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A Lot of Boho, a LOT of Fun - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday

 

 

The term “boho” gets thrown around a lot these days, but what exactly does the word actually mean?  Short for “bohemian,” boho as a style is most closely associated with the free spirits and hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s - but also the pre-Raphaelite women of the late 19th century.  It embraces the carefree, the relaxed, and the unique.  But, truth be told, it borrows from the fashions of many cultures and time periods through the ages that almost anything can be "boho" if it’s styled right.  

 

With that in mind, I decided this week’s Three for Thursday would embrace boho,” specifically with fun, unique necklaces.  Featured in the A LOT of Boho, a LOT Of Fun are three necklaces from three handmade three artists.  The artists are:  Mary of PrettyGonzo, Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  I hope one of these catches your eye!  Be sure to visit the shops of the artists for more amazing jewelry.

Make it an Artisans Handmade Valentines Day!

 

 

Valentine’s Day, February 14th, will be here before we know it with cupids, hearts, pink and red found everywhere.  Across the United States and in many other countries around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.  While there was a St. Valentine (the Catholic Church actually recognizes three saints named Valentine or Valentinus), the “day of love” was declared the day before the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, celebrated at the ides of February or February 15.  Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. Valentines Day was officially declared on February 14th by Pope Gelasius at the end of the 5th century in an effort to Christianize the Roman celebration, declaring Lupercalia as “un-Christian.”

An Artisan Handmade Christmas - Gift Ideas - Week 6

 

 

It’s hard to imagine that we’re half-way finished with the twelve week Countdown to Christmas 2019!  Yikes, that means Christmas is bearing down on us and will soon be here! According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 56 days until Jolly Ol’ Santa and his merry band of 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!

 

 

 

Colors for Autumn - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

 

Despite the days still being in the mid- to high-90’s here in the Borderlands (unusual here for this time of the year), the last few mornings have had a tinge of autumn in the air.  I’m definitely ready for the cooler breezes and being able to leave the windows open. Purple asters will bloom and the cottonwoods will turn a glorious golden yellow. Fall will soon be here (I hope!).

 

With autumn in mind, I decided to choose handmade beauties in fall colors for this Three for Thursday titles, appropriately enough, Colors for Autumn.  The artists today are: Kathy of KatsAllThat; Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy my autumn inspired picks and will visit the shops of the artists for more wondrous handmade fall elegance.

Colours by Donovan - Three for Thursday

 

 

A couple of days ago, while I was picking up some veggies and fruit from our local Whole Foods, I keyed in on a song that was playing in the background - a song I loved waaaaay back when.  When I got home, I looked it up on YouTube, played the video and then let the mix of music from the mid-60’s to early 70’s continue playing. Brought back to many happy, and some sad, memories.  One of the songs that played was Donovan Leitch’s “Colours,” a song I adored then and still adore now. I get lost in the peaceful lyrics, the lovely simplicity of the folk guitar accompaniment and Donovan's hauntingly beautiful voice.  The song was released in 1965 and, 54 years later, is still a classic. I have played it over and over since “rediscovering” it. The lyrics are shared near the end of the post.

 

Here’s a link to the YouTube video (version without harmonica): 

Donovan’s “Colours” 1965  

 

And here’s an incredible live version of the song with Pete Seeger sitting in on banjo: 

Donovan "Colours" 1966

Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday

 

 

Christmas will soon be here.  As anyone who browses the internet know, there are millions and millions of gifts out there, many of which are mass produced in sweatshop conditions.  But there is always another option: BUY HANDMADE! I love this very timely and true quote by J. Donald Walters:

 

 

When you buy something made by a person, there is something special there. And you do feel it. The consciousness with which the thing is made is often more important than the thing itself.

 

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 5

 

 

Week 5 of the Countdown to Christmas whizzed right on by and a wide variety of unique artisan handmade items were left behind.  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, Christmas will be here in only 62 days!!! Looking to start your Christmas shopping?  The Countdown is the perfect place to do just that! A good motto to follow: shop early, shop often! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!

 

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 1

 

 

WOW, wasn't last Christmas like . . . last month? Yikes!  According to the Christmas clock, there is only 90 days, 22 hours, 30 minutes and those quickly descending seconds (as of 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning) until Christmas is here . . . once again!  And it's even closer by the time your read this "Make it an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 1" blog post!

Handmade for Mother's Day - Three for Thursday

 

 

Being a handmade artist myself, I have always loved this quote:  

 

 

You can't buy LOVE, but you can buy HANDMADE . . .  and that's kind of the same thing.

 

 

Handmade artists put a great amount of heart and soul and love into their pieces.  So, in my humble opinion, you ARE buying love. Each of the three items from three artists featured below put a LOT of themselves into each piece.  I hope you enjoy these fabulous beauties. And remember: Mother’s Day will be here soon!

Terrific Turquoise - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

 

 

Since I live in the Desert Southwest, turquoise is a definite favorite of people, both the gemstone itself and the color.  Turquoise is a shade of blue that lies on the color scale between blue and green. It has psychological characteristics associated with both of those colors:  the calmness of blue and the growth that is represented in green. Turquoise is said to be a color that balances blue, green and yellow, linking it to emotional balance. It is a color promotes a feeling of serenity and stability.  I don’t know about you, but whenever I work with turquoise, I do feel a great sense of peace and calmness.

 

Terrific Turquoise is the theme of today’s Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade blog.  Each artisan handmade item selected uses the color turquoise (or even the gemstone itself) as a major part of the design or as a beautiful accent.  Most of these beauties are one of a kind designs and all are made from the heart.  I hope you enjoy these handmade creations using the color turquoise.

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