off to Texas....

Well I leave for Texas tomorrow to look for houses. Wish us luck! I have sent my prayers forward to open the way, so I am confident we will find what fits our needs. When I get back I will post pictures of the area and hopefully our new home......
Till then...XOXO marie

wow-It's Birthday month

Just as we finished up with Margot's birthday, John's rolls in a day later, then Juliette-now five gets jealous and wants her birthday sooner...so Here you go. The princess turns five, 7 days early....

mariefrench.etsy.com-my new store

It's funny I have been trying to put together a web store for at least three years. I have talked to many web designers, and web site owners...and the reactions good and bad. Some of the comments have been-"It's not worth the money" "Too many ways to get lost", "Good only for promo", "The web is like a business card", "Use it only to show others what your products are".
These are all thoughts I thought myself and for the fee of $2000.00 outlay to set up a site, and at least $24.95+ per month to put in a search engine, it was looking as if it would never be a reality for this mixed media artist.
Alas came Etsy.com. A web mall for artists and anything handmade.LOVE, LOVE,Love it!
So if you have been dreaming of putting up your arts and crafts, and have wanted a webstore-Go to Etsy.
A little about my store.
I have always been drawn to create spiritual art. I have an intense need for the work around me, the jewelry that adorns, the pieces I use to have a spiritual connection because I feel it keeps my thoughts lifted higher, and in this day and age who doesn't need their thoughts lifted higher. So I have consistently created art that reflects this soul need. Even the workshops I teach, and the art lessons I teach the kids have a spiritual component. Spirit to me is my foundation and all I do I hope to grow from this foundation-even this blog.
So now you know why I make this kind of art and adornment, let me explain the quirky situation that brought about the store, and jewelry making. There was synchronicity in finding an old remedy book on one of my hunting and gathering expeditions. I found it in a dusty corner of a thrift store, and well, I took one look and knew it was mine. It wasn't until I started reading it that I found it's true relevance. It was from the 1800's and it listed healing lotions, potions, healing gems, and altar necklace recipes...."HMM", I said now this is right down my alley. So of course the first healing necklace I made was for my sister who had staff infection in her foot...speedy recovery was had! Now it might not have been the necklace but the refocusing on healing that brought about the recovery. But there was still healing,Who knows?. I wear one of my necklaces that is entitled: milagros/miracles, I feel the sustaining infinite blessing me every day. These necklaces and bracelets serve as a way to refocus-I guess sort of like wearing prayer beads, or a rosary. So I look at these pieces as modern adaptations of the rosary and mala. I use vintage religious medals, crosses-like a casting of an 18th century french Joan of Arc cross, and healing gemstones as discussed in the remedies of the book for a specific outcome, old charms, milagros, and found objects that are specific to each need. So if you have a particular need and would like a special healing altar necklace or bracelet leave a message in comments, or go to mariefrench.etsy.com. Best way to look up the shop is mariefrench in the first column, then go to the column next to it, scroll down to username and press search. Some of the other items I have put up on the site are my prayer vessel sculptures. I'll show you pictures and give you directions on how to make them on another post. I'll also be showing my retablos, icons, and inspired tees. So there will be lots and lots to see in the shop..Would love to hear your feedback, and any ideas you might have. Blessings. XOXO marie
PS Here are some pictures-some have not been uploaded to Etsy yet. I'll try to get them up today. Look at Etsy because there are other pieces there that aren't here and visa versa....

Margot's 8th birthday

It is hard to believe it is Margots 8th birthday. Time does pass by quickly-I think back to the time I thought diapers would never end-and now she's 8...It is funny how when we are in the thick of things time seems never to end....And then there is the quickness of time when we are hopping through life, caught up in our daily to do's that life seems to run away...So it is true that what you focus on slows down time, and makes your perception of your world. So, here is how I slowed down time for Margot's birthday. I made things.
First I made a birthday banner similar to Pam Garrisons on her blog-Pam Garrison.typepad.com. I took some old wallpaper, drew a cake on it with glitter, wrote happy birthday with glitter, collaged around it, added silk flowers,and satin ribbon and hung it with a skirt hanger. I'll keep adding as time goes by and inspiration calls... All in the hopes that she would feel special by looking at it.
I also made the girls birthday books, in which I write down important things that happened to them during the year, what their favorite things were, favorite memories, party guests, and any other tidbits of info they might like to know about in the future. I made made the books from old comp books, which I glued old wallpapre samples to, then I glazed them with gloss medium to keep the corners down and give it a protective surface. Again I will keep adding on as inspiration calls.
The last little special treat I did was to buy her flowers, her choice for her birthday-Flowers make everyone feel special, so that is going to be a new tradition in our family.
So these are three little things I did to slow down and focus on my Margot's birthday and on her to make her feel special. I'd love to hear your ideas for special birthdays- you can write me in the comments section. thanks...
the rest of the pics in this post are of the birthday table etc. I am not sure how to turn the pictures right side up so unfortunately until I get some help in that department it will be an adventure in new perspective. P.S. Margot, the birthday girl, is in the middle of the group photo making a funny face. xoxo

my first try uploading images

Hope these images find you well....the first image is of the teacups which I love so much. The next is of my morning alter, I love to light the candles and burn the incense to remind me it is a new day, yesterday has been cleared away. The next shot is of the jewelry I am making-you can see it on mariefrench.etsy.com. My two daughters wanted to get in on the action so that is Margot and Juliette. And the last shots are of X-votos I painted-they are reminders of miracles in your life. I am working on a new one and will post it as soon as it is done....well thats my post today-let's see if the images went up. blessings-la vie est belle!

the world in a teacup

I have to laugh..It has taken me about fifty excuses, and many a times going to this blog spot to start typing the first message, and backing off. So today when I was faced with finally typing the first entry, I looked into my teacup, saw the whole world and thought there is no better day than today to begin.
So here I am.
This blog is going to be a creative journey, hopefully a time for all of us to share and create beauty in our days.
So where does the tea cup come in? I guess it is a way for me to start the day in beauty.
I love to collect old teacups. I have some bone china petite florals, some aqua blue ones, old english ones..I just love all the pretty patterns, colors, and daintiness of the teacups. I find such beauty in staring at the cup as I boil my water to prepare the tea. It is funny how the day proceeds from the way I prepare and drink my tea. Sometimes I don't even see the cup and my day is harried and rushed, other days I take my time and enjoy the shape, the colors, the process of making the teas, and on these days my life runs smoother, more beauty seems to flow in. OOps I am rambling again...So as I enjoy the roundness of the cup, seeing the seasons, the circular motion of a day I prepare an old tea recipe my grandmother gave me. Let me share:
Grandma's carmel tea
For 1 cup of tea
2 Tbs. loose black tea (use less for a weaker cup of tea)
1/2 carmel chopped up(more carmel if you like it sweeter)
place tea and carmel in a coffee press, or tea pot
that has been warmed up
pour boiling water and let steep until the carmel dissolves, strain, and pour into a warmed tea cup.

enjoy!!
If you have any family tea recipes you would like to share please feel free.
As soon as I figure out how to post photos I will, I am a little slow on the uptake of how to do that. thanks for your patience.
xoxo Marie