Never Lose Hope

(in french at bottom of page - en français en bas de la page)

(mixed media personal journal page)

(page multi-média d'un journal personnel)

'To live without hope is to cease to live.' 
- Fyodor Dostoevsky -

"Hope is a state of mind which promotes the belief of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life." From the time we are born, we face many challenges in order to survive. As we get older, we're facing more of them and sometimes complicated ones - emotional, physical, financial and / or spiritual.
It is essential to keep hope alive in moments of unbearable darkness because the absence of hope is despair and depression. To overcome life's disappointments we have to fight and change the way we see things. We should surround ourselves with the love and care from people we trust, and let them inspire and motivate us.

Always see the big picture.
Never give up. 
Never lose hope.

Let the "Queen Of Hope With A Red Heart" bring you inspiration. 
This one-of-a-kind sculpture is available in my Etsy shop.

"Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams a reality."
~ Jonas Salk ~ (American biologist, inventor of the first polio vaccine)

!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!

~~~~~Version Française ~~~~~

 Ne Jamais Perdre Espoir

'Vivre sans espoir est de cesser de vivre.' 
- Fyodor Dostoevsky -

"L'espoir est un état d'esprit qui favorise la croyance des résultats positifs liés aux événements et aux circonstances dans sa vie". À partir du moment où nous sommes nés, nous sommes confrontés a de nombreux défis afin de survivre. À mesure que nous vieillissons, nous faisons face à plusieurs d'entre eux et qui sont parfois compliqués - émotionnels, physiques, financiers et/ou spirituels.

Il est essentiel de garder l'espoir dans les moments d'obscurité insupportable parce que l'absence d'espoir est désespoir et dépression. Pour surmonter les déceptions de la vie nous devons nous battre et changer la façon dont nous voyons les choses. Nous devrions nous entourer de l'amour et des soins de personnes en qui nous avons confiance, et de les laisser nous inspirer et motiver.

Il faut toujours examiner la situation dans son ensemble.

Ne jamais abandonner.

Ne jamais perdre espoir.

Laissez-vous inspirer par la "Reine de l'Espoir Avec Un Coeur Rouge".

Cette sculpture unique est disponible dans mon magasin Etsy.

"L'espoir se situe dans les rêves, dans l'imagination, et dans le courage de ceux qui osent transformer les rêves en réalité.

 ~ Jonas Salk ~ (biologiste américain, inventeur du premier vaccin contre la polio)

!! JOYEUSES FÊTES !! 

Good Luck Sculpture: BUTTERFLY

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

                      And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond.

~Irish Blessing ~

The butterfly is a powerful symbol in myth and religion. Universally, it represents change and transformation. The significant meaning lies in its impressive process of metamorphosis by starting its life in one form and ending it in another. 
In many traditions around the world, the butterfly is also a symbol of the human soul (in Greek myth, Psyche - which literally translates to mean “soul” - is represented in the form of a butterfly), resurrection (Christianity), longevity & love (Asia), creativity, freedom, joy and colour (Native Americans). 
Because of its very short life span the butterfly reminds us that life is precious and short, and not to waste it. It also teaches us to embrace the inevitable transformative changes in our lives with grace and lightness.

The BUTTERFLY as a Good Luck charm:

According to an old European tradition, butterflies are creatures that portray the souls of the dead in transition, similar in belief to many birds and therefore are to be treated with great respect.

The first white butterflies seen in the year are connected with the onset of good fortune.

Three butterflies together mean good luck.

In Scotland the appearance of a golden butterfly near someone who is very ill represents good omen possibly indicating recovery, although there are many meanings attached to this sighting, one being happiness after death…

Dreaming about a butterfly among flowers indicates prosperity. 
(from “Your Lucky Book – an encyclopedia of all things Good Luck” by Jim Rose & Bébé Aschard-Rose/Olympian Publishing). 

This lovely Good Luck steampunk sculpture is a new addition to the family and is available in my Etsy shop. She's made with a wire armature, up-cycled papers, fabric & plaster, and embellished with found objects, image transfers, jewelry parts and beads. 
This sculpture is signed, dated and coded.

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower."  

~Hans Christian Andersen ~

Good Luck Sculpture: SKELETON KEY

~ An Irish Blessing ~

"May your pockets be heavy

And your heart be light.

May Luck pursue you

Each morning and night."

We all wonder at times if we can improve our luck.

Luck is certainly the most common belief of mankind. Good luck, good fortune, chance, success have been desired by humans since the beginning of time. Luck can de defined as fortuity gained as a result of chance; it is taking advantage of any fortunate opportunity that might increase the quality of life. 

I recently added to my eclectic family this one-of-a-kind Good Luck sculpture with a Skeleton Key image, available in my Etsy shop. She's made with a wire armature, up-cycled paper, fabric & plaster.

The Skeleton Key as a good luck charm:

"The most common use for a skeleton key (or 'passkey') as a talisman relates to opening doors and gateways. Such a key provides the freeing force of passing through a period of change from old situations into new ones with ease.

Greco-Roman people believed it represented the Key of Life with the power of unlocking the doors through which prayers reached the Gods. The skeleton key was worn as an amulet to promote reflection of things from the past and vision of things to come.

Romans attached special significance to keys made of silver, the metal sacred to the Goddess Diana, protector of doorways and thresholds and the special guardian of mothers-to-be. They also used them as symbol of Janus, the God of doorways who kept out unfavorable energy from the home. The greeks used them as symbol of the Goddess Hecate who unlocked the mysteries of magic. 

In Europe, a skeleton key given as a gift between lovers is considered a symbol of unlocking the door to the heart. It is believed that the giver will be lucky in love. Luck in love is echoed among the Japanese: three keys tied together are regarded as a powerful lucky charm. They enable the wearer to “unlock” doors to health, wealth and love.

According to the Gypsies of eastern Europe, a skeleton key attached to a metal ring will ensure a good night's sleep and prevent nightmares if it is hung upside down over the head.

The effective way to use a skeleton key as a talisman is to charge it with positive energy to symbolically unlock the doors of opportunity and success will come."

(from “Your Lucky Book – an encyclopedia of all things Good Luck” by Jim Rose & Bébé Aschard-Rose/Olympian Publishing).

(click on image for more info)

This sculpture is signed, dated and coded. 

Let good luck come to you...

Throw Your Heart Thru An Open Door

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”

~ John Lennon ~ 

This original free standing sculpture is one-of-a-kind (OOAK). It is handcrafted without the use of molds. Imperfections or irregularities are intentional to give it character. It is not meant to look mass-produced. 
The armature is made of wire and up-cycled fabric. More layers of different types of fabric & papers were sewn and glued, and plaster has been added here and there to create various textures. The fabric face is hand stitched and beads have been sewn on the eyes. I "carved" a niche to add the clay heart.
Embellished with acrylic paint, image transfers, a flat bead on the crown. It is coated with a protective acrylic varnish. The sculpture is light but strong. 
This art doll will sit pleasantly on your bookshelf, mantle or desk, and is suitable for collecting.
This is not a toy. For decorative display only. 
Height: 15" - 38 cm - Diameter at base: approx 5"1/2 - 14 cm 
This piece is signed, dated and coded. It will be carefully packaged to insure a safe trip to its new home. 
Enjoy!

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery ~

(click on photo to go to my Etsy shop)

Say YES With Passion

yes   (ys) adv. It is so; as you say or ask. Used to express affirmation, agreement, positive confirmation, or consent. n. pl. yes·es 1. An affirmative or consenting reply. 2. An affirmative vote or voter. tr.v. yessed, yes·sing, yes·es To give an affirmative reply to. interj. Used to express great satisfaction, approval, or happiness. [Middle English, from Old English gse, so be it! : probably ga, so; see i- in Indo-European roots + se, may it be so; see es- in Indo-European roots.]                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get out of your comfort zone and say YES with passion and conviction to new opportunities, challenges and adventures to create your own history.

                                        YES 

  

(Available in my Etsy shop. Click on photo for more info)

This unique mixed media sculpture was handcrafted without the use of molds; made with a wire armature and paper-fabric maché. Layers of different types of up-cycled fabrics and papers have been sewn and glued to create various textures. The cotton face is hand stitched and beads have been sewn on the eyes.

Embellished with acrylic paint, cheesecloth, vintage book pages, painted flowers and necklace with pendant. The raised heart is made of homemade clay and holds the word YES. The sculpture is coated with a protective acrylic varnish. Dated & signed. Measures 14" tall (35 1/2 cm)

“Always say ‘Yes’ to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? What could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say ‘Yes’ to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.”

Eckhart Tolle, author of "The Power of Now" and "A New Earth"

WISH

"Every heart sings a song, incomplete, 

until another heart whispers back.

Those who wish to sing always find a song.

At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet."

~ Plato ~

"Wish"

I created this one-of-a-kind whimsical sculpture with paper & fabric maché without the use of a mold. Imperfections and irregularities are intentional to give it character. 

The armature is made of wire. Layers of up-cycled fabric and papers have been sewn and glued to create various textures. I hand-stitched the cotton face and sewed glass beads and sequins to the eyes.

I embellished it with acrylic paint, collage of vintage paper, cheesecloth and brass chain. The raised heart and black "dots" are made from clay. The word "WISH", taken from an old book, is glued on the red hat.

This light but strong sculpture is coated with a protective acrylic varnish. 

The art doll is suitable for collecting, and will sit pleasantly on your bookshelf, mantle or desk. 

(available in my shop - click on photo for more info)
~ 14" high - signed & dated ~

Go ahead….let your heart sing and make your wish come true….

Manifest Your Wildest Dreams

While growing up we all get this inevitable question: "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

While my friends, brothers and sisters had their life mapped out with career ideas, I didn't know what I wanted to be. 

Does being a dreamer count?

One thing for sure that I knew at a very young age: I wanted my life to be an exciting adventure.

I feel fortunate because my wildest dream has come true: not only do I travel the world, I do it while performing crazy stunts with my best friend/husband Jim Rose (married 26 years this week, yeah!). We go from one exciting adventure to the next.

(acrylics on various papers & plaster)

Manifesting our dreams (whether big or small) takes some self-examination.

For a kick-start, make a list of what your soul is drawn to. Then visualize what you want and imagine it in the now. Focus on it until you expect it to come true.

Let go of your fears, anxiety or disappointments of your past. Any baggage or negative subconscious beliefs and emotions that you've carried around have to be dealt with. Throw them out and consider dwelling on possibilities. 

When navigating challenges, learn from them; they enable you to grow stronger and be more courageous.

Stay positive and do whatever you can to find happiness in the moment. Be appreciative of all that you have and be willing to accept opportunities that come your way.

It is also important that you surround yourself with people who uplift you and inspire you, so share your dreams with those who support you and who can help you fuel them.

And whenever possible don't forget to help others with their own dreams.

When you stay true to your vision and to yourself, and you have the right support in your life, you can manifest your wildest dreams…

Dream big, dream wild!

The Power Of Values: Make A Little Nest In Your Soul

Moral values are part of society's fabric to live together in harmony. They are meaningful and lasting beliefs that influence our decisions and guide our lives.

Way back in the fifth century BC after leaving his career as a stonecutter, Socrates (469-399 bc), an Athenian Greek, lived his adult life wandering his community trying to get some truth about ethics and the conduct of life - topics which thereafter became central to philosophy. He challenged prominent intellectuals, political figures and others to look more closely at themselves. He encouraged them to think harder and to improve their ideas of morality and about how to lead a good human life. Socrates wondered what makes a worthwhile life.

We all have core values we subscribe to. They vary by individual; they are personal and can include many things: morality, ethics, religion, inner voice, philosophy, etc. Once we identify the ones that are important to us and we take heart applying them, positive energies are released; well-being, happiness, new opportunities are sure to follow…. 

This mixed media art doll titled "Make A Little Nest In Your Soul" was created with some of my beliefs in mind.

She's  made with scraps of cotton & muslin that I have hand stitched over a wire armature.

She's embellished with grommets, trims, beads, buttons, vintage book page, chain, jewelry parts, found objects, stamped designs and these words of value: TRUST, LOVE, RESPECT, GENEROSITY, COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HARMONY, WISDOM, HUMILITY, JUSTICE, PATIENCE, MODESTY, GRATITUDE, TRUTH.

A nest made with cotton rope is growing on top of her head. It bears the words: "MAKE A LITTLE NEST IN YOUR SOUL". In it stands a bird with the word PEACE on its wing. She's signed & dated.

This inspirational soft sculpture is available in my Etsy shop.

Here is a little exercise: take a break from what you're doing and come up with a list of your favorite beliefs that are motivating and shaping your life, and then consider how each is affecting you.

UNLEASH YOUR TRUTH.

"All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine" ~ Socrates 

*Note: As Socrates did not write philosophical texts, the knowledge of the man, his life, and his philosophy is entirely based on writings by his students and contemporaries. Foremost among them is Plato; however, works by Xenophon, Aristotle, and Aristophanes also provide important insights.(wikipedia)*