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Blog entry
Handmade Hot Summer Fun
Posted August 5, 2021
Here it is, already August and a good part of scorching summer heat is behind us. Summer here in the Desert Southwest, so far, has actually been pretty mild - at least for here. Other places haven’t been so lucky, unfortunately. With the days of summer rapidly waning, I asked artist friends to share two items that represent “hot summer fun” in shades of red, oranges and yellows. Some items are more on the hot, hot hot summer side and some are more on the mellow cool summer side. But all are artisan handmade / designed and many are one of a kind. So if something catches your eye on the Handmade Hot Summer Fun blog, please click the photo or the link below the photo for more information. I hope you enjoy all these beauties. And remember: SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!
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Hearts for an Artisan Valentines Day - Three for Thursday - January 28, 2021
Posted 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!
Make It An Artisan Handmade Valentines Day!
Posted January 10, 2021
Before we know it, Valentine’s Day on February 14, will be here with hearts, cupids and items in pink and red assailing us everywhere. Across the United States and in many other countries around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Although the history of Valentine’s Day and its patron saint is shrouded in mystery, February has long been celebrated as a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.
Valentines Gifts: Handmade Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted January 17, 2020
Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching, less than a month away! Now is the time to start thinking about / purchasing Valentine’s gifts for the ones you love. How about giving a one of a kind, handmade piece of jewelry this year? My Shadow Dog Designs shop is filled with unique necklaces and earrings, each one carefully handmade with quality artisan components and other top notch items, such as gemstones and Swarovski crystals. Some of these designs are brand new and some have been in the shop for a bit. You’ll find many hearts featured in the designs, but each one can be worn year round and can’t be pegged just as “Valentine’s jewelry.” If something catches your eye and you want more information, please click the picture or the link to be taken to the listing. Enjoy!
Make it an Artisans Handmade Valentines Day!
Posted January 14, 2020
Valentine’s Day, February 14th, will be here before we know it with cupids, hearts, pink and red found everywhere. Across the United States and in many other countries around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. While there was a St. Valentine (the Catholic Church actually recognizes three saints named Valentine or Valentinus), the “day of love” was declared the day before the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, celebrated at the ides of February or February 15. Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. Valentines Day was officially declared on February 14th by Pope Gelasius at the end of the 5th century in an effort to Christianize the Roman celebration, declaring Lupercalia as “un-Christian.”
Affirmation and Inspiration - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday
Posted August 15, 2019
“More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
In these days which seem filled with words of hate and division, it’s sometimes hard to remember that there is MUCH more good in this world than there is bad. We just have to be aware of it. The smile of a friend or stranger. An unexpected helping hand. A kind word. Being strong in the face of adversity. That’s why I love the quote above . . . and sometimes use it as my mantra while doing some deep breathing to slow down my sometimes very active monkey mind.
Make it an Artisan Handmade Mothers Day - Week 2
Posted March 19, 2019
Week 2 of the Countdown to Mother’s Day 2019, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog, quickly came and went. A total of 48 unique items were shared - each one a perfect Mother’s Day gift - from 16 handmade artists. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - about 9 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom. 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.
Valentines Day Jewelry, Earrings and Necklaces Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted January 31, 2019
If I had a flower for every time I thought of you . . .
I could walk through my garden forever.
Alfred Lord Tennyson
Valentines is just a bit over two weeks away, on February 14. It is a day a day filled with pink and red hearts, flowers, cards, candy, and other tokens of love and devotion. With that in mind, I wanted to share a collection of handmade Valentine’s Day jewelry, mostly earrings but two necklaces are also included. Some of the jewelry from my Shadow Dog Designs handmade shop are traditional Valentine’s Day designs; others are not and can definitely be worn all year long. There are even a couple for a dog lover. I hope you enjoy this beautful collection . . . and maybe one or more of the one of a kind designs will end up with your sweetheart!
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:
New Handmade Earrings - Jewelry Gift Ideas for Women
Posted December 28, 2018
It’s hard to believe that 2018 is drawing to a close and that a new year will dawn in just a matter of days. 2018 was a very creative year for me as I found items from new artists (to me) to incorporate into my work - and continued working with pieces from old artist friends. Playing with unique color combinations was also fun. My creative spirits have been active lately as you will see with the newest handmade earrings below, great gift ideas for a favorite woman on her birthday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day . . . or just because. I hope you enjoy these new handmade creations found in my Shadow Dog Designs jewelry shop. Click on either the photo or the link below the photo to be taken to the item for more information and pictures.
