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A Moment of Zen - Three for Thursday
Posted May 8, 2019
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.
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Flowers are Food for the Soul - Artisan Handmade
Posted February 28, 2019
Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.
Luther Burbank
I love this quote from Luther Burbank because it’s true! For those who are not familiar with Luther Burbank, he was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science, developing more than 800 strains and varieties of plants during his lifetime, including the tasy plumcot (fruit trees being a special passion of his, it seems). One of my favorite things to do doing the winter months was to constantly browse through Stark Bro's and Burpee Seed Co catalogues (both companies sold quite a few of Burbanks’ seeds and plants after his death), planning my flower beds and vegetable gardens. Looking at the brilliant pictures and dreaming of all the flowers and veggies spring, summer and fall would bring made those winters quite a bit easier to bear. Even now, living in the Desert Southwest where the winters are mild in comparison, I still dream of the promise of flowers.
Flower Earrings - Artisan Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted February 20, 2019
When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not. Georgia O'Keeffe
One of my all time favorite artists is Georgia O’Keeffe. Whenever I’m in Santa Fe, I'm always drawn to the museum named after her. While there, I almost go into a meditative state while contemplating her paintings. Her flower paintings are dear to my heart.
All through my life, I have had flower gardens, some rather grand and some on a much smaller scale, such as the one here in the Desert Southwest. I cannot imagine life without the beauty and cheerfulness of flowers (or dogs, for that matter!). Life would be so bland with out them. Because of that, flowers designs can always be found in my handmade jewelry, especially the earrings. For this blog post, I chose 10 pairs of earrings, some new and some that have been in my shop a while, to feature. There are many others in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop. I hope you will stop by and take a look . . . and maybe buy a pair for yourself or a loved one.
Unique Jewelry, Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted January 3, 2019
Buy Handmade - Be One in a Million, Not One of Millions
I don’t know about you, but I HATE to buy jewelry that everyone else can buy. I don’t want to see a stranger three states over wearing a piece of jewelry that I might be wearing. That doesn’t happen, however, because I have almost always worn artisan handmade jewelry that is one of a kind, whether the earrings, bracelets or necklace are created by another artist or created by me. There is something so soul satisfying in that, knowing that I’m the only person in the universe wearing a particular design - unless an evil twin in an evil alternate universe is up to her evil copying of designs.
The three handmade artists that are features in this new “Three For Thursday” blog all make one of a kind jewelry designs: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Julie of Blue Morning Expressions; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy this small sampling of the one of a kind jewelry designs that are in their shops. Please visit each shop for more eye catching and soul satisfying beauty. I hope you enjoy these selections:
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!
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 1
Posted September 25, 2018
WOW, wasn't last Christmas like . . . last month? Yikes! According to the Christmas clock, there is only 90 days, 22 hours, 30 minutes and those quickly descending seconds (as of 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning) until Christmas is here . . . once again! And it's even closer by the time your read this "Make it an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 1" blog post!
Need Some Love - Artisan Handmade
Posted August 18, 2018
There is something ALL handmade artists go through: you design a beautiful piece of jewelry, or create a fabulous painting, or crochet an intricate piece of table art, or . . . the list goes on and on. You have put so much of yourself into the piece, you love it and you are sure it will sell very, very quickly. Unfortunately, there it still sits in your shop . . . and you have no idea why!
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!
Necklaces and Earrings - New Jewelry from Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 29, 2018
That's the thing with handmade items. They still have the person's mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.
Aimee Bender, The Color Master: Stories
I love the idea that when you hold a handmade item, that you feel less alone. I hope that everyone who wears a piece of my handmade jewelry feels that way! The one of a kind jewelry definitely has my “mark” with many good wishes and peaceful intentions added.
Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted June 28, 2018
“I work to provide symbolic reminders of our connection to the earth and beyond.”
I love this quote from Christine of beadfreaky, one of the artists featured in this week’s Three for Thursday blog. I firmly believe a large majority of handmade artists feel that way since since each piece created has a bit of the maker’s own heart and spirit captured in it. Each handmade piece of art is as meaningful and unique as the person who created it.
