Blog entry

Make It an Artisans Mothers Day - Week 1 Gifts - 2026

Julie and the Handsome Harry Dog of Blue Morning Expressions are once again hosting the ever popular “Mother's Day Countdown.” Last year's Countdown was a resounding success . . . so the 2026 version is up and running.  Be sure to check out the Mother’s Day Countdown 2026 Week 1 on Julie and Harry's Buy Handmade from Makers blog. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - on May 10 - this is the perfect time to start thinking about buying a gift(s) for your mom, grandmom, aunts and/ or other beloved women.  Ten artists shared thirty unique items;  many are one of a kind designs.  Browse all the wonderful shares, visit the shops of the artists participating in this week's Countdown and buy your mother a beauty that was handmade / designed from the heart!  When you do that, you support a small, independent business (which makes us do a happy dance)!  Be sure to #ShopSmall for Mother's Day this year!  To show off some of the wonderful shares from this week's Countdown, I've shared a favorite item from each artist below:   

Hot Fun Under the Summer Sun - Artisan Handmade Gifts - 2024

The official start of summer will soon be here.  It takes place here in El Paso on June 20 at 2:50 p.m,  Officially June 20 will have 12 hours, 8 minutes and 59 seconds of sunlight, about 4 hours and 9 minutes longer than on the shortest day in December.  To celebrate the hot, hot summer days, I asked artist friends to share two items that represent “hot summer fun” - something with hot colors, a sun, beach or tropical theme,  sunflowers and the like.  Some items shared are more on the blazing summer side and some represent a more mellow, cool summer.  However, ALL are artisan handmade / designed and many are one of a kind pieces.  So if something catches your eye on this Hot Fun Under the Summer Sun - Artisan Handmade Gifts - 2024 blog, please click the photo or the link below the photo for more information and pictures of the individual item.  Hopefully one or more will make it into your shopping basket - treat yourself or someone else to a unique artisan beauty!  And remember: SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!  Small artisan shops will THANK YOU!

Make It a Handmade Mothers Day 2024 - Artisan Gifts - Week 6

Where did Week 6 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2024 go?  It was here . . . and then, quitre quickly, was gone.  The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.  This week, 33 handmade / designed items from 11 artists were shared.  Each unique item will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day.  Since Mother's Day is quickly approaching, on May 12 this year, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for other much loved women . . . and for yourself!  These items go quickly, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out!  Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 6, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.  You'll be supporting an indie artist and the purchase will be GREATLY appreciated!  Here are my favorites for this week:

A Fantasia of Flowers - Artisan Handmade Floral Gifts

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!