Blog entry

Make It an Artisan Handmade Christmas - 2022 - Week 7

It is so hard to believe (at least to me - how about you?) that this is the first day of November . . . . and that we have only 5 more weeks of the Countdown to Christmas 2022!  It’s also hard to believe that Christmas will be here before we know it.  According to the ever ticking Christmas clock, there are only 53 days until jolly Santa Claus drops down that chimney and either leaves wonderful gifts or lumps of coal for deserving or not-so-deserving boys and girls.  Since Christmas is less than two months away, 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, please BUY HANDMADE from small indie business owners!  Since everything is handmade from the heart, we truly appreciate each and every order!

Western Hills UMC Autumn Bazaar - Saturday, October 8, 2022

After a two year hiatus due to Covid, the Western Hills UMC Autumn Bazaar is back this coming Saturday, October 8!  Hosted by the ladies of the church (for 30+ years now!), over 50 booths of local El Paso artists and other vendors will be there, including Nina Eaton of Nina Eaton Photography, Candy Mayer of Art By Candy Mayer and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs.  Admission is free.  AND, as you can see from the information below, there are many more things going on besides shopping at the vendors booths (my personal favorites are the book sale and Grandma's Attic).  Plus there's a silent auction, door prizes and many other fun things.  All proceeds go towards UMW charities / mission projects.  Please stop by my booth and say "Hi!"  Look forward to seeing you there!

Oldies But Goodies - Unique Artisan Handmade Gifts

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.

Nina Eaton Photography and Shadow Dog Designs - Christmas Open House

This coming Saturday and Sunday (December 4 and 5), SHOP LOCAL by joining Nina Eaton of Nina Eaton Photography and me, Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs, at the annual Christmas Open House at Nina's house, 506 Shadow Willow Drive, El Paso (in the Upper Valley)  If you are finishing your holiday shopping (or haven't even started yet!), need a stocking stuffer or want to pick up something for yourself, stop by for a wide assortment of unique gifts.  Nina will have a wonderful selection of her El Paso photography:  matted and gallery wrap prints, note cards, stone coasters, trivets, calendars, mouse pads, and other photographic beauties.  I'll have a whole host of my mostly one of a kind handmade jewelry:  necklaces, earrings and bracelets - many more designs than are listed in my online shop.  Additionally, the wide selection of Christmas earrings will be 20% off.