CHRISTMAS IN JULY
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Handmade by Artisans - Three for Thursday
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!).
Bohemian Rhapsody - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
It’s amazing how often my blogs are inspired by music. As you have probably noticed, music is, and always has been, a huge part of my life. For some reason, I have been listening quite a bit to the complete soundtrack to the Lord of the Rings movies. Heroic music for an awesome trilogy! It ended (for the umpteenth time) and I switched to my Pandora station. And . . . Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen started the mix of music. The song, which was released in 1975, instantly took me back to a time at university when several friends and I developed a Bohemian Rhapsody skit . . . and performed it at a university talent show! Am sure the skit was absolutely, undeniably horrible. But whenever I hear the song, it takes me back to all the hard work and laughter as we pulled the antics of the skit together. Am sure there is a photo or two around, but I have no idea where they are.
Botanical Beauties - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
BOTANICAL: pertaining to plants
Many people think that the desert is nothing but prickly plants and blowing sand. Believe me, there are plenty of prickly plants here in the Chihuahuan Desert, and, at times, plenty of blowing sand. But there are a whole host of other plants that bloom beautifully and are much more friendly to the skin. The Chihuahuan Desert is termed a "cold desert" since temperatures often drop below freezing during the winter with occasional snowfall. It is, on average, higher in altitude (El Paso is at 3800 ft / 1200 m) than the neighboring “hot” Sonoran Desert around Tucson (2643 ft / 806 m) which rarely experiences freezing temperatures. While Tucson and Phoenix bake for several months with triple digits, summer temperatures in the Chihuahuan desert are more moderate, our hottest month being June. Triple digits, yes, but for only a few weeks. Rainfall averages less than 10" per year, most of that coming during the monsoon season, normally July through mid-September. Amazingly, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature has indicated that the Chihuahuan Desert may be the most biologically diverse desert in the world! Our plants just tend to be built on a smaller scale than those found in the Sonoran Desert.
Countdown to Mother's Day - Handmade Gifts - Week 2
Julie and Blu of Blue Morning Expressions are once again hosting the popular "Mother's Day Countdown” on their BluPrint blog. Last year's Mother's Day Countdown 2016 was a resounding success so a 2017 version, which started last week, is up and running. Mother's Day will be here before we all know it! Now is the perfect time to start browsing gift ideas and buying that perfect gift(s) for your Mum. Any one of the handmade (many of which are one of a kind) and vintage items shared this week are perfect. Visit the shops of the artists featured and buy Mum something that was handmade from the heart or that will re-live as a vintage piece.
Autumn Oranges and Browns - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Even though the temperatures are still getting in the upper-80's to mid-90's here in the Borderlands region, the nights are dropping down into the mid-60's at night. Autumn is definitely in the air! I have noticed some of the leaves on some of the bushy sumac trees are beginning to turn. Due to lack of rain or the shorter days? Probably both. But it is nice to see the slide into my favorite time of the year.
First Handmade Item, Second Page - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
I just got back from a week stay in Dallas yesterday afternoon, a long 10 hour drive with my four-footed copilot, Seamus. As you can probably imagine, the city is still reeling due to the sniper who shot and killed five policemen during a peaceful rally. Residents of Dallas kept apologizing to me for what happened. Many are truly grieving at the insult. I told most of them that there was no need to apologize - that with the crazy world we live in now, the shooting could have taken place anywhere . . . unfortunately. My heart and soul goes out to the families that are left behind and to the policemen and other people who are left dealing with the horrible aftermath. And my heart and soul goes out to the families of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and the many others around the nation who have been unjustly shot and killed by the very men who are supposed to be there to protect us.
Peacefully Pink - Wonderful Handmade Wednesday on Indiemade
Even though the color pink is not a favorite color, I have come to respect it. That came about when I read an article stating that a person can sell more at handmade art shows if they wear a pastel pink colored shirt. In color psychology, light pink is a positive color inspiring warm, comforting thoughts and is a sign of peace and hope. According to the article, when you wore pink, people found you more thoughtful and insightful and you were more trusted. The author, who sold at shows, swore by wearing pink and said her sales definitely increased once she made the change.
As a Child I Walked - Handmade Greens on Indiemade
Several weekends ago, I was driving by a second hand book store that is run by the local library. Those that know me well know that I am an avid reader - am often at my most happiest when reading a good book with Seamus snoozing by my side. Since the bookstore was open, the Dog Mobile swerved into the parking lot and I walked into the store. It didn’t take me long to find a stack of books that HAD to go home with me, an eclectic mixture to be sure.
Dazzling Handmade Gifts for Shop Small Saturday and CyberMonday!
With Thanksgiving almost here, Shop Small Saturday and CyberMonday are not far behind. This year, think about giving a handmade gift, whether it's an antique hand crafted beauty or a piece designed much more recently. Many creations are one of a kind, with each artist putting more than a bit of her heart and soul into each piece. A wide range of handmade gift ideas are featured, two from each artist. The first item shown has festive red in it, maybe more of a gift to wear during the holidays. The second choice is a piece that can be worn every day.
Dazzling Handmade Picks for Black Friday Shopping
For millions of people, Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is the time to do serious Christmas shopping. In the United States, it’s one of the the major shopping days of the year. It’s not an official holiday although many people have that day off . . . except if you work in retail.
