniums, hollyhocks, sunflowers, zinnias, larkspur and more have all been planted (some from seed, some from bought plants) and are in various stages of growing / blooming. I'm also enjoying the mimosa tree which has just started to bloom with it's wispy pink flowers that are visited by countless pollinators and hummingbirds. And the bottlebrush tree survived the deep freeze we had here this winter, and even though it lost some limbs, there are a few blooms on it! Flowers are definiey miracles.
So, with all this blooming beauty (or blooms to be anticipated), I decided this week’s Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday would be about flowers. I’ve chosen three floral items from three handmade artists: notecards, baby items and jewelry. The artists are: Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you find joy in these picks!
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day - Week 2
Posted March 16, 2021
Week 2 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2021, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, quickly came and went. A total of 33 unique items were shared - each one a perfect Mother’s Day gift - from 11 handmade artists. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - about 8 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom, Grandmother and other loves ones. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 2, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart.
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2020 - Week 7
Posted November 3, 2020
Wow! We are already more than half-way through the Countdown to Christmas 2020 - only 5 more weeks to go! It’s hard to imagine that Christmas will soon be here. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 51 days (when this bog was posted) until Santa Claus drops down that chimney and either leaves gifts or lumps of coal for deserving or not-so-deserving boys and girls. Since Christmas is looming, 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, please PURCHASE HANDMADE from small business owner!
Summer Flowers - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted June 4, 2020
Summer will soon be here. Despite the (expected) triple digit heat that has set in here in the Desert Southwest, the water wise flowers I planted last year and in the cool of this spring are blooming up a storm. Everyone who knows me really well knows I love to work in my flower beds . . . and am ecstatic at the resulting blooms. So my beautiful flowers are the inspiration for this week’s Three for Thursday where I feature three items from three artists. This week the artists are: Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. Enjoy the wide range of floral art. Hopefully one or more of the items will soon be on the way to you!
Autumn Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted November 8, 2018
According to the calendar, we're about ½ way through autumn, the favorite time of year for many people. I live in the Desert Southwest and most people don’t associate the desert with fall color. But we have it! Granted not as eye catching as the forests in along the East Coast or the aspens in many places in the Rockies. Color is here, nonetheless: glowing yellows and reds and purples of the deciduous trees. And my amazing cosmos are looming up a storm with carmine reds, pale pinks and glowing white. The hummingbirds left about a month ago (always sad to see them go) but new migrant birds are showing up, especially the cheerful little juncos. Am waiting for the beautiful blue scrub jays with their raucous calls and jaunty attitudes to show up under the bird feeders.
Handmade Jewelry Gift Ideas by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted October 28, 2018
The Christmas shopping season will soon be here (if you haven’t already begun your list making and your shopping!). I’ve been working hard to list new pairs of earrings and necklaces in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade jewelry shop and wanted to share the new creations with you. Each piece is a perfect gift for the discerning woman who enjoys wearing truly unique artisan handmade jewelry. With the exception of two of the Christmas earrings at the end of the post, all of the jewelry designs are one of a kind pieces. Just think - you or a loved one will be the only person in the universe wearing that particular piece when purchased!
New Artisan Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted October 7, 2018
Autumn has finally made its way here to the Borderlands. Am enjoying the cool wind blowing through the window as I sit and type this or as I create new necklaces and earrings. It’s wonderful to be able to turn off the AC, open the windows and screen doors and air out the house. Better sleeping weather, too. Autumn is the best!
Speaking of Autumn, the handmade show season continues. My next is the Western Hills Fall Bazaar, a 41 year tradition. It’s a new show for me. Am trying it out because other artist friends kept saying how good it was. LOTS of foot traffic, I’ve been told. Have LOTS of new earrings to take and some new necklaces. We’ll see.
Because of shows, I haven’t listed a huge amount of new items in my Shadow Dog Designs jewelry shop since the last time I shared, almost a month ago. But here are the handmade beauties: six pairs of new earrings, two new necklaces and two oldies but goodies to make the count an even ten. Enjoy!
Great Gift Ideas for a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 9
Posted May 8, 2018
Watch out! Mother’s Day will be here next Sunday May 13! It’s not too late to order a handmade gift from the beauties shared this week on the Mother’s Day Countdown 2018, hosted again this year by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions on her The Blu Print blog. Week 9 came and went and fourteen handmade artisans and one preowned seller shared a total of 45 wonderful items items. 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!
