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Blog entry
Oldies But Goodies - Unique Artisan Handmade Gifts
Posted July 5, 2022
Whenever someone says “Oldies But Goodies,” most people think of old songs (especially from a jukebox - remember those?), vintage cars, lots of items on the Antiques Roadshow or, possibly, themselves (after . . . *ahem* . . . a certain age). However the term, “Oldies But Goodies,” also refers to items in our artisan handmade shops that have been around for longer than the artist who made it would like. Whenever something is created and then listed in our shops, we always think it will sell right away. Some do. But, for whatever reason, some beauties sit there . . . and sit there . . . and sit 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 handmade 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, an anniversary, for Christmas, or just because . . . I hope something catches your eye and that you visit the shops of the artists below. And that many of the “oldie” items find a loving home.
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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!
Animalia - Handmade Animal Inspired Gifts
Posted February 16, 2022
As most of my friends know, I adore animals - always have and always will - in all their glorious shapes and sizes and colors life story. Well, ttruthfully, I’m not too fond of mosquitos and ticks, despite their important role on this earth. Besides dogs and horses, it’s hard for me to pick out a favorite animal. I'm fascinated by all of them. How about you?
But just what is the term “animalia?” ANIMALIA: a taxonomic kingdom comprising all multicellular living and extinct animals - also called “metazoa.”
According to the Animal Diversity Web, it estimated that around 9 to 10 million species of animals inhabit the earth. Metazoa range in size from no more than a few cells - such as the parasitic orthonectids - to organisms weighing many tons - such as blue whales and giant squid. By far, insects make up the most species in animalia, with approximately 5.5 million species.
Having such a life-long love of (most) animals, I decided that a blog based on “Animalia” would be fun to pull together. I invited artist friends to share two handmade items that were based on animals. What a wide variety of beauties were shared, many one of a kind designs. If something catches your eye, please make sure to either click the photo or the link below the picture for more information. I hope you enjoy this showcase of animal art!
Fall Fun - Artisan Handmade
Posted September 11, 2021
“Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been
saving up all year for the grand finale.”
Lauren DeStefano
For many, many people, fall is a favorite time of the year, when the heat of summer dissipates into the coolness of autumn and the deciduous trees are a riot of color. Here in the Desert Southwest, the temperatures are still reaching the mid-90’s during the day. But the temps in the morning are dipping into the mid-60’s, a glorious reminder that the first cool front will blow through any day now. A perfect time for gardening. And just to sit and watch the grand finale . . . and to just be . . .
Make It A Handmade Mothers Day - Week 2
Posted March 16, 2021
Week 2 of the Countdown to Mother's Day 2021, hosted by Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions on their the Blu Print blog, quickly came and went. A total of 33 unique items were shared - each one a perfect Mother’s Day gift - from 11 handmade artists. Since Mother's Day will be here before you know it - about 8 weeks from now - this is the perfect time to start thinking about and buying a gift(s) for your Mom, Grandmother and other loves ones. Browse all the wonderful handmade shares for Week 2, visit the shops of the artists featured and buy your Mom a beauty that was handmade from the heart.
Got the Blues! - Artisan Handmade Jewelry
Posted July 23, 2020
Research shows that the most popular color in the world is blue. A survey conducted in 10 countries across four continents shows that one color – blue – is the most popular across the board, 8-18 points ahead of any other color. This includes gender. Men picked it as their favorite color more often than women, but blue was still picked as a favorite by more women than any other color. Blue is also a favorite across racial groups, age groups and - even in the U.S. - political groups.
Blue is also very popular as a major design color when making necklaces, earrings and bracelets, as you can see in the nine pieces of jewelry chosen to feature in “Got the Blues! - Artisan Handmade” The handmade artists who created the jewelry are: Julie and Harry of Blue Morning Expressions; Kathy of KatsAllThat; and, me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy these selections of blue. Please be sure to visit the shops of the artists featured for more handmade jewelry in many glorious colors, not just blue.
New Jewelry Handmade by Shadow Dog Designs - Christmas Gifts
Posted December 4, 2019
It has been quite a while since I shared my newest designs. I've been so busy adding new items in my Shadow Dog Designs handmade jewelry shop to take the place of all the necklaces and earrings sold at shows, that I haven’t even thought about blogging about them . . . until now. You’ll find a wide range of one of a kind designs, including four new pairs of Christmas earrings. I hope you enjoy these new pieces . . . and that one (or more) of them might end up under the Christmas tree for a loved one - or for yourself!
Autumn Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday
Posted November 8, 2018
According to the calendar, we're about ½ way through autumn, the favorite time of year for many people. I live in the Desert Southwest and most people don’t associate the desert with fall color. But we have it! Granted not as eye catching as the forests in along the East Coast or the aspens in many places in the Rockies. Color is here, nonetheless: glowing yellows and reds and purples of the deciduous trees. And my amazing cosmos are looming up a storm with carmine reds, pale pinks and glowing white. The hummingbirds left about a month ago (always sad to see them go) but new migrant birds are showing up, especially the cheerful little juncos. Am waiting for the beautiful blue scrub jays with their raucous calls and jaunty attitudes to show up under the bird feeders.
Necklaces and Earrings - New Jewelry from Shadow Dog Designs
Posted July 29, 2018
That's the thing with handmade items. They still have the person's mark on them, and when you hold them, you feel less alone.
Aimee Bender, The Color Master: Stories
I love the idea that when you hold a handmade item, that you feel less alone. I hope that everyone who wears a piece of my handmade jewelry feels that way! The one of a kind jewelry definitely has my “mark” with many good wishes and peaceful intentions added.
