Blog entry
Flora and Fauna - Artisan Handmade
Posted June 25, 2020
The Earth is such a beautiful place to live on, if we just take the time to look and observe. No matter where we go, unique plants and animals can be found, two very important parts of any ecosystem. I’ve been lucky to have lived in many places and many different ecosystems, from Central Texas to North Carolina, from near Georgian Bay in Canada to a forest in Northern Virginia, from North Texas to an island in South Carolina. Now I live in the gorgeous Desert Southwest. The flora and fauna of each place was awe-inspiring - some the same but, most often, very different. Since I love what Mother Nature has to offer, I find it all VERY, VERY interesting and want to keep on learning about how our wonderful Earth functions . . . and what we need to do to heal it.
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Hot Summer Reds, Oranges and Yellows - Artisan Handmade
Posted June 11, 2020
Even though summer hasn’t officially arrived - that will happen on June 20 - it has been summer here in the Borderlands for several weeks now. And it looks quite warm in many areas in the U.S. So I made a call to artist friends to share some “hot” handmade items with me to be included in this blog. You’ll find LOTS of fiery colored items in red, yellows and oranges, beauties that can be worn all summer long. If something catches your eye and you want more information, please click on the item photo or the link below the picture to be taken to the artist’s shop. I hope you enjoy all the sizzling hot items!
Julia's Roses (And A Few Irises)
Posted May 10, 2020
My good friend, Julia, `spent many years creating a most amazing rose garden in her backyard. They are her “babies” and she spends many enjoyable hours working in the garden, talking to the roses and inhaling their heady scentswhen blooming. She also communes with the wondrous nature that is all around. However, in years past, she’s wasn't at home when the roses were in full bloom. She would fly to Bolivia for three months in the spring (autumn in Bolivia) to visit her brother and other relatives in the town where she grew up. I always felt sad for Julia when she was away, knowing how she was missing her amazing rose show. I’d go to her house, take photos of the roses, blog about them and then email her the link. But that definitely wasn’t anything like being in her garden to enjoy the beauty each bush provided
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 7
Posted April 21, 2020
Week 7 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020 flew right on by . . . and in it's wake, 36 handmade items were left from 12 artists. The Countdown is hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their 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.
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 5
Posted April 7, 2020
Another week of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020 has come and gone - Week 5 already!!! Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their Blu Print blog, Thirty-three unique handmade items were shared from 11 artists. Each one will make a memorable gift for Mom on Mother’s 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). Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 5, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beautiful gift that was handmade from the heart.
Make It a Handmade Mothers Day - Week 3
Posted March 24, 2020
It's been over a week now since my husband and I decided to really get serious about social distancing due to COVID-19. I keep hearing how people are bored and have nothng to do. Not true in my case. I keep VERY busy! Now that we're in the Upside Down, I realized - except for yoga and working out at the YWCA for an hour each weekday, eating out with friends now and then, and doing art shows - my life, once I started creating jewelry and selling online, always had a lot of social distancing. And I bet a lot of my artist friends are the same way. OK, enough of that. I just want everyone to stay safe and healthy out there!
Week 3 of the Mother’s Day Countdown 2020 seemed to blow right by. Hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, 30 unique handmade items were shared from 10 artists - 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 beauty that was handmade from the heart.
It's an Artisan Handmade Christmas - Week 2
Posted October 1, 2019
Week 2 of the Countdown to Christmas 2019 has come and gone . . . and unique handmade and vintage items have been left in its wake. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there is only 84 days, 23 hours, 5 minutes and those quickly descending seconds (as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning) until Christmas is here . . . once again! Need a perfect start to your Christmas shopping? The Countdown is the place to do just that! A good motto to follow: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE!
New Jewelry - Handmade Earrings and Necklaces by Shadow Dog Designs
Posted September 12, 2019
It has been quite a while since I shared new, one of a kind necklace and earrings designs. The autumn show season has started and it seems I’m making new items, setting up at shows, selling at shows and packing up from shows. So my Shadow Dog Designs online shop hasn’t seen a whole lot of new handmade items posted lately - and many that were posted have sold. But I wanted to share the five newest pieces, plus three that are fairly new and one Halloween and one Christmas design. To see more information about individual items, either click on the photograph or the link under the photo - both will take you to the item in the shop. I hope you enjoy looking . . . and maybe buying!
Colors for Autumn - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted September 5, 2019
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.
Oldies But Definitely Goodies - Unique Artisan Handmade
Posted July 31, 2019
Whenever someone mentions “Oldies But Goodies,” most people think of old songs, vintage cars, antique furniture or, possibly, themselves (after - ahem - a certain age). “Oldies But Goodies” can also refer to items in handmade shops that have been around for longer than we would like. Whenever something is created and then listed in our shops, we always think it will sell right away. But, for whatever reason, the beauty sits there . . . and sits there . . . and sits there some more. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that particular item - not at all! It just hasn’t found that forever person to give it a forever home.
I asked artisan friends to share two items from their shops that they considered “oldies but goodies.” Many of the items are one of a kind creations and would make a perfect gift for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas, or just because . . . I hope something catches your eye and that you visit the shops of the artists below.
