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Valentines Day Gifts: Artisan Handmade or Designed - Week 4, 2026

Just a warning:  Valentine's Day is just a kittle over one week away, Saturday, February 14!  In case you still need a gift for the big day, Week 4 of the Valentine’s gift blog on Shadow Dog Designs features artisan handmade / designed beauties.  Each piece makes a wonderful gift for your loved one with traditional and non-traditional Valentine's designs included.  Even better yet, many of the artisan items can be worn / used all year long!  If something catches your eye, be sure to click either the photo or the description below the photo to be taken to the item in the artistan's shop.  Be sure to also browse all the other wonders in the shops!  To see all of the gift ideas in one place, here’s a link: Valentine's Day Gifts: Artisan Handmade or Designed - 2026.   ALL of the gifts shared here were created by small business owners.  Please be sure to SHOP SMALL this Valentine's Day and support an indie artist.  We will certainly appreciate that!!!

Make It an Artisans Mothers Day - Week 3 Gifts - 2025

Where did Week 3 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2025 go?  It was here . . . and then, quite quickly, it was gone.  The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog.  This week, 27 handmade / designed items from 9 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 11 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 in your life . . . and don't forget 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 3, 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!  Shop Small this year for Mother's Day!

Here are my picks from all the wonderful items left for Week 3:

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 4 Favorites - 2024

Who would have believed how quickly Week 4 of the Countdown to Christmas 2024 went by . . . but here we are!  Left in its wake is a wide variety of wonderful artisan handmade / designed items.  According to the ever ticking Your Christmas Countdown Clock, there are only 70 days until St. Nick pays a visit to let you know of you have been naughty or nice.  With the rapidly approaching gift giving season, Julie and her faithful sidekick, Handsome Harry, are hosting a twelve-week Countdown to Christmas 2024 of artisan handmade items on their Buy Handmade from Makers blog, part of their Blue Morning Expressions Shopify shop.  This week, there were 36 shares from 12 artists featuring a wide range of gifts:  unique jewelry designs, custom dog portraits, photographic and digital art, home decor, gift tags and stickers, tote bags, t-shirts and a host of other beauties.  If you need a perfect start (or ending) to your Christmas shopping, the Countdown is the place to do just that!  An excellent motto to follow is: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN.  And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses!

Each week during the 12 week Countdown, I pick a favorite item from each artist (hard to do!) and feature them here on my blog.  These are my favorites for Week 4:  

Christmas in July 2024 - Artisan Handmade Gifts - Week 4

Well, here we are a bit more than halfway through July and Week 4 of the Christmas in July 2024 is posted.  It’s never too early to start shopping for unique holiday gifts for a loved one since Santa and his reindeer will be here sooner than we think right now.  There are only 159 days to the big day (from when this blog was posted) according to the ever ticking CHRISTMAS CLOCK.  

Artist friends were asked to participate in a “Christmas in July” promotion, sharing three of their favorite items - one that was “Christmasy” (in design or colors, etc.) and two others that didn’t have to be.  The first week was only Christmas items - the weeks since have been a mixture.  There is only one more week to go, Week 5.  Since many of these beauties are one of a kind, be sure to shop early (and often) so you don’t miss out.  And please visit the shops of the artists for even more wonderful items that are handmade or designed from the heart.  Hopefully items featured here or in the shops will make it into your shopping basket.  Buy for a loved one . . . and be sure to treat yourself!   Remember:  SHOP SMALL and SHOP HANDMADE!