Blog entry
Roses in the Desert (with an Iris)
Posted April 19, 2018
When we moved to the Desert Southwest, I was amazed to see how well roses thrive here, pretty much pest free. Most of the roses I have dealt with were when my husband and I lived on the east coast. There the roses were constantly having to be sprayed to try to ward off all sorts of pests and diseases: black spot, powdery mildew, hordes of aphids, armies of Japanese beetles, etc. etc.. Since I try to go organic whenever possible, I did grow roses, but they were the very hardy “nearly wilds” and rugosas. I did occasionally have to spray them but always with an earth friendly solution. So it has been a real pleasure to see all the roses grown here. I, myself, have three in large pots that are blooming up a storm right now.
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Artisan Favorites - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted April 18, 2018
When you buy something handmade 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. J. Donald Walters
I just love browsing through the shops of handmade artist friends. Who knows what new beauties - or old beauties you suddenly see in a brand new light - you will find! Two items from five artists are featured below (myself, included). I hope you enjoy these picks.
Gift Ideas for a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 6
Posted April 17, 2018
Can you believe Week 6 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2018 has already come and gone? Only four more weeks of the Countdown to go, graciously hosted by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions on her The Blu Print blog. This week, seventeen artisans shared a total of 51 beautifully handmade items. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, on Sunday, May 13, this is the perfect time to start making a list of gift ideas / buying a gift for your Mom. Browse the wide range of unique 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.
Handmade Earrings and Necklaces for Mothers Day - New Jewelry by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted April 13, 2018
It has been almost a month since I last shared my newest Shadow Dog Designs handmade necklaces and earrings. Where does the time go? Most of my time has been spent getting ready for art shows and then selling at art shows. My first was last weekend, the Kermezaar Art Festival, with two more big shows this month. Fortunately my stock of jewelry is pretty good, but I always like to have at least a few new things for each show. Will continue with creating new pieces as soon as this is posted.
Spring Colors! - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted April 4, 2018
Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! Sitting Bull
With spring definitely here in the Borderlands, I have been thinking about colors quite a bit as the brown of the desert bursts into so many glorious shades of green. The white and pink fruit trees have pretty much quit blooming, so the various shrubs, hardy trees, ocotillo, cactus and poppies will add their beautiful spring colors: yellow, pinks, oranges, reds, purples and others all against the huge dark blue sky. My soul revives!
Gift Ideas for a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 4
Posted April 3, 2018
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Can you believe that four weeks of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2018, hosted by Julie of Blue Morning Expressions on her The Blu Print blog, have come already come and gone? Eighteen artists shared a total of 54 items. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it, on Sunday, May 13, this is the perfect time to start making a list of gift ideas / 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.
Handmade by Artisans - Three for Thursday
Posted March 29, 2018
Two weeks have come and gone . . . and here it is time again for another Three for Thursday blog post. Three for Thursday posts feature three handmade items from three artists. If you look back at previous posts, you will see that the items chosen celebrate a wide variety of artistic skill. That includes the artists you’ll find this week: eye catching manga and dog figurines by Sam of Shinrin Studio; colorful crocheted accessories and plushies by Michele of Starrfish Studio; and, fun dog themed beauties from Donna of SewAmazin (my dog, Seamus, has several of Donna's dog bandanas - he looks VERY handsome in them!).
COLORS! - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Posted March 21, 2018
I love this quote by the artist Edvard Munch: “The colors live a remarkable life of their own after they have been applied to the canvas.” I can’t imagine life without colors, from the bold and brilliant to the soft and subdued. The magnificence of a field of wildflowers would be lost, along with a blazing sunset and the colors of a hummingbird and a Renoir painting. I truly feel sorry for people who can only see a small amount of color . . . or none at all.
The theme of this week’s Wonderful andmade Wednesday on Indiemade blog is “COLORS!” The beautiful colors used to create the artisan handmade pieces shown below definitely have a life of their own after they were worked into the design. Enjoy!
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.
Artisan Handmade Beauties - Three for Thursday
Posted March 15, 2018
Today’s Three for Thursday blog, featuring three items from three handmade artists, is a feast for the eyes - a wide range of colorful beauties. The three artists are: Jo of Umeboshi Jewelry Designs who creates glittering, eye catching dichroic glass jewelry; Sharon of RavensBendFolkArt who hand paints whimsical folk art designs; and Colleen of Colleen Cornelius who loves to take photographs of “rust, dust and nature.” I hope you enjoy each and every one of the unique selections below.
