Blog entry

Make It a Handmade Christmas 2020 - Week 5

Week 5 of the Countdown to Christmas rushed right on by (the time goes quicker and quicker each week, it seems!), and a huge variety of fabulous artisan handmade items were left in its wake.  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 65 days, barely over 2 months, before Jolly Ol’ Santa and his reindeer arrive once again. Now is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping and the Countdown is the perfect place!  Remember this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!

Hot, Hot, Hot Dogs Days of Summer - Artisan Handmade

The dog days of summer are here and the temperatures have gotten hot, hot, hot.  It seems heat records have been shattered worldwide, especially in places that normally don’t get that hot.  Weird weather all over. Climate change is real, folks! 

So, just how did the term "Dog Days of Summer" come about?  Depending on latitude and longitude, the Dog Days usually start the beginning of July and end the beginning of September in the Northern Hemisphere and between early January to early March in the Southern Hemisphere.  Most people believe the phrase "dog days" developed by observing domestic dogs (such as our Seamus) laying around in shady areas during hot days. Another old myth, first attributed to Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, stated in his Natural History that rabid dogs are supposed to be more common during this time of the year because the heat drives them mad.  He advised feeding dogs chicken manure to curb the tendency!!!

Handmade Jewelry - New Necklaces and Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs

Spring is pretty much behind us here in the Desert Southwest.  Although it has been a very mild spring (YAY!) with below average heat with morning still cool enough that a light jacket is sometimes needed.  But all of us who live here know that summer is just around the corner bringing some triple digit temperatures in June. The the summer monsoons arrive (hopefully) in July, August and September bringing cooler temperatures again (but also the dreaded humidity) and a sense of rejuvenation.  

So many of my new jewelry designs deal with summer-y type things, whether the designs feature flowers, summer colors, the sun or other beauties.  And don’t forget your dogs or cats! I hope you enjoy the newest earrings (and one necklace) designs that can be found in my Shadow Dog Designs jewelry shop:

Handmade Earrings and Necklaces, New Designs from Shadow Dog Designs

I have been really busy making and listing new earrings and necklaces these last two weeks, mostly earrings, it seems.  Have been enthralled with two new artists I have found and buy jewelry components from.  One creates pieces from recycled tea or cookie tins.  The pieces are whimsical and very light in weight.  Another creates amazing polymer clay pieces, some with a technique called embroidered polymer clay - very intricate and time consuming.  I have one pair of earrings from each artist in the beauties shared below.  There are seven new creations; the last three are wonderful oldies but goodies to round out the number to an even ten.