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Colors for Autumn - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

 

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.

We Have the Blues - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

Blues is a tonic for whatever ails you. I could play the blues and then not be blue anymore.

B. B. King


 

Even though the above quote by B. B. King is about music, it can also be about the color blue.  According to psychologists, the popularity of the color may take root in our evolutionary development. In the early hunter-gatherer days, those drawn to positive things - like clear blue skies and clean blue hued water were more likely to survive.  Over time, this preference for the color blue may have become hard-wired. To this day, the color blue is still a favorite color worldwide.

Christmas in July - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Autumn Artisan Handmade Gift Ideas - Three for Thursday

 

 

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.

Autumn Beauties - Artisan Handmade Three for Thursday

 

 

“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower” . . . Albert Camus


 

Even though it still is getting into the low 90’s here in the Desert Southwest, the mornings have begun to fill with the glorious tentacles of autumn.  Everyone I know wants to linger as long as they can outside, sipping their coffee or tea, reading the newspaper, or, like me, just sitting and taking it all in.  Not as many hummingbirds are practicing gluttony at the hummingbird feeders. Am assuming many are winging their way further south for the coming winter. I’ll miss them - a bittersweet goodbye.  Fall is just around the corner.

Artisan Favorites - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade

 

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.

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