Blog entry
Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 5
Posted October 19, 2021
Week 5 of the Countdown to Christmas rushed right on by (the time goes quicker and quicker each week, it seems!), and a huge variety of fabulous artisan handmade items were left in its wake. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 66 days, barely over 2 months, before Jolly Ol’ Santa and his reindeer arrive once again. Now is the perfect time to start your holiday shopping and the Countdown is the perfect place! Remember this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE to support small indie businesses.
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Make It a Handmade Christmas 2021 - Week 4
Posted October 12, 2021
Where did Week 4 of the Countdown to Christmas go? Or for that matter, weeks 1-3??? All four weeks have quickly sped right on by. According to the ever ticking Christmas clock there is only 73 days until Christmas is here again! Now is the perfect time and this is the perfect place to start your holiday shopping. Follow this motto: SHOP EARLY, SHOP OFTEN! And, most of all, SHOP HANDMADE on the Countdown to Christmas 2020 - Week 4 collection of artisan handmade. Help support small, indie shops!
Three for Thursday - Artisan Handmade - September 16, 2021
Posted September 16, 2021
It has been quite a while since I posted a new Three for Thursday . . . and for that please, accept my apologies. It seems the days / weeks / months just fly by. As with all Three for Thursday posts, three items from three handmade artists are featured. This week, a fun combination of items were chosen: upcycled Starbucks coffee bag purses from Sandra of SandraLeesHandbags; hand knit fingerless gloves by Jacki of Christe Cottage; and colorful lampwork glass earrings by me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. If something catches your eye and you want more information and photos, please click the item picture or live link to be taken to the item in the artist’s shop. Enjoy these wonderful picks!
Beautiful Flowers - Artisan Handmade for Spring
Posted February 25, 2021
Photo by James J. Shaw
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.
William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair . . .
Susan Polis Schutz
Summer Flowers - Artisan Handmade - Three for Thursday
Posted June 4, 2020
Summer will soon be here. Despite the (expected) triple digit heat that has set in here in the Desert Southwest, the water wise flowers I planted last year and in the cool of this spring are blooming up a storm. Everyone who knows me really well knows I love to work in my flower beds . . . and am ecstatic at the resulting blooms. So my beautiful flowers are the inspiration for this week’s Three for Thursday where I feature three items from three artists. This week the artists are: Roxanne of watercolorsNmore; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. Enjoy the wide range of floral art. Hopefully one or more of the items will soon be on the way to you!
'Twas the Thursday Before Christmas - Three for Thursday - Handmade
Posted December 19, 2019
Here it is, the Thursday before Christmas with one more weekend to do holiday shopping. Shopping online is still doable if you order now and have the package sent out by USPS Priority Mail. The deadline for Priority Mail shipping is December 21, this Saturday. To help you with those last minute purchases, I wanted to share three unique items from three handmade artists: Mary of PrettyGonzo; Jacki of Christie Cottage; and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs. I hope you enjoy the items chosen today.
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.
Flowers are Food for the Soul - Artisan Handmade
Posted February 28, 2019
Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.
Luther Burbank
I love this quote from Luther Burbank because it’s true! For those who are not familiar with Luther Burbank, he was an American botanist, horticulturist and pioneer in agricultural science, developing more than 800 strains and varieties of plants during his lifetime, including the tasy plumcot (fruit trees being a special passion of his, it seems). One of my favorite things to do doing the winter months was to constantly browse through Stark Bro's and Burpee Seed Co catalogues (both companies sold quite a few of Burbanks’ seeds and plants after his death), planning my flower beds and vegetable gardens. Looking at the brilliant pictures and dreaming of all the flowers and veggies spring, summer and fall would bring made those winters quite a bit easier to bear. Even now, living in the Desert Southwest where the winters are mild in comparison, I still dream of the promise of flowers.
Need Some Love - Artisan Handmade
Posted August 18, 2018
There is something ALL handmade artists go through: you design a beautiful piece of jewelry, or create a fabulous painting, or crochet an intricate piece of table art, or . . . the list goes on and on. You have put so much of yourself into the piece, you love it and you are sure it will sell very, very quickly. Unfortunately, there it still sits in your shop . . . and you have no idea why!
Artisan Handmade Beauties - Three for Thursday
Posted August 16, 2018
My favorite reason to buy handmade is just that - it's handmade, which means quality, and a whole lot of love!
Cammi Higley
I love the quote above from Cammi about handmade . . . because it’s so TRUE! The artists featured in this week’s Three for Thursday blog definitely create quality products, all made with HUGE doses of love. The artists this week are Roxanne of watercolorsNmore who uses watercolors to convey the beauty of Florida; Sue of starspiritstudio who creates amazing rustic terra cotta findings and reclaimed tin earring dangles; and, Sharon of RavensBendFolkArt who paints one of a kind functional items with a whimsical folk art flair. If something catches your eye, please be sure to click on the photo or the link below the picture to be taken to the item for more photos and information. I hope you enjoy the unique artisan handmade items featured below. And remember: BUY HANDMADE!
