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Make It a Handmade Mothers Day 2024 - Artisan Gifts - Week 9
Posted April 30, 2024
Watch out! Mother’s Day will be here very, very soon - in fact, in less than 2 weeks, on Sunday, May 12. It’s still not too late to order a handmade gift (do it now!) from the beauties shared this week on the Countdown to Mother's Day 2024 Week 9. The Countdown was hosted again this year by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog. Hard to believe this is the last week of the Countdown - time sure flies by! Despite that, 11 handmade artisans shared a total of 33 wonderfully unique items, some of them one of a kind designs. Browse the wide range of eye catching shares for this week, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom, Grandmother, aunties (or yourself!) something that was HANDMADE from the heart! By shopping small, you'll also support a small indie business (and for that, we are eternally grateful!). Featured below are my favorites from the Countdown:
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A Fantasia of Flowers - Artisan Handmade Floral Gifts
Posted February 27, 2024
Here in the Desert Southwest, you can feel that spring is not far off. The days are getting longer and warmer, the winds are getting . . . . well . . . . windier, and, despite not having much rain in the last several months, flowers are beginning to stir and put on buds, a prelude to their much anticipated appearance before the heat sets in. I saw the first swallows of the season yesterday, soaring and dipping through the arroyo that butts up against our back yard. Other bird migrants will soon be here - some will pass on through and some will stay to nest. Hummingbirds are greatly anticipated as are the butterflies, bees and wasps, all of which I hope will make good use of the new pollinator flower bed that has been a long, slow process in the making. Life is good.
Thinking about flowers reminds me of a favorite floral quote by the Impressionist painter, Claude Monet, who painted many amazing floral landscapes and cultivated large flower gardens at Giverny:
“I MUST HAVE FLOWERS, ALWAYS, AND ALWAYS”
I TOTALLY agree with him!
The flowers shared below blossomed in the creative minds, hearts and souls of each artist featured. I hope you enjoy browsing all these cheerful artisan handmade / designed spring beauties. And be sure to visit the shops of the artisans featured for even more to choose from. After all, Easter and Mother’s Day will quickly be here!
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 11
Posted November 29, 2022
It's hard to believe that Week 11 of the Countdown to Christmas 2022 has already come and gone . . . . and there is only one more week left of the promotion! When the Countdown starts, the end of the twelve weeks seems a looooong way off. Then - BAM! - here it is! With Christmas just 3 1/2 weeks away - 25 days, where does the time go? The ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up - those seconds just keep ticking down until the jolly man in red and white leaves wonderful gifts or lumps of coal under the tree. Just what is the Countdown? It’s a place for handmade artists to share three of their beautiful (often one of a kind) creations. Need a perfect start (or finish) to your Christmas shopping? Shop the Countdown to Christmas and purchase that special piece for that special person! An excellent motto to follow this holiday season: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses!
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Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 9
Posted November 16, 2021
Christmas is barreling down on us - it will soon be here! Week 9 of the Countdown to Christmas 2021 has come and gone and the ever ticking Christmas clock doesn’t let up. According to what it says today, Santa and his traveling buddies will start their journey in only 38 days, just five weeks from now! The Countdown is a place for handmade artists to share three of their beautiful (often one of a kind) creations and then promote each other. Need a perfect start / end to your Christmas shopping? Shop the Countdown to Christmas to browse and purchase that special piece! An excellent motto to follow this holiday seasonis : SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small, indie shop owners!
Beautiful Flowers - Artisan Handmade for Spring
Posted February 25, 2021
Photo by James J. Shaw
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.
William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair . . .
Susan Polis Schutz
Unique Earrings for You - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted February 13, 2020
Earrings are my “go to” jewelry. They are the piece of jewelry I almost always put on right away when I get up in the morning. BUT if I happen to leave the house without a pair dangling from my ears, and suddenly realize it, it feels like the earth somewhat shifts on its axis, like I’ve accidently wandered into the Upside Down. Weird, I know. I can’t wait to get back home to put on a pair to set things Rightside Up.
Since earrings are an integral part of my life, both to wear and create, this week’s Three for Thursday is called “Unique Earrings for You.” Three pairs of earrings from three handmade jewelry artists are featured. The artists are: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Linda of VictorianStyleTreasures; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. If something catches your eye, be sure to visit the artisan’s shop for more beauties. I hope you thoroughly enjoy this earrings collection featuring a wide range of styles.
An Artisan Handmade Christmas - Gift Ideas - Week 7
Posted November 5, 2019
Wow! We are already more than half-way through the Countdown to Christmas 2019 - only 5 more weeks to go! It’s hard to imagine that Christmas will soon be here! According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 49 days (when this bog was posted) until Santa Claus drops down that chimney and either leaves gifts or lumps of coal for deserving (or not-so-deserving) boys and girls. Since Christmas is looming, 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, PURCHASE HANDMADE!
Crocheted Amigurumi Unicorn Stuffed Animal Toy Handmade by Nancy of Wyvern Designs
Oldies But Definitely Goodies - Unique Artisan Handmade
Posted July 31, 2019
Whenever someone mentions “Oldies But Goodies,” most people think of old songs, vintage cars, antique furniture or, possibly, themselves (after - ahem - a certain age). “Oldies But Goodies” can also refer to items in handmade shops that have been around for longer than we would like. Whenever something is created and then listed in our shops, we always think it will sell right away. But, for whatever reason, the beauty sits there . . . and sits there . . . and sits there some more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that particular item - not at all! It just hasn’t found that forever person to give it a forever home.
I asked artisan friends to share two items from their shops that they considered “oldies but goodies.” Many of the items are one of a kind creations and would make a perfect gift for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or just because . . . I hope something catches your eye and that you visit the shops of the artists below.
New Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted December 27, 2017
It has been several months since I last shared a blog of my newest handmade jewelry. Between participating in art shows, traveling, my birthday, our anniversary, other commitments and trying to stock my Indiemade shop for the Christmas buying season, the time just sped right on by. Seems time goes quicker and quicker each and every year! Whew! Anyway, I finally pulled together this post to share of my newest earrings and necklaces, six of each. They are all one of a kind pieces and handmade from the heart. If a piece catches your eye, please click on the photo or the live link below the photo to be taken to the item for more information and pictures. I hope you enjoy the beauties below:
