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

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

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

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