#thePerfectMonday Week 4

Oh boy what a weekend! 

We started Friday with a field trip to the Old San Juan, and those kids of mine spend a fabulous time running, playing, being silly, and flying kites. 

Take a look of my accomplishments: 

From Pelhuaz:

• Things are going great. Due to few orders, and a sales hosted by Vistaprint, I was able to ordered new presentation cards. Here's a sneak peak:

• I kept working with the product photos, and they are looking much better now. Even, Storenvy shared one at their Twitter. That was exciting!

• I also completed a custom order of seven keychains for Mother's Day, that looked pretty awesome.

From My Homeschooling Project:

• Week #34 was completed. 
• We have 4 more weeks and we are DONE!
• We covered all the planned material related to: 
• Math Awareness Month,
• Earth Day 
• Poetry Month, 

Spanish

• Review and evaluation of Chapter 7: De donde vienes

English

• Prepositions and Conjunctions

Science

• Review and evaluation of Chapter 8: Heat and Light

Math

• Metric Measurements

Field Trip

• This was the best field trip so far! Was related to History and the way Spain managed the colonisation of Puerto Rico, and defended our territories from other countries. We visited El Morro - that it's an impressive fort located in San Juan. We learned, we visited the exhibition, and we flight kites. So much fun!

Enjoy your week, and embrace #thePerfectMonday! 

\\

#HandmadeFavorites

If you follow my Facebook, you will notice that I share lots of Link-Ups where amazing artist (and most of them Friends) shared their awesome work. Well, here are my favorites for the week:

#CJLINKUP by The Craft Junkies: 

As stated in their website: "#CJLinkUp are a collection of handmade products from around the world! These link-ups are designed to promote your business, along with the opportunity to be discovered by other makers and customers. Let’s work together and spread the word of handmade!" 

My favorites from #CJLinkUp Week 9 are:

Peace Love Happiness Stamped Aluminum Tag by NerdTastic

Monster Napkin Rings for Baby Shower or Birthday Party by Adore by Nat

#EarthLinkUp by Pinecone Grove

It's a biweekly link-up, that feature earth conscious brands on each edition of the  Earth Friendly Link-Up . This week our Pretty Tassels were featured... Yay!

My favorites from #EarthLinkUp No. 16 are: 

Reality is Inaccurate Tote by NerdFelt

Crimson Round Magnets by Wilde Moon

#HandmadeLove by Kiser Kraft Handmade

This is one of my favourite blogs. Kelly is such a good friend that always is there to support all my craziness. #HandmadeLove is an awesome link up where handmade makers can share and show their fabulous items. This week our Agate Slice made it to the Krazy Views.

My favorite from #HandmadeLove Week 31 are:


Kawaii bunny and bear necklace by You Deserve Cute

Acorn Hunter Adult Organic Cotton Tee by Pinecone Grove

#PenguinLuv by The Craft Penguin

This is a weekly linkup for handmade products from online shop. Its goal is to help promote handmade biz and get items seen by new groups of people. Isn't that awesome? 

My favorites from Penguin Luv Week 33 are:

Morning Caffeine Mug by NerdFelt

Primitive STAR Light Switch Plate by LilLouises 

Well, there you have it... All awesome items... All my favorites!

We are back in business...

After a year of experimenting in running my website, doing homeschool to my Girl, babysitting my now Toddler Baby Boy, and taking care of all the SAHM issues that comes in the way... I decided to close most of Pelhuaz presence, and just gave up. 

Yeah shit happens!

Well, after further consideration, I decided to try again. I re-opened my Storenvy Shop (which is the best way to proceed right now, as they incorporated Paypal again into the Marketplace... Let me hear an AMEN!). 

Little by little, I'll be more visible but all in my own pace. I'm not looking to be famous, nor rich... If that happen, I won't complain :D... I just want to be useful to others, and just use my time in the way I like it! 

So, now you can find me at my Storenvy Shop , at Facebook, at Instagram and at Twitter. I'll be updating this blog shortly, as all the links are outdated or will not take you anywhere. Sorry for that. 

Also, it's probably that I change the name of it, but that we'll see. 

Well, this was a quick note that I made while the kids were playing, actually screaming for the governance of the TV control.  

Hope your week is full of great moments that you treasure with the family. This is a very important week for lots of us that believe in Love. Wishing you the best, and write to you later! :D  

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

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