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Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Favorites - Week 4, 2023

Who would have believed how quickly Week 4 of the Countdown to Christmas 2023 went by . . . but here we are!  Left in its wake is a wide variety of gorgeous artisan handmade items.  According to the ever ticking Your Christmas Countdown Clock, there are only 67 days until St. Nick pays a visit to let you know of you have been naughty or nice.  With the rapidly approaching gift giving season in mind, Julie and her faithful sidekick, Harry, are hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2023 of artisan handmade items on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog, part of their Blue Morning Expressions Shopify shop.  This week, there were 33 shares by 11 artists featuring a wide range of gifts:  unique jewelry designs, photographic and digital art, home decor, note cards, Christmas stickers,lampwork  beads, crocheted gifts, coffee mugs and a host of other beauties.  If you need a perfect start (or ending) to your Christmas shopping, the Countdown is the place to do just that!  An excellent motto to follow is: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN.  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses!

Each week during the 12 week Countdown, I pick a favorite item from each artist (hard to do!) and feature them here on my blog.  These are my favorites for Week 4:  

Hearts for an Artisan Valentines Day - Three for Thursday - January 28, 2021

Valentine’s Day is almost here, just a bit over 2 weeks away.  If you haven’t already done so, now is the time you need to be deciding on an artisan gift for your loved one(s) and ordering it!  Since the heart shape has been recognized the world over as a symbol of romantic love and affection for centuries, I decided this week’s “Three for Thursday'' will include artisan designed items with hearts, three items from each of the three artists.  The artists featured are:  Giacomo of JagoDesign2; Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope you enjoy each of these heart-y picks.  If something catches your eye, be sure to visit the artist's shop and browse for even more eye candy . . . and make that purchase for a meaningful Valentine’s gift!