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Blog entry
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 4
Posted October 11, 2022
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 - we’re now ⅓ of the way through the Countdown! . According to the ever ticking Christmas clock there is only 74 days until Christmas is here again! Since the holiday gift giving season is quickly approaching, Julie of Blue Morning Expressions along with her handsome sidekick, Harry, are hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2022 of artisan handmade items on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog in their Shopify shop. The twelve week time period was chosen to correspond with the ubiquitous Christmas carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas''. This week, there were 36 shares by 12 artists with a wide range of gift ideas: jewelry of all sorts, thimbles, Christmas ornaments, lampwork beads, party stickers and tags, hand crocheted baby gifts and photographic / digital art. If you need a perfect start 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!
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Heavenly Hollyhocks in the Desert Southwest
Posted May 26, 2022
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) have always been a flower dear to my heart. Can't explain why besides they have such a beautifully majestic look to them (at least to me) as they sway in the wind. According to information I've read, they are biennials, taking two years to bloom (although you can't always believe what's written since these seeded last summer and are blooming now). Hollyhocks are originally from Asia, grown in ancient China by wealthy people. They spread to the Middle East through trade routes and then were carried to western Europe by returning Crusaders from the Holy Land. The Latin name of the hollyhock plant, Alcea, is derived from altho the Greek word for healer. In Greek Mythology, Althea is a beautiful goddess of healing and compassion, family, marriage and protection. The flowers were used as a diuretic, a laxative, an emollient and in anti-inflammatory treatments. Rosea is Latin for for rose, rosy or pink. The common name, hollyhock, is a combination of two words — holy and hock. Holy refers to the healing powers of the plant and that it was brought to Europe from the Holy Land. Hock is an Old English word which means mallow. Hollyhocks made their way to the United States in colonial times in seed packets carried by immigrants. They symbolize the circle of life and abundance and were traditionally planted near the front door to welcome prosperity.
Unique Handmade Necklaces and Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs - Jewelry
Posted May 18, 2022
"Jewelry is a very personal thing . . . it should tell a story about the person who’s wearing it"
Garance Daré
I love the quote above by Garance Daré since it is so true. Jewelry IS a very personal thing. It can range from very traditional jewelry to jewelry that is uniquely boho; from mass produced to individually handmade pieces. I LOVE making unique jewelry! Necklaces and earrings, as you can see in this post, that definitely lean to the fun, boho side and are mostly one of a kind (with the excepton of a few pairs of Christmas earrings). Featured here are ten pieces of the newest jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS, six pairs of earrings and four pendant necklaces. If something catches your eye and you want more information and more photos, be sure to click the photo or short description to be taken to the item in my shop. Enjoy!
Happy Valentines Day - Artisan Handmade Gifts!
Posted January 13, 2022
Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it. Walk into a store shortly after Christmas and hearts, cupids and other items in pink and red will assail you from every direction. Flowers, candy and gifts are exchanged between loved ones throughout the United States and in many other countries around the world . . . all in the name of St. Valentine. Although the exact history of St. Valentine is shrouded in mystery, February has long been celebrated as a month of romance. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions.
New Jewelry - Necklaces and Earrings Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted December 21, 2021
It has been a very long time since I last shared new necklace and earring designs from my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS jewelry shop. Between doing shows, the holiday rush and other commitments, I've had a hard time pulling anything together. Until now! Featured are a baker's dozen of new jewelry designs: seven necklaces and six pairs of earrings. They are all one of a kind designs. If you are interested in anything and want more information, be sure to click the photo or the link below the photo to be taken to the item. I hope you enjoy the new artisan handmade beauties.
Fall Art Market - El Paso Art Show
Posted October 24, 2021
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Be sure to mark your calendars: the FALL ART MARKET is being held next weekend, October 30, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and October 31, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Fall Art Market features over 20 local handmade artists with a a wide variety of items: painters, glass artists, jewelers, repujado, textiles, mixed media and more. It's hosted by Pam Schuster at her Design Studio, a wonderful new venue, located at 5536 Westwind Drive, El Paso, TX. I hope to see you there!
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Sidewalk Sale and Fall Art Market - El Paso Art Shows
Posted September 30, 2021
The show season is beginning to pick up for this fall. Two new ones have been added and I'm participating in each, along with other artist freinds.
The first is the SIDEWALK SALE on October 16 at Placita Santa Fe, in El Paso, TX. It is a combination of artisan handmade artists and shop owners. The "official" time is fom 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., but there will be some ready to go at 10:00, including Nina Eaton with her photography, Candy Mayer with her art and me with my handmade jewelry in our "pop up" tents with out handmade art. Here's the information:
Christian Jewelry - Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted August 26, 2021
Religious jewelry is always a perfect gift for the Christian woman, especially when the necklaces and earrings are one of a kind, artisan designs. Today, I’m sharing ten pieces of beautiful, Christian inspired jewelry from my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS shop, seven necklaces and three pairs of earrings. As I mentioned above, all are one of a kind designs so you can rest assured no one else has a piece just like it! If something catches your eye and you want more information and photos, be sure to either click the item photograph or the live link below the picture to be taken to the listing. I hope you enjoy these meaningful beauties!
Christian Cross Jewelry - Artisan Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted June 13, 2021
To a Christian, crosses are a symbol of atonement and reminds them of God's love in sacrificing his own son for humanity. Despite being associated primarily with Christianity, many cross symbols were used as religious symbols pre-Christianity, especially in Europe and western Asia. Crosses can be found carved on rocks and in caves dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period, approximately 50,000 to 12,000 years ago. During the European Bronze Age (app. 3200 - 600 B.C), cross symbols seemed to carry a religious meaning, possibly a symbol of consecration especially during burials. For at least two centuries after the crucifixion of Christ, the symbol of Christianity (when it was depicted) was a headless T-shaped Tau cross. Gradually over time, the Tau cross was replaced by the Greek cross, with arms of equal length, then by the Latin cross (or Roman cross) with a longer descending arm, which is the most common cross used today. Crosses come in many different variants, all having a religious meaning. If you are interested in seeing some of the variants and what they mean, I find these two links to be especially helpful: Christian Cross Variants and Kinds of Crosses--What the Different Designs Mean.
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day - Week 7
Posted April 20, 2021
Week 7 of the Countdown to Mothers Day 2021 flew right on by . . . and in it's wake, 33 handmade items were left from eleven talented artists. The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog. Each unique tem will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items go quick, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 7, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.
