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Hot Summer Fun - Artisan Handmade Gifts
Posted June 9, 2022
It’s hard to believe that we are already through a good part of the first week of June with most of the scorching summer still ahead of us - even though it’s not yet “officially” summer (June 21 at 3:14 a.m. MDT this year). Up until the last few days, summer here in the Desert Southwest has been relatively mild. BUT the triple digits have finally set in and the AC seems to run continuously. As everyone says: at least it’s a dry heat! June is usually our hottest month. And then the monsoon season sets in where we get most of the 9” of rain that is normal for this part of the desert. Everyone is praying that the rains do start soon on schedule, normally at the end of June. For the past several years, a big storm has shown up on the 4th of July where we can enjoy Mother Nature’s fireworks - and then the scheduled fireworks once the storm blows through, all from the comfort of our upstairs porch. Hope that happens again this year since it’s quite spectacular.
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Heavenly Hollyhocks in the Desert Southwest
Posted May 26, 2022
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) have always been a flower dear to my heart. Can't explain why besides they have such a beautifully majestic look to them (at least to me) as they sway in the wind. According to information I've read, they are biennials, taking two years to bloom (although you can't always believe what's written since these seeded last summer and are blooming now). Hollyhocks are originally from Asia, grown in ancient China by wealthy people. They spread to the Middle East through trade routes and then were carried to western Europe by returning Crusaders from the Holy Land. The Latin name of the hollyhock plant, Alcea, is derived from altho the Greek word for healer. In Greek Mythology, Althea is a beautiful goddess of healing and compassion, family, marriage and protection. The flowers were used as a diuretic, a laxative, an emollient and in anti-inflammatory treatments. Rosea is Latin for for rose, rosy or pink. The common name, hollyhock, is a combination of two words — holy and hock. Holy refers to the healing powers of the plant and that it was brought to Europe from the Holy Land. Hock is an Old English word which means mallow. Hollyhocks made their way to the United States in colonial times in seed packets carried by immigrants. They symbolize the circle of life and abundance and were traditionally planted near the front door to welcome prosperity.
Unique Handmade Necklaces and Earrings by Shadow Dog Designs - Jewelry
Posted May 18, 2022
"Jewelry is a very personal thing . . . it should tell a story about the person who’s wearing it"
Garance Daré
I love the quote above by Garance Daré since it is so true. Jewelry IS a very personal thing. It can range from very traditional jewelry to jewelry that is uniquely boho; from mass produced to individually handmade pieces. I LOVE making unique jewelry! Necklaces and earrings, as you can see in this post, that definitely lean to the fun, boho side and are mostly one of a kind (with the excepton of a few pairs of Christmas earrings). Featured here are ten pieces of the newest jewelry in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS, six pairs of earrings and four pendant necklaces. If something catches your eye and you want more information and more photos, be sure to click the photo or short description to be taken to the item in my shop. Enjoy!
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 9
Posted May 3, 2022
Watch out! Mother’s Day will be here very, very soon - in fact, this coming Sunday, May 8. It’s still not too late to order a handmade gift (do it now!) from the beauties shared this week on the Mother's Day Countdown 2022. The Countdown was hosted again this year by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their The Blu Print blog. Hard to believe this is the last weelk of the Countdown! Despite that, 9 handmade artisans shared a total of 27 wonderfully unique items. Browse the wide range of eye catching 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! By shopping small, you'll also support a small indie business.
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 8
Posted April 26, 2022
If you haven't started shopping for Mother's Day gifts, you are quickly running out of time!!! Just a little less than two weeks from now and the big day for Mom will be here. To help you in your searches for the perfect item, check out the Mother's Day Countdown 2022 - Week 8. It is a collection filled with unique artisan items, all handmade from the heart and most one of a kind. Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog, each of the unique items, 30 beauties from 10 artists, will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. This is the perfect time to start buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items on the Countdown go quick so don't miss out. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 8, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was HANDMADE. Also you'll be supporting a small indie artist!
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 7
Posted April 19, 2022
Week 7 of the Countdown to Mothers Day 2022 flew right on by . . . and in it's wake, 27 handmade items were left from nine talented artists. The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog. Each unique tem will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items go quick, and, since many are one of a kind, don't miss out! Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 7, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart. And, please support a small indie business!
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 6
Posted April 12, 2022
Where did Week 6 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2022 go? It was here . . . and then was gone. The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog. This week, 27 handmade items from 9 artists were shared. Each unique tem will make a memorable gift for Mom on her day. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom - and, perhaps, for yourself! These items go quick, 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. And you'll be supporting an independent artist!
One of a Kind Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted April 7, 2022
Here it is already a week into the month of April, with Easter being celebrated soon (on April 17) and Mother's Day shortly afterwards (May 8). With that in mind, I want to share eleven of the newest earrings and necklaces in my SHADOW DOG DESIGNS jewelry shop. Each piece is designed and handmade by me mainly using components from individual artists located all over the world - making these beauties all one of a kind designs. Why wear mass produced when you can wear something that only you have!?! So, please, take a look. You'll find styles for the woman with a boho flair, a wide variety of earrings for the animal lover, yoga jewelry and more. If something catches your eye and you want more information or to look at more pictures, click on the photo or the description beneath the picture and you'll be taken to the item in my shop. I also want to point out that for anything in my shop, there is now free shipping (U.S. only) running through Mother's Day. I hope you truly enjoy the unique necklaces and earrings featured.
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 4
Posted March 29, 2022
It's hard to believe that week 4 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2022 has come and gone and it's almost April and Easter will be here in three weeks. The Mother's Day Countdown 2022, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, is a place artistsans come together and share three of their unique items. This week 9 handmade artists shared a total of 27 lovely items - each one a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day. Since the big day will be here before you know it - about 6 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 4, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a unique beauty that was artisan handmade from the heart. This year, Make it a Handmade Mother's Day!
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day 2022 - Week 3
Posted March 22, 2022
Week 3 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2022 seemed to blow right on by (where do the days go???). Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, 27 unique handmade items from 9 artists were shared on the Countdown - each one a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day. Since the big day will be here before you know it - about 7 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 3, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a unique beauty that was artisan handmade from the heart. Be sure to buy handmade this Mother's Day and support a small indie business!
