artist trading cards

I have found doing these really opens up my creative juices, plus it's fun because you have artist pen pals! I joined Sister Trading Cards: stc c/o Cat Schick; 246 23rd av NW; Calgary,AB T2M1S2 Canada. My first batch back is included in this post. Let these spark your creative juices. Just make 3x2 cards and paint, collage, bead, photo collage...Just go nuts and see what happens to all those projects you have been puttting off due to lack of inspirtation!! Let me know what you come up with! Wanna share? xoxoMarie

new "renovated jewels"

Lots of people have been asking for party jewels, and just plain glittery gems for weddings, dinner dates, and a little sparkle for jeans...So I have come up with a small grouping and I wanted to preview them here first..so here goes..If you see something you like, don't hesitate to email me..I will also do custom work using your own special momentos, or color choices. Hope you like them as much as I do. xoxo Marie PS Available on mariefrench.etsy.com, the first week of May.

finally! spring has sprung.....

Wow-It has taken forever...But finally Spring has sprung. Here are the pictures to prove it! Better late than never. Hope these spark your spring fever as they did me on my morning walk.!!

Thriftin It

I just wanted to let you in on my version of shopping...called "thriftin it"! I try to do some of my shopping from thrift stores, and the like because it's better for the enviroment, it recycles, and most times I love what I find for a price that is affordable. I'll show you some of my finds from my latest adventure. Don't get me wrong I buy full retail too-but when I do that, I tend to go to mom and pops, or retailers and catalogs that give back, and are aligned with good values, and try to make the world a better place. Some of my favorites in that category are Sundance Catalog, Isabella, Patagonia, Eartangelstoys.com, amyhanna.etsy.com...Any how since this post is really about "thriftin it" I should get back on track. When I am thrifting I always tend to look for natural fibers, vintage, good metalwork, chandeliers, and chandelier parts-hard to find these days...vintage jewelry-hard to find, religious medals, and crosses, and rosaries-really hard to find....and cool china and dish wear. Well enough of my "thriftin it" wish list...on with the photos...

cool initials

I discovered these cool monograms at lavanderfields.com they are soo cool...They are about 3" to 4" in height and are wrapped with pearls. They inspired me so that I took old coat hangers and bent them with pliers into my initial M and a heart then put glue on it and sprinkled glass glitter on them. Then I tried the letter F and wrapped it with sequins..well that didn't turn out as well. Use the letters to decorate packages, hang on a wall, use as Christmas tree ornaments....What a great way to recycle! blessings xoxo marie

tidbits about April..

Did you know April, the fourth month of the calender year, means "to open", because it is the month the earth opens to produce new gifts. We can see it it the buds, the daffodils, the crocuses...etc in the North East. It is also a time when our body goes through its own renewel, sloughing off old skin cells, rejuvenating body functions, organs, and processes. To shake off the slough of Winter-think new, rebirth..choose a new attitude..Maybe you want to choose one of these reviving tips...renew and declutter your space. I am doing this by going through the kids room and sorting through old books and donating them to schools, and the libraries. Old clothes tried on and donated. I am going through my clothes and donating them as well. Donating old magazines to doctor offices...Renew your herbal pantry-smell old herbs and spices if there is no smell sprinkle it outside to compost. Renew your skin-use a loofah and rub in circular movements to rub off old man winter. You can also use a yogurt facial , or body exfoliation. just leave on for a few minutes and let it do its magic, then rinse off for a renewed appearance. Renew your body by walking every day that weather permits-it invigorates your mind, your soul, and your body. Renew your mind-"Remember the world rearranges itself to accommodate your picture of reality" I'ts all attitude baby! If you want a good day-think and act from good thoughts-if you want a bad day...well you figure that one out...choose beauty!! Here is a renewel recipe to invigorate your body, mind, and appearance.
Known as the French Spring Tonic Soup
It cleanses the system, reinvigorates it, and helps things along as they say....
Here is the recipe
1 tsp olive oil
2 leeks
3 cups vegetable or chicken stock-your choice
2 cups spinach
2 cups watercress leaves
1 cup brocolli florets
4 scallions
pinch of sea salt
saute leeks in olive oil, add the rest of the veggies, add stock, and boil until mushy. Cool, then puree in a blender. And whala-Green soup-even looks healthy!
Here my blender with the green soup. I'll show you another shot for dinner! Keeps about a week.

creating every day...mandalas

I have found the only way to keep the juices flowing, and to become creative is to do something creative every day. Now, I know as well as you do that every day does not feel creative...but on those days I just draw a mandala. Okay, why a mandala...because it is freehand, takes no thought, I just draw whatever pops into my head, and it gives me a read on what's going on in my head-my predominate underlying mood. Yep-I can source out the root of my creative block, or any block for that matter. So when you are having one of those days, are rushed and feel like you don't have time to create just draw a mandala...you can also color them by pulling up a mandala coloring sheet from the web-just type in mandala..
Here are a few of my mandala scratches...ps...they really are fun to do...And let's say you are feeling poopy...just draw a mandala that signifies beauty, goodness, and light and you know what... soon your thoughts are going in that direction. Keep to beauty, and beauty comes to you....xoxomarie

You asked for it....new jewelry designs..

You have been asking...so here goes....Here are some of the new pieces I designed. I am really excited about them as they give me a real sense of peace, and of wonderful things happening when I made them!! Soon to be in my store mariefrench.etsy.com