February of big changes!

I'm a true believer that changes are good and you need to embrace them. Always knowing that everything will work in your benefit. 

As you all know, I opened the Pelhuaz Store at a free platform called Storenvy in 2013. Storenvy was a community where you can either get items, open your own store, or create your brand - for free. 

For those of you active in the Handmade Community, had heard of the recent changes made by Storenvy, hitting Pelhuaz business hard. From a new payment processor partner that doesn't have the infrastructure to manage an US Territory - such as Puerto Rico, to removing stores that aren't using such partner from the marketplace - meaning that the store/product are not searchable. 

Every business needs to growth and follow their own path to success, and I'm sure that Storenvy had taken the path they considered the best. I'm truly graceful with all I have been able to achieve using their platform. My best regards and hope this venture bring them the success and rewards they are looking for.   

After a long consideration, research, asking for advise, and countless nightmares, I decided that it's time to take my business to the next level, following my own path, as well. I realized the importance of taking care of Pelhuaz and considering working for me and my community. It's gonna be lots of work... But will be very rewarding... 


It's being a bumpy ride, but I had managed to achieve most of my goals, and now Pelhuaz by Red will soon to be Pelhuaz with my own domain. (YAY!)
The main idea is to centralized all the efforts, to a single place, creating a functional website just for you. 
Blog, Store, Friends, Features will be all in one place. "

I shared my concerns with my community and received the support needed to start. Thanks to my Exquisite Friend Tessa (owner of KRMBAL), I was able to have an updated logo that will cover all of Pelhuaz' needs. Our new brand image will be modern and clean with an easy to navigate site. No issues, no down time, no complications... Only a great experience!

What's next?

• Creation of a new website
• Complete make-over of Pelhuaz Blog
• New friends to be featured
• and an AWESOME new look...

Ready for your first sneak peek? Here it is!

Hope you are as excited as I am to see the final results!

Enjoy your week. 

Besitos,
Zei

A Happy Friday... A Charm Friday !

Today is a great Friday! Even I feel a little tired, I'm so excited working with the plan for all the great changes that will come our way. I can't wait to share it with all of you! Yay!

It's Charm Friday at Pelhuaz and boy we have charms... So many adorable choices and at great prices. So listen... You can get a cute charm as a Valentine gift for everyone at your love-list without cracking your budget. 

Only this weekend if you use the code LOVE2015, you will get an 30% off on all items at Pelhuaz Store - even the ones already on sale. So, what are you waiting for?

Enjoy your Friday!

Besitos,
Zei

Pelhuaz Exquisite Friend: The Plush Plum

I met Lani and her amazing store The Plush Plum, when I was looking for stores to be featured in January. I really liked her from the start due to her happy personality and her fabulous creative talent.

This week we'll be featuring her at the blog. We encourage you to support the Small Business. Keep in mind that when you do, you become part of a Mom/Dad's supporting group!

Here's my new Exquisite Friend Lani!

Pelhuaz: What's your name?

Lani: Lani Almaguer                

Pelhuaz: If you were on an island and could only bring 3 things, what would you bring?

Lani: A huge container full of my craft supplies. A mattress. And Henry Cavil (actor who plays superman). 
  

Pelhuaz: If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?  

Lani: Pizza. I'm not a very good chef.            

Pelhuaz: What's your superpower?         

Lani: My keen ability to do many things at the same time.    

   

Pelhuaz: Who do you consider your sidekick?     

Lani: Brittany and Bertha. Brittany is my #1 Fan, who is also my cheerleader when I', in a rut and Bertha is my wonderful, never fails me, brother sewing machine.

  
Pelhuaz: What do you do when you are alone in your car?           

Lani: Sing and dance of course!     

Pelhuaz: What motivates/inspires you?  

Lani: Fabric inspires me.  My love of sewing dolls and animals also inspires me. My children motivate me. I want them to see me succeed and learn what it's like to start from the bottom and still be successful.

Pelhuaz: If you were a Star Trek® [or Star Wars®] character, which one would it be?

Lani: Captain Jean Luc Picard. Make it so!                     

Pelhuaz: What's the name of your Small Business?          

Lani: The Plush Plum

Pelhuaz: When did you open your Store (anniversary)?  

Lani: 9/10/2013

Pelhuaz: Why did you decide to open it?

Lani: The initial reason for opening was to attempt to help bring in some money to pay bills. After about 6 months, it became more of something I'm doing because. I absolutely love it. And now I do it because it's my passion I love what I do. Love to see the happy faces of my customers after they receive their huggable doll or animal.  I would love to grow my business as well. But overall, i do it for the love.         

Pelhuaz: What is your favorite item available at your store? Provide a pic link. 
Lani:   I love the Allison doll. I think she's so cute.   

        

Pelhuaz: What do you wish you had known before you started? 

Lani: How to manage my time better. It's a constant struggle i deal with.        

Pelhuaz: Imagine that I’m planning to open Pelhuaz, and I don’t know a thing about managing a Small Business, what will be your best advice?

Lani: Don't give up when times seem bad. Always be positive and communicate frequently with your customers. Take time off for yourself. To recharge. And always have fun!           

            

Hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Thanks to Lani, I'm looking for a name to me Brother Sewing Machine. :D If you want to know more about Lani and her amazing store, you can find her in Facebook and on the Etsy store. 

The Plush Plum will grant a lucky winner a Special Discount. You just need to visit her Facebook page and give her a "like". Document your visit here so we'll be able to include your name at the drawing. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway





Thank you so much for stopping by and enjoy your day!

Besitos,
Zei    

Love Ring Giveaway Winner

It's Monday again, and a fabulous week is ahead of us. I have so many plans for this week. I want to completely arrange the products at Pelhuaz Store. Many items will be soon on sale, so stay tune!

As you already know last week we run our first Giveaway of the Year and is time to announce the happy winner of this fabulous ring...

  
And the winner is Vanessa Prieto!

Congrats Vanessa!!!! Wujuu!!!! You have 48 hours to claim your prize. Send us an email, tweet us, or comment either on our Facebook Page or here on the blog. If we don't hear from you, a new winner will be selected.


Enjoy your week! 

Besitos,
Zei

Year of Handmade: In your wildest dreams, where would you love to see your craft take you?

I've been creating since I was little. I initiated the store owner journey on June 2013, and I set my expectation very high. Sometimes I dream about how far I wanted to go and how hard I need to work to get there. My wildest dream is for Pelhuaz store or one of my creations to be advertise in a fashion magazine. 

Ambitious? I know... But in order to get far, you need to dream big.

This is me playing with such idea. Dream big!

Besitos,
Zei

Pelhuaz Gift Ideas for San Valentine's Day

The Holidays can be brutal over our budget and you thank the Lord that are finally over. You haven't recover from such hurricane and you start noticing stores full of hearts and chocolates... And you realize that Valentine's Day is next. 

Don't freak out! Pelhuaz have the perfect statement-jewelry and the prices are friendly to your budget (or what's left of it!). 

All these beauties are available at Pelhuaz Store. Use code LOVE2015 to receive a 30% off the entire purchase. Take advantage of this opportunity today. 

There are so many wonderful handmade store out there, specially my Indie A Listers Friends. If you are not into the jewelry gift thing, and preferred attire or other goods, right now if you purchase from an Indie A-List business, you can earn a “sticker” for the corresponding month of your purchase and win amazing prizes. Soon, I'll dedicate a post to this amazing program. For more details click here. 

And for those of you that feel lucky, here's a fun giveaway. Enter to win an unique Love Ring.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: Giveaway ends January 25 at 12:00 AM EST. Open to Residents of the US only. The winner will be notified on January 26 at Pelhuaz’ Blog. The winner have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. For details read the complete Terms and Conditions.

Good Luck and thank you so much for support!


Besitos,
Zei  

Pelhuaz Picks from Kiser Krafts Handmade Mania Week 57

Every week the Kiser Krafts Blog have this amazing opportunity where you can share products and take a look over other fabulous stores and products. 

Kelly is the Sock Goddess and the owner of Kiser Kraft Store where you can find all sort of sock stuffy animals and other fabulous goods. 

This week is Handmade Mania Week 57, and here are my favorites.

Boy Wizard Felt Embroidered Mask by DeBoop Shop

Military Inspired Wreath with White Flowers by TheBizyBunny

Visit the Kiser Krafts Blog and pick your favorites. Feel free to come back and let me know which were your fave. 

 

Besitos,

Zei

 

     

Year of Handmade: In the beginning, how did I get into the craft?

We all have our background story, and mine is not different from yours. I decided to opened Pelhuaz on June 2013 with the intention of having my very own place to showcase my creations. My jewelry have simple designs with a boho twist and I like to create simple items that will accentuate the beauty of those who wears it. I also create hair accessories, but it's only for my beautiful princess to have. I don't feel that confident to put them on the market!  

When I was a little girl, I loved to make crafts. From paper art to crochet (or what I thought was it at the time). My mother and grandma, both did crochet and so my very talented Titi (aunt). So I guess that the crafty-artisan gene runs in the family. 

As one of my resolutions for 2015,  I decide that I need to define my line of work and in which direction I want to focus my designs. 

I think I found my style with the Long Necklaces I deigned at the end of 2014. I love making them, and love the way they look and feel.  

There are so many talented artisan out there, that is important that you find your identity by making a noticeable mark in the handmade industry.

What motivates you? How did you get where you are today? 

Besitos,
Zei

Los Reyes Magos Celebration

As you all know, I'm from Puerto Rico. There's a saying that in Puerto Rico we have the longest Christmas of the World, as we celebrate Santa, Los Tres Reyes Magos and after that we have Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian. 

Today, we'll celebrate the Tres Reyes Magos Eve. You know them as the Wisemen (or Three Kings). It's celebrated like Santa's arrival, but the only difference is that instead leaving cookies and milk, we need to collect grass and leave it in a shoe box under the Christmas tree for the camels. 

Santa Claus is taking his vacation, but we have the opportunity to celebrate once more, the gift-giving (and receiving) all over again. The tradition is followed by most families in Latin America and Spain. This holiday falls annually on January 6. On the night of the 5th, we gather as a family and go to the backyard to collect grass for the camels. It's very exciting as in the morning the children can see the mess that the camel left with the grass. 

The arrival of the Reyes Magos is the biblical adoration of baby Jesus by the three Kings, also referred to as Wise Men or Magi. The men found the divine child by following a star across the desert for twelve days to Bethlehem. Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar - representing Europe, Arabia, and Africa respectively- traveled by horse, camel, and elephant in order to present baby Jesus with three symbolic gifts.

The gold offered by one of the wise men is a symbolic acknowledgment of Jesus’ royal standing as “King of the Jews,” while the frankincense manifests the divine nature of the baby’s existence, since he is not an earthly king but the Son of God, and finally the myrrh, often used to embalm corpses, was gifted to the newborn as a symbol of Jesus’ mortality - foreshadowing his death as a means to cleanse humanity of its sins.

Reyes festivities come in different shapes and sizes across the globe from community parades to three-day celebrations at Disneyland - which I didn't knew. As you have your real bearded Santas; in Puerto Rico we have our real Reyes Magos. The picture is from our very own Reyes de Juana Diaz that each year walk down the streets of Juana Diaz City to keep the tradition alive. This particular event was initiated over 129 years ago. It is said that Padre Valentin Echevarria - a Priest from Spain that lived here at that time, was the founder. People from all over Puerto Rico and the world, come to see them. Is a magical experience.

Well there you have it! A little inside of our traditions. 

Feliz Dia de Los Reyes Magos!

Besitos,
Zei

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year to all of you! 

2014 was a great year for our family, and we know that 2015 will be even greater. As the New Year begins, some resolutions needs to be establish. So here are mine:

1. Get back in shape: After gaining weight for 9 month with little physical activity due to minor complications on my pregnancy, I'm ready to start my exercise routine. This is the one resolution that we all have, but just a few achieve.

2. Dedicate more time to Pelhuaz: Even I'm the only person employed, I work for Pelhuaz. Is my job and I need to make time for it and define few important things, like: 
      a) Establishing a marketing strategy: I took a maternity leave at the end of the year, and the marketing effort had been minimum. I need to re-start it and move forward. 
      b) Photos: Presentation is the most important thing, when it comes to a web base store. Is the only way, you can capture your audience to buy your products and to come back for more. I haven't decided what's the best way to present my products, and I need to make this decision soon.   
      c) Identity: As an artisan, I need to define my line of work and in which direction I want to focus my designs. 
      d) Accountability Partner: My handcrafty community is so amazing and provide so much support, that I love each one of them. I was matched with this amazing artisan that will be my partner and we'll provide support to each other to meet our goals. Can't wait to start this adventure, and being able to support my fabulous partner.  

3. Home Schooling Research: We are seriously considering Home School our Girl. This is a big step for us so we need to make a good research and decide on what to do.

4. Pelhuaz Blog: Dedicate more time to Pelhuaz Blog and be able to post every other week. As my time behind a computer is limited, I need to make reasonable target goals. My blog will be part of a fabulous handmade link up created by Rebecca Bee Designs Blog - The Year of Handmade. Let's see how this go!

Well I'm sure I'll achieve more than those 4 resolutions but this will provide me with a solid start!

Did you made a resolution list? I would love to know...
  
Besitos,
Zei