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Friday, September 9, 2011

"What's A Girl To Do?" (Part 9)

What's a girl to do when she covets THESE but can't seem to find them anywhere?



She takes these.....


...and makes these....


French Grave Markers or Mourning Plaques....

~authentic~





~mine~

I've long admired these for their rustic beauty.... 

~authentic~


 ....and their spiritual value.
~mine~


Simple metal tags.....
...with a rusty-colored patina....


...are adorned with images from actual grave stones....


...and old French Prayer cards.....



...to create the look of my coveted French Enamel Mourning Plaques.




Torn paper edges....

...and ink give them that "old world" feel.



Authentic French Grave Markers can be found in most every burial ground in France. 


Many are left to rot in the ground.....


...their beauty left unappreciated....


...and their sentimental value disregarded.


One day, I'd love to find an authentic one for my own....


...to always remind me of those souls whose sacred resting places they mark.

(soon for sale in my ETSY shop)

46 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! These are awesome!! Love them! You are so talented!!

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  2. Oh, I love these! And that last pic, is that a stuffed heart? That is a beauty!
    Brenda

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  3. Hi Michelle, Those are so beautiful. I have always loved the beauity of the Grave Markers too. There is something about old rusty things and that they are French makes them that much better. You did a wonderful job.
    Rebecca

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  4. OMG! What an awesome job you did recreating those markers!! Beautiful!!

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  5. these are gorgeous Michelle! lovely hearts! I love seeing your Pins on pinterest too! :) Have a great weekend!

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  6. Wow, these are so beautiful Michelle!!! Your talent is amazing!
    You will do great with these!
    Hope you have a lovely day.
    Sincerely,
    Melinda

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  7. Clever girl you! Just love!!! Thanks for sharing.
    Have a GREAT weekend.
    Holly

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  8. Oh gosh, I am now coveting the copies of your coveted crypt hearts (say that 10 times fast). Seriously, I am picking my jaw off the keyboard and I couldn't scroll down fast enough to see if they're in your Etsy shop. I am first in line to take one of those off your hands!
    Well done and very respectful of the originals!
    LOVE them!
    - Susan

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  9. Wow Michelle ~ I just LOVE those !! I have never seen them before so they are all new to me ~
    Yours came out awesome ~

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  10. I cannot believe how much creativity you possess.
    I absolutely adore these. Adore Adore Adore

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  11. I have never seen these before and they are beautiful. You did a wonderful job recreating these wonderful pieces. They are gorgeous!!
    Jane

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  12. I've never seen those with grave fragments. Beautiful, and so are yours. :)

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  13. Michelle,
    You are so clever!!! That is what keeps your creations so exciting, you are always one step ahead!!!
    Christine
    Oh by the way, have I told you lately how much I am in LOVE with your Pinterest board!!!! I am so addicted:~).

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  14. Ooooooh,I so adore them,Michelle! Absolutely beautiful - thanks for sharing.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs,
    Marie

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  15. Ohhhhhb Michelle I've never even seen anything like these, no wonder you want one. yours are so beautiful!!!!Fabulous idea!
    hugs Lynn

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  16. Oops, that's JUDY. Really, pretty bad when you can't spell your own name... ugh!

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  17. These are truly precious..you're an inspiration.

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  18. Very good job! I have never heard of these before, thank you for sharing. Your right, they are very beautiful and just reading your words I could feel the spirits of the dead in those plaques. you are a very good story teller as well as an artist!

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  19. Oh...........my............gosh!
    They are sooooo wonderfull Michelle.
    You'r really such a wonderfull artist.....i'm a bit jalous of you'r talent!
    xxx Marga

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  20. Hi dear friend,- this post is so fantastic beautiful, Michelle- and the work you did with this hearts, to resemble the old and real, are amazing-I love them.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  21. I understand why you love everything with an old French look. Theses are... simply gorgeous ! The rusty patina gives them a lovely look.
    Je t'embrasse ;O)

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  22. One of these old beauties has been on my wish list forever! Loving your creations...I must get one!

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  23. ...oh yes! i simply adore these too ~
    so creative of you! now my wheels are spinning:)
    xo, Rosemary

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  24. I love these! I need some, I think!

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  25. Such beautiful photos and I think they look just as good as the authentic ones:-)

    Enjoy your weekend,

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  26. I have just come back from France and had seen them in the graveyards, having swooned over them rotting propped up everywhere..looking gorgeous and now I see your lovely idea...you clever clever girl yours are beautiful.
    Lynn xxxx

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  27. THESE ARE GORGEOUS!!!!! I love them ALL!!! Oh Michelle, what a wonderful idea...and I can see I'm not the only one that thinks so :) hugs and love, Dawn

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  28. WOW, Michelle, your markers are amazing!! I love how you made something you couldn't find, I love the little one in the flower frog, I will have to purchase one for sure!!! Enjoy the weekend~

    Hugs~Kim ♥

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  29. once again, you never seem to disapoint! wow - these are amazingly gorgeous!!! curious will they be in your etsy store? love love love xoxo

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  30. Oh, i must ask if you would custom make one of these for me to give to my niece for christmas this year......? here is my link about the story of finding something every year that says "vision".

    http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/2010/12/sentimental-gift.html

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  31. Beautiful Michelle!! I don't know what you are specifically looking for ,but the antique mall that has the french booth has a french memorial heart...check out my pictures with that post. I can pick it up for you if you want me to and you can send me a check.
    Hugs~

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  32. WOW, I love these hearts Michelle!!!
    So beautiful...
    They look so old.
    Well done,

    Love Michelle

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  33. Wow, so beautiful.....do'nt no what to say....just look and dream away...

    Have a nice day!
    Yolanda

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  34. These are so beautiful! I love the way you gave them such a time worn feel. You are such a sweet soul. xxoo Heidi

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  35. These are amazing!!!

    beautifully done.

    blessings
    barbara jean

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  36. I LOVE these. Yours are gorgeous, so well done. I made a memorial heart for my mom with the French ones in mind. Thanks so much for sharing!
    Take care,
    Martha

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  37. WooooooooooooooooW! You know I love these. So pretty. Drooling a little bit here hehe... I had to pin both the orginals in I wish I had and yours in the one dedicated to my blogfriends. I really love these one.

    And of course regarding my linking. You are most welcome.I didnt ask because everyone wants a bit commercial of sorts right. I guessed you'd like it. Love those little bottlejars of yours:)

    But this hearts, hm they blow my mind away.I think I am in love..)

    Have a wonderful day my friend:)

    Line-Cathrin

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  38. So beautiful Michelle! What a great job you do with everything you touch. Hope to see you sometime soon...will you be attending our fall show at WCS?
    Blessings & hugs,
    Karen

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  39. What a wunderfull post. You have inspired me.

    Beybey, Sylvia

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  40. Simply amazing - (you are!) These are fabulous - you did an unbelievable job in recreating these and yours are gorgeous! I love them too - the photos are so beautiful - this is a gorgeous post! Your talents blow me away~~

    Vicki

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  41. So beautiful, tender and compassionate. Lovely work indeed

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  42. Oh ....I love them!!! I want one,please let me know when you have them ready to sell...I have only ever seen one..it was in an antique store in Ireland and it was SO much money I just couldn't do it..if I remember right its was about 220euros..not in my budget that's for sure. Hope you are keeping well, cant wait to order one!!

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Taking the time to share your thoughts...your words...and your inspiration fills my soul....Merci.
~*~Michelle~*~