Posted in Animals, Art, Authors, Books, Cards, Cats, Children's Books, Creativity, Design, Dogs, French Bulldogs, Graphic Design, Illustration, Inspiration, On the Web, Photography, Reflections, Writing, tagged author, books, chuldren's book illustrator, desugn, Frenchie artist, graphic artist, graphic design, graphic designer, illustrator, jeannebalsam on February 7, 2023| 6 Comments »
To be truthful, this is long overdue; however, I am just so happy and so grateful that it is here and up now.
With the new site, I can better share with you the work that I do, and even how some of it may help you! I’m thinking of graphic design, self-publishing, or art projects.
It’s all so shiny and new!! Please take a look and thank you for checking out my new website.
Posted in Animals, Books, Cards, Children's Books, Creativity, French Bulldogs, Holidays, Home Stuff, Inspiration, Life, Reflections, tagged calm, Change, Chanukah, children's books, Christmas, Frenchie Christmas Cards, Frenchie Holiday Cards, Frenchies, gifts, grateful, holiday season, holidays, Joy, merriment, peace, picture books on December 1, 2022| 6 Comments »
It seems that the holidays feel different every year. It’s not a matter of growing older, but maybe of seeing the world through different eyes.
Some years have seen good-sized gatherings, some years, small and intimate ones. Some years bright and merry, others quiet. There have been years where gift-buying was a big deal, others when it barely mattered at all. Years with COVID in play, years not.
The common thread? Change. Everything is always in motion, including how we spend our holidays, where, and with whom.
The other thread? Feeling grateful … for all the experiences the holidays have brought, and those they will bring.
Here’s hoping that you will not get lost in the rush, but lost in the peace, joy, and sweet calm of the season. I’ll be joining you for these.
It wouldn’t be the beginning of December if I didn’t mention that I have adorable Frenchie items for sale in my Etsy shop, or that my magical and beautiful picture book, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night?, would make a great Christmas gift.
Cheers!
Posted in Animals, Art, Cards, Creativity, Design, Dogs, French Bulldogs, Holidays, tagged French Bulldog Valentine, French Bulldog Valentine Card, Frenchie Valentine, Frenchie Valentine card, greeting card, SendingLove, Valentine's season, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day cards on January 28, 2022| 10 Comments »
I actually like the idea that Valentine’s is a season rather than just a day. Why not celebrate and share love all year `round? Maybe a wee bit more on the designated day?
To that end, I offer my most recent valentine … two adorable French Bulldog pups who would like nothing better than to be sent out to the world, carrying a smile from your heart to another.
It could really be anyone – grandkids, teachers, partners, school buddies. Remember, there is always someone out there who would love to hear from you. Why not send them a card and say hello?
Find this sweet card, available in a pack of eight, in my Etsy shop!
Posted in Animals, Cards, Creativity, Design, Dogs, French Bulldogs, Holidays, Home Stuff, tagged Christmas, Christmas Cards, Etsy, French Bulldog Art, French Bulldog Cards, French Bulldog Christmas card, French Bulldog Holiday Card, Frenchie Art, Frenchie Cards, Frenchie Christmas Cards, Frenchie Holiday Cards, JBalsamFrenchieArt on Etsy on November 15, 2021| 9 Comments »
The time when we think of reaching out to family and friends, and putting a little something special in the mail to them.
That said, I am sharing one of my French Bulldog Christmas cards to inspire you. Although, in all honesty, I describe them as holiday cards because they are truly suitable for whatever winter holiday you celebrate.
I know you’d love to see more, so please hop on over to my Etsy shop and check out what’s there, and yes, if you were wondering, they are all Frenchie-themed. But … recipients don’t have to be French Bulldog fans; if they have any appreciation of cuteness in animals, that should do. Thanks!
Posted in Animals, Art, Authors, Books, Cards, Children's Books, Creativity, Holidays, Inspiration, Life, Reflections, Writing, tagged accomplishments, books, butterflies, challenges, children's books, Ethicool Books, Etsy, Growth, holidays, kindred spirits, life, life's challenges, picture books, Stella Mongodi, Where Do Butterflies Go at Night?, writing on October 22, 2021| 8 Comments »
Or maybe I should say `spread thin.’ There are times in all our lives when we have an awful lot of balls in the air, and I’m going to say this is one of mine. And I am juggling – or dancing – as fast as I can.
Work is a constant (for which I am grateful), and changes are on the horizon. I will be opening my heart and mind to new possibilities and it’s exciting, if not occasionally anxiety-provoking. Depends what day you ask me.
I have a children’s book coming out! – Where Do Butterflies Go at Night? One might think that once you’re done writing the story, you, as a writer, are done, but it couldn’t be further from the truth! With my wonderful publisher, Ethicool Books, we work collaboratively. The illustrator, Stella Mongodi, shares her sketches and illustrations as she goes along, and the publisher and I are able to have input. Stella’s work is beyond fabulous, but being able to share a thought or two here and there is a wonderful gift.
And then … promotion. I want this book to be an amazing success. It’s my debut picture book, and while I would want any book of mine to be so, the first is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So I post – on my blog, website, Instagram (which I am learning and loving), and soon Facebook (which I have avoided, but no longer can.) It’s a lot!
And yes .. the holidays are upon us! Halloween is next week and I haven’t even gotten to take a tour of the neighborhood yet. Then Christmas, for which I hope to have some new Frenchie items in my Etsy shop. Oh … note to self – learn more about Mailchimp! And start thinking about that new website! Yes … and remember to breathe!
We women today are not the same as those of our mother’s generation. We can do so much more, learn so much more, just be so much more! But whew! It can get a little tiring at times. And yet we persist because the world today is a place where we can open our hearts and souls and find kindred spirits whether in friendship, love, or business. It’s a new day.
Yesterday, a quote passed over my screen and I grabbed it. It’s a wonderful word of encouragement from the inventor from New Jersey (!), Thomas Edison, for the moments when we might feel like we’re not “getting there”, wherever that is, or “getting there” fast enough. Take heart – we are all exactly where we are supposed to be at this moment in time, but in case you’re having a doubt –
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.“
Have a wonderful day!
Posted in Animals, Art, Cards, Cats, Creativity, Design, Dogs, French Bulldogs, Graphic Design, Holidays, Illustration, Inspiration, Life, Reflections, tagged changing world, Christmas, Christmas Cards, French Bulldog, French Bulldog Art, French Bulldog Cards, French Bulldog Christmas card, French Bulldog Gift, French Bulldog Holiday Card, holidays, Thanksgiving on November 22, 2020| 11 Comments »
When I haven’t written in over a month, it usually means at least one thing. In this case, it means I have been deluged with holiday fundraisers and projects from my clients. It has been non-stop, and while I think of things to write here – I even take photos – and I want to catch up with those I follow, my creative energy is directed towards these projects and the time to actually focus on my own writing has been non-existent. It’s frustrating. But enough whining.
As a new and different Thanksgiving approaches, many, including myself, are already shopping extensively online for Christmas and holiday gifts. To that end, I am going to take a moment to shamelessly promote myself and the lovely French Bulldog items I have created for my Etsy shop.
If you are looking to send holiday cards, “Stranger in the Snow” is one among several you’ll find in my shop. You can also find a few neat gift ideas 
such as my “Frenchies Apres Monet” blank notecards which I’d like to think would be appreciated by fans of Monet as well as the French Bulldog. I also have a sweet, handsomely-made Frenchie journal, because we all are writing more these days what with all the stress in our lives. No? And if not you, perhaps you know someone who journals faithfully. (Or maybe just needs a notebook!)
All the original artwork is mine, and I can assure you, the cards are of a beautiful, heavy stock. If inspired, just toddle on over to Etsy at JBalsamFrenchieArt.
As the intensity of my holiday workload is ever-so-slowly winding down, I am planning on writing again soon, and coming by to see you and what you’ve written, too. Should I not get to the post I have in mind before Thanksgiving, I wish you all a peaceful, happy, and safe holiday, however you may spend it. Take good care and let’s continue to look forward to less stressful days when we can meet with each other again as we have in the past. I am always happy to have you stop by!
Posted in Animals, Art, Authors, Cards, Creativity, Design, Dogs, French Bulldogs, Holidays, Illustration, tagged French Bulldog, French Bulldog Card, French Bulldog Christmas card, French Bulldog Holiday Card, French Bulldog Xmas cards, Frenchie, Frenchie Christmas Cards, Frenchie Holiday Cards on November 29, 2019| 8 Comments »
Christmas is coming, and for those who still love the tradition of sending real, 3-dimensional cards, I have something special for you – my newest Frenchie Christmas card. This is one of the holiday cards now available with complete details in my Etsy shop – JBalsamFrenchieArt – plus sets of blank notecards which would make great gifts. All the artwork and design are my own, the illustrations drawn in colored pencil, occasionally with watercolor, and printed right here in the U.S.A.
If you have a Frenchie, a friend with one, or just want something cute featuring the breed as a gift, stop by and visit my shop. And please, spread the word!
Thanks so much!
Posted in Animals, Cards, Creativity, French Bulldogs, Holidays, Illustration, Inspiration, tagged French Bulldog journal, French Bulldog notebook, French Bulldog Notecards, French Bulldog Valentine, French Bulldog Valentine Card, Gift idea, JBalsamFrenchieArt on Etsy, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day cards, Valentine's Day gift, Valentine's gift on January 20, 2019| 10 Comments »
With Valentine’s Day coming, people are already beginning to think about what to buy someone special that’s a little different than the usual. We’ve all had our fill of candy and flowers, and while jewelry is OK, a lot of us have all we need, plus it’s extravagant. So how about something practical, not ridiculously expensive at all, and – if I say so myself – pretty adorable. Yes, I’m talking about my French Bulldog journal.
I’d introduced this journal prior to the holidays and granted, it isn’t the most Christmas-y of designs. (In my defense, I’d actually started in early spring of last year, but that’s another story.) Now, however, my little Frenchie baby holding a string of hearts is right in time for Valentine’s. On the back is a pencil sketch I drew of a French Bulldog pup that skyrocketed in popularity on Pinterest; I am hand signing the drawing in case you’d like a print of my art to frame, sit on your desk, or whatever.
Please check out my French Bulldog Journal in my shop on Etsy where you can see multiple images – close-ups, the back, and interior. My printer did an excellent job of printing and binding, and it’s such a nice quality item that won’t break the bank. So let’s see … who do you know that journals? Who do you know that loves Frenchies? Or maybe even just dogs? Or maybe … who’d appreciate a thoughtful gift from you.
Alternatively, maybe you’d like to send a notecard to someone at Valentine’s to let them know you love them and are thinking of them. Have kids? Maybe they’d like to send one to Grandma. The artwork of a mischievous Frenchie pup eyeing some cookies is, of course, also mine, and I can’t help but think 
that you have a few people who would smile at the arrival of this card. Or maybe you’d like to give a pack as a gift? (Baking cookies is in season all year long.)
OK, I’ll get off my little sales platform now, but one of the things I’ve learned is that if you don’t tell people what you have/can do, they’ll never know! I spent a lot of my life not opening my mouth about the things I could do, and I’m still not terribly good at self-promotion, but am working on it. So there’s another reason to get a journal or cards – encourage me! I know, that was shameless, but please do stop by my Etsy shop and see what’s there. And thanks!
Posted in Animals, Art, Cards, Creativity, French Bulldogs, Holidays, tagged Christmas, French Bulldog, French Bulldog Art, French Bulldog Cards, French Bulldog Christmas card, French Bulldog Holiday Card, French Bulldog Notecards, holiday cards, Steiff toy on November 10, 2018| 6 Comments »
Please welcome not only an adorable little Frenchie baby, but a touch of nostalgia for times gone by, when a child might be excited to find a real Steiff pull toy underneath the tree. The lights were much bigger, the ornaments glass, and the smell of balsam pine wafted through the house.
Our little pied girl will soon find there’s nothing to worry about with her new stuffed friend, but still she wonders … could she come home with you, then visit your friends and family? You can find her plus more holiday cards, gift ideas, and my new journal in my shop on Etsy. Please stop by!
Posted in Animals, Art, Cards, Creativity, Dogs, French Bulldogs, Graphic Design, Holidays, tagged blank notebook, French Bulldog Christmas card, French Bulldog Holiday Card, French Bulldog journal, French Bulldog notebook, Frenchie Christmas Cards, Frenchie Holiday Cards, Frenchie journal, Frenchie notebook, journal on October 28, 2018| 15 Comments »
If anything is ever true, it’s that everything always takes longer than you think it will. It’s been beyond a month’s journey just to get my new Frenchie journal ready to greet the world on Etsy and, I hope, to find some appreciative buyers. I created the journal, put together all the artwork, front and back, over 2 months ago, but all that’s entailed in actually getting it printed and ready to market is quite another story. But at last … here it is!
I had a small business with French bulldog notecards and holiday/Christmas cards a number of years ago. For a variety of reasons, it made sense to put it to the side at the time, but the inspiration to start it up again with some new and fresh ideas has been twinkling inside me for a while now. As a result, I am re-launching it with this journal which features my own artwork, front and back. On the back is a pencil sketch of a French Bulldog puppy that I included on Pinterest and which became, much to my surprise, wildly popular between views and saves. I am going to hand 
sign the drawing on each journal, so anyone inspired to frame it will have a bona-fide signed print of my artwork!
I am so pleased to have my shop on Etsy (where you will also find my Christmas and holiday cards) – it’s a great venue for creative people to sell their art, high quality crafts, and more. There’s also a lot to know, so I am starting with sales to North America first and as I get the hang of how everything works, I will expand to Europe next. (I know there are a lot of Frenchie lovers in Europe, so please be patient – I am a work in progress myself.) If you’d like to check out my new journal and holiday cards, please stop by my shop.
Posted in Animals, Art, Authors, Cards, Design, Dogs, French Bulldogs, Holidays, Illustration, Just Fun, tagged French Bulldog Notecards, French Bulldog Valentine, French Bulldog Valentine Card, Frenchie Art, Frenchie card, Frenchie notecards, Frenchie Valentine, Frenchie Valentine card, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day cards on January 14, 2018| 9 Comments »
It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without something a little sweet, right? How about an adorable pied Frenchie who’s discovered some just-frosted sugar cookies? (And is about to do something very naughty!) That’s sweet x 2!
Order these sweet French Bulldog Valentine’s Day cards in my Etsy shop and put a smile on the faces of the special someone(s) in your life.
Posted in Art, Authors, Books, Cards, Creativity, Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Inspiration, Writing, tagged a pat on the back, blog, graphic artist, graphic design, graphics, Jeanne Balsam Graphics, self-acknowledgment, self-publishing on January 4, 2018| 10 Comments »
One of the shortcomings of we creative folk, I find, is that we generally don’t share our gifts proudly with others, or even give ourselves a pat on the back all too often. Writing a blog, and especially if it includes 
our own artwork, photography, videos, or images of our various accomplishments, is one way we do that. Even so, many of us only shyly take credit for the beauty, wisdom, intelligence, and creativity we put out into the world through our blogs. We all deserve a pat on the back, so please – give yourself one!
A corollary to this is if our creativity is available to others … as in a business. For those of you who check in on me regularly, you are likely to be aware I’m a graphic artist. But how many know that I actually promote my graphic design services on the web? Not enough, I’m sure, so I am taking this opportunity to introduce you to my graphic design blog – Jeanne Balsam Graphics. Please take a toddle on over and see what I do. I am growing my business, and have a particular interest in helping people self-publish by putting an attractive and professional product out there. (The picture book above is my design/layout, and includes some original artwork, as well.)
With the advantages of the internet, working together is no longer limited by our physical proximity. I have local clients as well as in California, the mid-west, and more. Maybe I can help you or someone you know with a fabulous design piece. If so, you can contact me anytime through my graphics blog.
OK, so that’s me finally patting myself on the back a bit and sharing more of what I do. Now it’s your turn!
Still A Dreamer 