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Red, White and Blue, Happy 4th of July to You - Artisan Handmade

 

 

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the first day of July (when I wrote this) with the 4th of July just around the corner.  When you mostly are self-isolating, one day looks pretty much like the next.  But July 4th will be here this Saturday and I’m looking forward to sitting on the upstairs back porch and watching at least three fireworks shows from the comfort of our own house.  Seamus the Moose Dog will sit out there with us - fortunately he is not bothered by the booming noises fireworks can make.  

 

Since the 4th will be here very soon, I wanted to feature three red, white and blue items from three artist friends.  The artists are;  Charlotte of Covergirlbeads; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope you enjoy this selection of patriotic colored items and will visit the shops (and hopefully purchase) a beauty there.

We Have the Blues - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

Blues is a tonic for whatever ails you. I could play the blues and then not be blue anymore.

B. B. King


 

Even though the above quote by B. B. King is about music, it can also be about the color blue.  According to psychologists, the popularity of the color may take root in our evolutionary development. In the early hunter-gatherer days, those drawn to positive things - like clear blue skies and clean blue hued water were more likely to survive.  Over time, this preference for the color blue may have become hard-wired. To this day, the color blue is still a favorite color worldwide.

Christmas in July - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

 

All this month, merchants celebrate “Christmas in July.”  Believe it or not, the real Christmas will be here before we know it - yikes!  To celebrate Christmas in July, I decided to share items from three handmade artists that either have holiday items on sale or are offering free shipping.  The items range from sweet baby clothing, to unique ornaments, to fun Christmas art, and to sparkling holiday jewelry. The three artists are: Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.

 

I hope you enjoy these selections.  Don’t wait! Start your Christmas shopping early while there is a wide selection of unique handmade beauties.

Keeping Warm with Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

 

As everyone knows, winter definitely arrived last week with extreme bone chilling, record breaking temperatures in a huge swath of the United States.  Except . . . (I almost hate to say this) . . . in the Desert Southwest. I won’t even mention the weather we got to enjoy while watching news features of people bundled up head to toe while trying to find and dig out their cards from under several inches of snow.  My husband and I lived in Canada for a few years and got to experience those sub-Arctic temperatures first hand . and . all . the . shovelling . of . snow. Been there, done that! I’ll take our sunny desert winters anytime these days.

Autumn Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday

 

 

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.

Autumn Beauties - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday

 

 

“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower” . . . Albert Camus


 

Even though it still is getting into the low 90’s here in the Desert Southwest, the mornings have begun to fill with the glorious tentacles of autumn.  Everyone I know wants to linger as long as they can outside, sipping their coffee or tea, reading the newspaper, or, like me, just sitting and taking it all in.  Not as many hummingbirds are practicing gluttony at the hummingbird feeders. Am assuming many are winging their way further south for the coming winter. I’ll miss them - a bittersweet goodbye.  Fall is just around the corner.

Artisan Handmade Beauties - Three for Thursday

 

 

 

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:

Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

 

Two weeks have already come and gone . . . and it’s time for another Three for Thursday blog post.  Three items from three different handmade artists are featured.  The artists highlighted this week are:  Pamela of MagdaleneKnits with beautiful crocheted baby items; boho style jewelry by Kathy of KatsAllThat; and, lovely art work by Roxanne of watercolorsNmore.  If something catches your eye, please be sure to click on the photo 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:

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