Blog entry

Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 4

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!

Flowers for Your Ears - Handmade Floral Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs

“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.

Delicate Easter Colors - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday

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!

New Artisan Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs

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!