Blog entry
Perfect Pink Pretties for Valentines Day - Artisan Handmade
Posted February 6, 2020
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, in just over a week, and the colors of Valentine’s Day - red, pink and white - are seen everywhere. Why these particular colors ??? Through the ages, red represents passionate love, beauty, courage and respect. White symbolizes true love, innocence, purity and charm. Since pink is a combination of red and white, taking the properties of both colors, it reveals a gentler, kinder love, perfect happiness, tenderness and grace.
Since pink is such a beautiful and meaningful combination of red and white, I decided to pull together a blog, “Perfect Pink Pretties for Valentine’s Day,” featuring a wide range of handmade gifts using pink as a major palette in the designs. You'll find most of these items are not your "traditional" Valentine's inspired gifts. And that's OK! It means they can be worn longer, sometimes year round, and not just for Valentine's Day itself. I hope you find something for your loved one . . . something that's a perfect pink pretty!
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Christmas in July - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted July 18, 2019
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.
Spring Flowers - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted May 16, 2019
Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower . . . John Harrigan
If you are a flower gardener (like I am) and grow many flowers from seeds, you truly understand the above statement. So much beauty is bound up in a single flower seed which, like magic, can transform into a breathtaking flower. I find happiness in just holding flower seeds and dreaming of the infinite possibility of what they will become. And when that magic happens - a seedling appears, a plant grows, a bud unfurls and a flower faces the sun - I am truly happy, awe struck and humbled. And if I can share those flowers with family and friends, so much the better.
Delicate Easter Colors - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday
Posted March 7, 2019
Easter is a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.
Janine di Giovanni
Since yesterday was Ash Wednesday - and Easter is approximately six weeks away - I started thinking about Easters past, always large gatherings of family and friends. But, before everyone showed up at our house, we went to Easter Sunrise mass, the only time my father was ever cajoled into going to church. As a child, I always remember getting a new Easter dress, usually with a matching headband, socks and gloves(!) to wear to church on Easter Sunday. And if my sister and I were lucky, a small purse would be included. Very stylish, indeed, and usually VERY itchy! The clothes were always spring pastel in color: pinks, pale yellows, pale greens, pale blues and such. A preview of all the pastel colored Easter eggs that were waiting to be found!
This week’s Three for Thursday features three items from three handmade artists that definitely are filled with the renewal of Easter springtime colors. The artists are: jewelry artist Mary of PrettyGonzo; crochet artist Pamela of MagdaleneKnits; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs, also a jewelry artist. I hope you enjoy my choices. And be sure to visit the artists’ shops for more splendiferous designs!
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 12
Posted December 11, 2018
Tick . . . tick . . . tick. According to the Christmas clock, there are now only 13 (!!!) days until Christmas! It’s hard to believe that December is already here and, with it, the last week of the Countdown to Christmas 2018. The Countdown has been graciously hosted by Julie and Blue of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog. Yes, week 12 has come and gone and 45 artisan handmade and vintage items from 15 artists were left in its wake, any of which will be perfect for a Christmas gift that was individually handmade from the heart. Help Santa make it a HANDMADE Christmas this year!
Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 5
Posted October 23, 2018
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!
Artisan Handmade for a Spooky Halloween!
Posted August 30, 2018
Halloween - the day of trick or treaters in creepy (or cute) costumes, grinning skulls, Jack O’ Lantern pumpkins, spooky ghosts and other notorious beast - will soon be here. But even weeks before October 31, it’s fun to wear spooky accessories or decorate the home for Halloween. With that in mind, I decided to pull together some spine-tingling jewelry and other items from handmade artists, each one perfect to help celebrate that supernatural day of the year. I hope you enjoy these choices and will visit the shops of the talented artists featured for more amazing handmade beauties, shuddersome or not!
Gift Ideas for a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 2
Posted March 20, 2018
What wonderful handmade beauties were shared this week on the Mother’s Day Countdown 2018 - Week 2, hosted by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions on her The Blu Print blog. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, on May 13, this is the perfect time to start thinking about (and buying a gift) for your Mom. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for this week - many of them one of a kind designs - visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom something that was handmade from the heart.
