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Blog entry
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 4
Posted October 12, 2021
Where did Week 4 of the Countdown to Christmas go? Or for that matter, weeks 1-3??? All four weeks have quickly sped right on by. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock there is only 73 days until Christmas is here again! Now is the perfect time and this is the perfect place to start your holiday shopping. Follow this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE on the Countdown to Christmas 2020 - Week 4 collection of artisan handmade. Help support small, indie shops!
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Colors for Autumn - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted September 5, 2019
Despite the days still being in the mid- to high-90’s here in the Borderlands (unusual here for this time of the year), the last few mornings have had a tinge of autumn in the air. I’m definitely ready for the cooler breezes and being able to leave the windows open. Purple asters will bloom and the cottonwoods will turn a glorious golden yellow. Fall will soon be here (I hope!).
With autumn in mind, I decided to choose handmade beauties in fall colors for this Three for Thursday titles, appropriately enough, Colors for Autumn. The artists today are: Kathy of KatsAllThat; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy my autumn inspired picks and will visit the shops of the artists for more wondrous handmade fall elegance.
Flowers for Your Ears - Handmade Floral Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted June 6, 2019
“I must have flowers, always, and always.”
Claude Monet
I totally agree with Monet. There are a lot of things I can give up in life, but flowers are not one of them. To plant a seed or seedlings into the ground . . . and then a miracle happens. Sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly, the plant grows and flowers emerge. I have been redesigning flower beds here at our house using a wide range of water wise plants: knipofia (called “mango popsicle’ - truly well named), several salvias in several colors, a fabulous penstemon; Russian sage, Texas red yucca, gauras and many colors of the workhorse of the desert garden, the glorious lantana. Every plant I chose has to benefit bees, butterflies and/or hummingbirds. I have seen bees and butterflies on the flowers, but the hummingbirds seems to prefer the feeder and the mimosa tree, which is blooming right now. Several times a day, I go out and just look, and am always filled with a sense of wonder and awe at the sheer beauty at what is happening.
Spring Flowers - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted May 16, 2019
Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower . . . John Harrigan
If you are a flower gardener (like I am) and grow many flowers from seeds, you truly understand the above statement. So much beauty is bound up in a single flower seed which, like magic, can transform into a breathtaking flower. I find happiness in just holding flower seeds and dreaming of the infinite possibility of what they will become. And when that magic happens - a seedling appears, a plant grows, a bud unfurls and a flower faces the sun - I am truly happy, awe struck and humbled. And if I can share those flowers with family and friends, so much the better.
Delicate Easter Colors - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday
Posted March 7, 2019
Easter is a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.
Janine di Giovanni
Since yesterday was Ash Wednesday - and Easter is approximately six weeks away - I started thinking about Easters past, always large gatherings of family and friends. But, before everyone showed up at our house, we went to Easter Sunrise mass, the only time my father was ever cajoled into going to church. As a child, I always remember getting a new Easter dress, usually with a matching headband, socks and gloves(!) to wear to church on Easter Sunday. And if my sister and I were lucky, a small purse would be included. Very stylish, indeed, and usually VERY itchy! The clothes were always spring pastel in color: pinks, pale yellows, pale greens, pale blues and such. A preview of all the pastel colored Easter eggs that were waiting to be found!
This week’s Three for Thursday features three items from three handmade artists that definitely are filled with the renewal of Easter springtime colors. The artists are: jewelry artist Mary of PrettyGonzo; crochet artist Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs, also a jewelry artist. I hope you enjoy my choices. And be sure to visit the artists’ shops for more splendiferous designs!
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.
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!
Artisan Handmade Beauties - Three for Thursday
Posted June 14, 2018
SOMETHING HANDMADE IS SO MUCH MORE MEANINGFUL . . . Beth Wert
I totally agree with the above quote . . something artisan handmade is ALWAYS much more meaningful. And you’ll see why when you look at the beautiful handmade items by the artists chosen for today’s Three for Thursday blog post. The artists featured today are: Linda of TreasuresofJewels who makes jewelry with a mostly romantic Victorian flair; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits who creates a wide variety of hand crocheted and knitted keepsakes; and, Suzanne of RivendellRockJewelry who crafts lovely jewelry mainly using gemstones. If something catches your eye, please be sure to click on the picture 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:
A Sense of Fun - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted May 3, 2017
This week’s Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade blog post is called A Sense of Fun. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of “fun” is “that which provides amusement or enjoyment.” I am often delighted and amused at the creativity of my artist friends and ALWAYS enjoy browsing their shops. And since Mother’s Day is almost upon us, any of these picks will make wonderful gifts. Buy Handmade - buy a gift that was made from the heart.
