Let your light shine

This journal was made from a recycled office folder, the ones with little metal edges. 

I took the metal edges off, however, because I found it cumbersome.
It's my second one. The first one was a coloring book  http://lotuspond56-artlover.blogspot.com/2011/11/custom-coloring-book.html I created for my mother @ Xmas time.
She's received it and is truly happy.
This recent one is for my mixed media paintings. I've attached rings on it, unlike the first, so I can fill in new pages once it gets full!
My first mixed media painting is " Let your light Shine"....

I am here .........

 This is what I wrote in my little handcrafted Angel Book.  I called this journal "Life's Special Moments" . First entry is a poem from a prompt by Misty "I am Here" for her upcoming workshop http://mistymawn.typepad.com/                                                                       

   I Am  Here 

Shoulder shrugs,
A smile,
Quick glances,
Hurries by,
A moments pleasure,
A real treasure,
Walking by
Smelling the flowers,
Excited,
French Conversations,
With the waitress from 'France',
C'est bien j'aime ca ~!
~~~~
Shrugs..what to do..what to do?
There will be plenty..!
Meeting great artists online
Will be a mighty fine~
~~~~~
It'll be a moments pleasure
That I will surely treasure
I feel excited to learn new techniques
And taking a workshop with the wonderful
Misty Mawn
It will be a great experience
Sharpened up the pencils, got my paints
Patience it will be
It won't be to long now
Until we will be shown the know how;-)
~~~~~~

Copyright Mariette H.

Sun,Moon,Healing Heart

This is a new finish piece called Sun, Moon,Healing Heart on 12" x 24" baltic birchwood. I started this piece about 6 months ago; but paused for quite awhile before finishing it, and last week I came home from work,looked at it, and finished it off that very night. ;-)
Sometimes writers get writers block, and artists gets artist block lol. I've done that with several of my paintings, leave it on the easel, walk pass it..sometimes add a little something untill it all falls into place at that very special moment.
The Sun, and Moon represents male and feminine energy, while the heart symbolizes love and compassion for all beings.

Year 2012..full of art and fun!~

In the coming year, I will be taking two online workshop (so far ;-),from an artist http://mistymawn.typepad.com/  whose work I've admired for quite some time, and another one called Life Book 2012 http://www.willowing.org/lifebook.html  a year long mixed media art classes organized by the lovely Willowing . There will be 14 great teachers offering us techniques,and their wisdom in the mixed media world.
So much looking forward to it!

Happy solstice !

Many cultures celebrates solstice, which happens twice a year.
Here's a link on the science of solstice http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice.html
Many people celebrate throughout the world with special events to honor this day.
In Vancouver here, different parts of the city have organised workshops, lantern making etc..http://secretlantern.org/index.html
 At one of the community center there's a labyrinth of light, that one can walk thru.It's a meditative walk to help release old  attachments, and renew oneself as the darkest night of the year births a new season.
I love  candles, and find so much peace, and serenity, when  I light one.
In my hallway I have a big blue bowl with floating candles, surrounded with angel cards, and a photo of the Dalai Lama. I pick an angel card everyday , which inspires me, and sets my day on the right track, observing and meditating on the message presented to me.

Assemblage

This little assemblage was made with a recycled incense box.
Painted, distressed,found objects, shisha glass flower, clock, collaging, were use to create it.
Approx. 8" x 3 1/2 "  (when  opened), and a little frozen charlotte stands on guard.
Part of an incense base was used and glued on one of the panels, and I used telephone wires with a little bird dangling from it.
Handmade paper beads with bronze safety pins were used as inside decor.

Last minute recycling ideas !

Running behind..busy week..no more wrapping paper!
Here's two ideas using a handled paper handbag, and handmade paper;-)
Have fun and be creative..
A personal touch always feel so good and satisfying, and also ooak.;-)
~~~~~~~~
The first one I simply made a collage on the front, used tissue paper ,golden snowflakes, silver stars, stamping, decorating until I was happy  for an xmas theme.
I also wrapped a decorative ribbon around the handles, and tied at the base of handle.
Bought some gorgeous tissue paper at one of my favorite store here in Vancouver called 'Urban Source', an Alternative art material store.http://www.urbansource.bc.ca/ (a place to surely visit if your in Vancouver;-))
~~~~~~~~
For the second one I used some handmade paper (which I had), folded in half to length. I wanted  re: gift then sewed it .Once done , I opened it so the seam would be in middle. Folded the bottom, approx. an inch, than sewed across.
For the top I used little red mini eyelets all around, and laced a golden ribbon thru it and voila..now time to fill it with your gifts
As an alternative you could use regular packaging paper, and also decorate it ;-)
 ~~~~~~
These two are for my sister and niece ;-)

*CONTEST* Assemblage ~Clay Doll on wood panel ~CONTEST IS Now CLOSED

*CONTEST* Give her a name.~ She now has a name !
CONGRATULATIONS TERESA~
I drew a name out of the 15 entries , and the lucky winner was Teresa k.a. A Magical Whimsy. 
Her chose name  was 'Miramba of the Turquoise Gems' . Lovely name.
Thanks everyone for playing, and keep your eyes peel for more contests in the future .

This is a paper clay art doll , and the limbs are attached to body with annealed black
wire.(moveable). She holds a little handcrafted clay art with word "love". All her body parts are in clay , except her little furry necklace, and rhinestone on her hat which were added for a little extra sweetness.
Her two tiny blue shoes have each a little rhinestone.
Found cylindrical objects with writing.They were painted and also crackled and glued ,
on the sides of  a 3 " x 4" x 1 1/2 " wood panel, with a little wooden and semi precious stone on top.
I bought 3 of these panels at a recycling depot , and happy I did. They are perfect for small assemblages.
I love these little panels~
~
Ok..now for the contest
I want a name for this little cutie.
Contest will end January 3rd 2012
~ The winner will win a felted blank journal handcrafted by me, and a 5" x 7" print of choice from my etsy shop. http://petitbijouartshop.etsy.com 
Will post a pic. of journal eventually.

Kindred Spirit Project

I belong to a Kindred Spirit Project @ an online site.
It's a group of women who offer support to each other when one is not feeling well or has a serious illness.
My latest offering is a card I created for a woman with breast cancer.
All the cards will be mailed to the organiser, and she will create a book from the art we send her, and when it's finish she'll send it to the woman.
It's a great way to uplift someone, and from something we create with love.
Here's  my contribution

Poem by Rumi:

A life without love
Is of no account
Love is the water of life
Drink it down with heart and soul
~~~~