think:Soap

I have moved to a new Blog....

2011-06-16T21:27:00.000-04:00

A warm hello to all my wonderful readers and followers....

I have been working on a new blog for a few months now. It is looking really good, and would love to see you guys over there. You can access it at this address

http://mysoulfulcolors.blogspot.com

I will not shut down Think:Soap, but I will not be doing much here anymore. Hope to meet you at the other side :)

Where I'm standing...

2011-05-05T11:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I spent a good hour of my afternoon reading this whole blog. Literally. It's been almost a year when I decided I was going to try to make my photography mine. I have grown tremendously since then. This is where I am now.

First of all, I got paid for my first event. yeay!! My dear friend Nalexa, from Fairy Wings Boutique, has really turned out to be my own fairy godmother. I have helped her out with her business, she has helped me out making sense of this transitional stage of mine. And yes, I have made some wings and tutus along the way. We are currently working together on the creation of Fairytale Birthdays at Home, which is an event planning service for magical birthdays. Really cute.

Secondly, there's Etsy. I have to admit that I went a little bit over the top with the Etsy shop. Yes, is still up and running, but it is really a sideshow, something extra. So I'm just toning it down a bit. I have started selling photography in both paulapi.etsy.com and rustika.etsy.com. Here are some of the pictures I've posted.

Chasing Love

Morning News with Mr. Finger

Through the Window

Dreamy Sunrise

If you like any of my photography and wish to support this project of mine, please visit any of my shops. I will be very happy to meet you over there :)

Rustika Photography is coming along. Along with FWB, I am getting in contact with some beautiful children for me to photograph in order to finish up my portfolio once and for all. I am also working with my sister in law developing an image for the brand, so that is in the works.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this little blog of mine. By doing this, you are allowing me to connect with other souls like you that are looking to make great things too.

Fairy Birthdays in Miami!!

2011-04-30T23:12:00.000-04:00

I have been working closely with Fairy Wings Boutique on this new project... If you're in Miami and you're looking for sweet birthday party idea, this is the place to go to.

Just Playing

2011-04-15T20:14:00.000-04:00

Make your own animation

Let go...

2011-04-13T21:04:00.000-04:00

Source: ffffound.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Whenever I post these typography images, I do it for a purpose. They often speak to me clearly and to the point, and I feel an urge to put them in a place where I'll surely see again.

Take it.... if you're reading, you probably need it too.

Spoken Words... a Ted video that is so worth watching...

2011-03-24T10:30:00.000-04:00

Inspiring.... Soulful....

The three things I know:
1. Light is everything
2. My heart is mine
3. I can do anything

What are your three things?

As shared by Lacy Young. Enjoy her writing... follow the link.

Authenticity is...

2011-03-23T20:59:00.001-04:00

Today I fell in love with the writings of Rene Brown. I choose to live an authentic life.

What's holding you back?

2011-03-15T08:30:00.001-04:00

Inertia is by definition:
a property of matter by which it continues in its existing state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line, unless that state is changed by an external force.

We are matter. Mutable, transforming, and ever changing matter. Inertia applies to the physics of our realities. Our bodies will move or will stay affixed unless an external force provokes the change of either setting in motion or stopping flat.

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I am a strong believer of change. Nothing will happen if something doesn't happen first. I have been going through a profound personal metamorphosis, allowing myself for the first time to explore my creative side and grow as a photographer. While inertia is doing its thing, I am finding myself being held back by forces that I am not yet aware of. These need to be revealed in order for me to free and continue the natural process of growth.

Our thoughts can become allies or foes in our own personal quest for growth. Feelings of guilt, failure or frustration all come from what I call "the grey zone" thoughts. For me it's a place where I don't take a stand. In my mind I decide to go with the flow of things, to see where will I fit, instead of standing firm on my convictions and fight for the kind of future that I want. It's when I don't say yes or no, but rather maybe, let's see. I hate it. I really do, but it's a comfort zone for me, so I get to that state of mind pretty easily. Nothing happens in the grey zone. It's a constant back and forth that rocks me in the same spot. It kind of shakes my ground, but it doesn't propel me into the next move I need to make.

These thoughts are the forces holding me back. I know it, but this is the first time I understand it. We are our thoughts. They are the invisible force that makes our matter to change from its original state. I choose to take a stand, and separate the grey from my future. I know what I want, and I am going for it.

Pi Day is today!

2011-03-14T10:53:00.000-04:00

Quote taken from Time Magazine:

The exact digits of Pi cannot ever truly be known. There's no way for us to figure out what Pi is and that's kind of an odd and curious thing for science. At its simplest, Pi is the measurement around the circle, divided by the measurement across the circle. The idea that something so simple should unfold in something that is unknowable is baffling."

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/03/14/qa-why-do-we-celebrate-pi-day/

Since ∏ is the greek representation of the letter P, I chose it as my own signature on my paulapi Etsy profile. Here is the link to my thread woven bracelet.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64798442/pi-symbol-hand-woven-bracelet

Invention and Making

2011-02-02T09:34:00.001-05:00

I had forgotten about Ted for too long. Yes, the website. Ted.com. A place exclusively designated for intelligent conversations. Talks by great thinkers for curious and open receptors.

I found this inspiring talk on inventing and making things. The title suggests that "We are all makers". Yes, I believe we are. I believe human beings have an extraordinary capacity for understanding how things work, the why's and how's of mechanical functions. I believe that we have enough sensitivity to create magical worlds through literature and visual imagery, to compose astonishing musical pieces that can elevate the spirit into a higher ground. We all can make anything we want. We can transform our realities by the power of choice. But we first have to choose we want to make these things. You first need to believe you are a maker too.

For all of you crafters, artists and idealists, here is the conference for you to view.....

Featured Shop: A Feline Affair

2011-02-01T22:48:00.001-05:00

All About Cats... handmade items for Cats and the humans who love them.... This is the beauty of Handmade. With creativity and ingenuity, little ideas turn out to be successful projects. Enjoy!

http://AllAboutCats.etsy.com

Asking the right questions

2011-02-01T12:46:00.000-05:00

There is a moment in life when one should stop everything and stare right back at oneself. Look at you. Look at who you are, where are you standing, your surroundings. Acknowledge everything about you, your sadness, your joy, your restlessness... what moves you and what stops you flat.

In that moment, in that precise second, ask. Talk to yourself and find out that thing, the splinter that's holding you back. Look for the burning sensation on the mouth of your stomach, dare to dig that place that you've put aside, where you hide the leftovers of your busy life, and ask. The questions are personal, and they will reveal themselves to you. Look for them, embrace them, and them start the transformation.

Be prepared. This exercise is the beginning of it all. When we ask the right questions, a revolution starts within our soul. These questions are the fuel needed for progress, for evolution. They remove the rust on our brain and challenge us in limitless ways.

Life should not be a series of accidents. Take charge, and believe.

Etsy Featured Shop: Crafted Love

2011-01-26T18:00:00.000-05:00

Us artists have a curious mind. And a curious mind leads us to the most unexpected paths.

Take my dear friend Allison, from Crafted Love. She is an architect student, photographer, graphic designer, and crafter. Ufff... she's definitely busy. Did she say photographer? I had to ask.

She shared some of her photography, and I was pleasantly surprised. Spontaneous and crisp, the pictures told a story.

If you look close enough you'll be able to see her reflection on his sunglasses. This portrait definitely holds potential for future photographic development.

As with her photography, her craft has a simple yet refined appearance that attracts customers time and time again.

Feel free to visit her store and browse the beautiful items she creates. I'm sure you'll find a little something that will suit you beautifully.

http://craftedlove.etsy.com

Etsy Featured Shop: Ardent Reverie

2011-01-19T09:55:00.001-05:00

San Diego has a lot in common with Miami: great weather, the sea, art, and of course, excellent handmade artists.

And this is the location of my latest Etsy discovery. Ardent Reverie turns out to be a collaboration of two sisters with beautiful ideas. Yarn, beads, fabric, paint, and canvas serve as medium in their creative enterprise. Colorful, simple and eclectic, this little shop calls for the bohemian (like me) to explore and acknowledge their exquisite taste.

Brick Red Chunky Cowl

Customizable Brass Pendant

I love, love, love this origami crane hair clip

and my favorite of all, is this mixed media art. I include the items description:

Original painting done in acrylic paint.
Actual fabric and thread are sewn into the canvas. In addition the needle used is also attached.

Ardent Reverie also has a webpage where they keep their followers up to date on their creative adventures. Check them out and discover this authentic Etsy store.

Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ardentreverie?ref=seller_info

Website: http://www.ardentreverie.com

I miss my island...

2011-01-12T09:09:00.002-05:00

I was born and raised in an island. A tiny island in the Caribbean, filled with songs, heat, and humor. The breeze carries a salty flavor that sticks to your skin on humid days. A flavor that lingers on your tongue after swiftly brushing your lips in particularly humid days. The breeze, a soft and timid carrier of all kinds of aromas: freshly ground coffee, coconut oil, pineapple juice, cinnamon, and sea.

My island loves music, loves rhythm, loves percussion. It dances to the sound of drums as if it's possessed by african gods. Marching its way through the pebbled streets of the old city, it shouts for joy and celebration. For all the good and the bad.

I yearn for my island. I miss the people, their smiles and faces. The familiarity of everything, the streets I grew in, the songs on the radio, singing out loud while driving my old car, my dog, my short pants, my flip flops, the island state of mind, watching the coast fade away on my rear view mirror, the long days at the beach, eating street foods and a beer.

Those are the things I miss.

Etsy Feature Shop: A little bit of Sunshine in the middle of Winter

2011-01-11T10:58:00.000-05:00

This morning Miami woke up with a mist hanging from the clouds. It was foggy and cold, and I wondered where was my dear friend Sunshine when we needed it the most.

And I found it!! LoveElycia kept it in her Etsy shop. Sunshine was so happy there, that pulled me in with him and showed me all the fun and beautiful collection this shop has.

Say Anything Headbands

I particularly liked this "Speak your Mind" art prints

I think I'll get me one of these silly mustaches

A lovely spring dress for the sunny days ahead

LoveElycia also has a really funky and entertaining blog that kept me browsing and reading for a while. It is really exciting to find lovely spirits that share the same good energy.

Here is her blog address...

http://www.loveelycia.com

The Kiss, by Gustav Klimt

2011-01-04T18:51:00.000-05:00

... the warmth of his embrace comforted her; it lifted her spirit into a sublime state of contentment that remained for the rest of their existence... π

I am lucky to say that my love kisses me daily. After a while we started dating, I told him that he reminded me of this painting. He'd never heard of Klimt before, and was astonished at the image the first time I presented it to him.

In honor to our kisses, I did a decoupage pendant that I am currently selling at my Etsy store. Follow the link below to see the listing...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/65273647/the-kiss-of-lovers-a-masterpiece-wood

Hello, New Year

2011-01-03T12:26:00.001-05:00

First post of 2011. And so it starts....

I spent the first weekend of the year at home with my sweetheart. Watching movies, researching on the net, brainstorming on new things to come. It was good.

There's a vibrancy in the air that I can barely describe. It's an anticipation, a hunch.

In the meantime, I leave you with inspiration that I've found on my adventurous wonderings through Flickr.

From Lang's Flickr Photostream

From Anja's Flickr Photostream

From William McCarthy

Life in rosy hues

2010-12-23T10:06:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, my mom and I listened to Edith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose". I barely understand French, but she does pretty well. She had an intense study course while in her college years, and although she is quite rusty, she still manages to follow a conversation or at least is able to translate pieces of the song.

This morning I woke up with the tune in my head and had an urgency for understanding the whole song. The words are beautiful and dreamy, the same way the melody makes you feel airy. It speaks of a great love, so great and so divine, that makes her see life in rosy hues. And while skepticism for a feeling so ethereal creeps in my head, my heart knows exactly what it is to feel so in love. I have a battle in my soul that denies me the privilege of letting go and enjoy love as it has presented to me, and I am constantly letting go of my walls of self defense. I know he does too. Love doesn't look so rosy while still having the bittersweet taste of failed relationships on your shoulders. But love is here indeed. There's no denying it. No wonder my eyes filled with tears this morning while reading the song: my heart loves so much that wants to see life in rosy hues too.

LA VIE EN ROSE (English translation)

Eyes that gaze into mine,
A smile that is lost on his lips—
That is the unretouched portrait
Of the man to whom I belong.

When he takes me in his arms
And speaks softly to me,
I see life in rosy hues.
He tells me words of love,
Words of every day,
And in them I become something.
He has entered my heart,
A part of happiness
Whereof I understand the reason.
It’s he for me and I for him, throughout life,
He has told me, he has sworn to me, for life.
And from the things that I sense,
Now I can feel within me
My heart that beats.

In endless nights of love,
A great delight that comes about,
The pains and bothers are banished,
Happy, happy to die of love.

When he takes me in his arms
And speaks softly to me,
I see life in rosy hues.
He tells me words of love,
Words of every day,
And in them I become something.
He has entered my heart,
A part of happiness
Whereof I understand the reason.
It’s he for me and I for him, throughout life,
He has told me, he has sworn to me, for life.
And from the things that I sense,
Now I can feel within me
My heart that beats.

You can find the original french song and some info on this site:
http://www.useless-knowledge.com/1234/06apr/article064.html

It's an Etsy thing

2010-12-21T09:10:00.000-05:00

Ok, so by now you all know how I dig the whole handmade market revolution. I've been an Etsy buyer for a long while now, and have actually helped some friends to put up their stores shooting good looking pictures. I have contemplated the idea of putting up a store of mine, but I just didn't know what to sell. Of course, selling photography would be my first obvious choice, but I'm not quite there yet. There is a tight competition of really good photographers and I just don't want to show up with some crappy, unprepared collection. I have to think this through.

But then my sweetie instructed me on how to make handmade woven thread bracelets. Ta Daaaaa! I'm hooked. Obsessed. Literally. And I did a test.... I put up a store and just started selling personalized bracelets, and so far, there's an interest. There's a cool market out there wanting colorful, funky bracelets, and I just love it :-) Here is a sample of what customers have requested....

No, don't worry, I won't go overboard and start posting non-stop propaganda on this blog, but be aware that I will be sliding in some posts here and there on Etsy life and how it all works. It's really worth the try...

Good Morning, Christmas Time :)

2010-12-20T10:07:00.001-05:00

My mom came to visit for the holidays. Yesterday we brought her to our apartment and she stayed the whole afternoon with us, drinking wine and eating pizza. This is the second time my sweetheart actually met with her, and I think they're starting to know each other better. We talked about everything and anything that came across, including memories of my father and my childhood back home. It's good to have her here for the Holidays. She is my Christmas. Music and good food have always been present in my life thanks to her. She brought all the warm memories of happy childhood times with her, and I thank her for that.

P.S.This is the cup of coffee I was telling you about in my previous post. You see what I mean? ;)

With a cup of coffee...

2010-12-16T09:08:00.000-05:00

I got up this morning so cold, that I rushed into the kitchen and made myself a warm and yummy cup of coffee. Us latin girls like our coffee with milk and sugar. Steamy and comforting.

So, it is with this hot treat that I come to write. Writing always has a way with my mind: it quiets it down. I'm in a constant conversation with myself, and I often think this is the reason why I loose so much hair. My hair falls down like quiet snow does on a winter night. No, I'm not bald, but I do loose more hair than I know is normal.

My photography has been on hold for a month now. I went on a little trip with my sweetheart to NYC. I know New York pretty well, so I offered my tour guide services to him and he accepted. We walked and walked like two crazy people! And even though I've been to this city so many times, just being there with him made it so much different. I had my birthday on a cruise by the Hudson River. The sun set while we were on it and the city looked amazing. The lights, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Bldg.... all those places looked so new to me from that perspective. Sometimes we think we know everything later to find out that we don't. I think that's about true with everything. Think hard and you'll know what I'm talking about.

With November gone, December came with all the cold in the world. We were happy we were able to leave the North before all the snow started to fall. But oh, it's been 30 degrees in Miami! That's crazy, I know. I'm enjoying it while it lasts. With my warm cup of coffee, I'll be able to beat the cold over and over again.

Lovely Belly

2010-12-06T16:37:00.000-05:00

December Blues

2010-12-06T16:35:00.000-05:00

The end of the year. The end of a long, confusing and hectic year.

I'm not complaining. On the contrary, I am hopeful. Year end always puts me in a meditative trance, like a buddhist monk in a constant state of meditation. Reviewing, rewinding my memory and cleaning the dust that comes out from it. We are the net result of the cumulative effect of our decisions, of our rights and wrongs. It's ok, I can deal with my wrongs alright. Let's just move along, shall we?

And that's what year end is all about... moving along. Stepping into new ground and smelling the fresh grass underneath our feet. Hopeful. At ease. Content. In peace.

Let your breath be your witness

2010-10-20T13:53:00.000-04:00

I went to Yoga class today. We had a different teacher, and it was a totally different feeling. The energy was paced and soothing, and my movements were easier to follow. Perhaps I'm getting better. Or maybe the leader's energy agreed with me in some way.

If you've ever been to a Yoga class, you know how breathing is important. The inhale and exhale mark the ins and outs of movements and poses. As the class intensifies, your breathing does too. It makes us aware of our bodies; it draws our attention to our present. Those uncomfortable poses challenge our rigid sense of self. The straightforward idea of all things vertical disappear, leaving only the comfort of a twisted heart and soul. It was during one of those twists when the teacher said to the class, "Breath. Let your breath be the witness of yourself." That line spoke to me so dearly. It clearly stated the intimacy of the Yoga. You, meeting with your own self in a delightful state of concentration and achievement.

I wish I had more of this intimacy with my own self. I was reading on some Yoga online forum on the intentions people bring to their practices. It is at the beginning of every class where we state our own intentions, our own energy. I usually put my energy towards me, being a better person. I walk around with myself every single moment, and it is my intention to be at peace with me, to the person that I truly am, and not the person I think I am. There's a huge difference. For the most part of my 33 years of age (soon to be 34), I have fed the person I have thought I am. I'm done with that. My true self is much more, and I plan to meet with me daily, for the rest of my life. To spend more time breathing awareness and letting my breath be my witness in the process.

Considering Children Photography

2010-10-19T17:42:00.001-04:00

This is my first attempt at baby photography. Of course, I have photographed children before, but not in my tiny studio, and not with a one year old. Uffff.... it was fun alright! The baby girl was a vivacious one, curious and wanting to touch everything and anything she could lay her hands on. Most of the first half of the session was an attempt on my part to get at least a couple of good pics. I wanted to get everything in the frame... head, arms, feet.... and truthfully, it was the biggest challenge ever. But, after a while, her energy started waning down, and that's when I was able to get this one good shot.

Yoga photography and more....

2010-10-01T20:03:00.000-04:00

Well.... looks like it's picking up. I have a couple of new projects and I am really excited about all of them.

Yoga. I started practicing Yoga about two years ago. Truthfully, like many other ideas I've had in the past, I started it and didn't follow it. I have to admit that I have a tendency to get hyper and psyched about things, and then letting them drop. I'm like a kid that wants a toy and cries and cries until it gets it, and then he gets bored and puts it aside. Yep, that's me alright. But yoga is such a great exercise, that I've always wanted to put my mind into it and master it. And since I have more free time than I used to, I decided to rejoin my old yoga school. My teacher was really happy to see me again and welcomed me in as if I have never left.

I also approached her with my photography and we are already starting a yoga photography project. We are both excited and looking forward for the photo shoot session this next week.

Of Cash Flow and God

2010-09-17T15:36:00.001-04:00

Don't think that I have abandoned my journaling. I haven't. I come to the blog almost daily, having all sorts of ideas and experience that I would like to share with you. But the truth is that I go blank once I hit the New Post icon.

Much is going, but all of it is happening inside of me. I am trying to build a business that is all about being there and making it happen, but it looks as if I'm not. I've had some delays in cash flow that have put me in a position of waiting and re-assesing.

Good news: I paid off my car loan.
Bad news: I had to use some of my business resources to do it.

But I had to do it. It was one of those pending things that float around your head and you just don't know how to get rid of it. I just did. Done.

Life is a give and take. I had a list of things that I NEEDED to buy in order for the photography business to be effective. The list got shorter. I managed to downsize it to the minimum, and I have to make it work with the bare essentials. I am an intelligent and resourceful woman, and I am being put to the test.

There's been a lot of talk in the news about this Hawkings guy in England who says that he can scientifically prove God's non-existance. I've had a pretty rough couple of weeks, and this article just added to my confused and irritated state of mind. I honestly stopped for a second and thought about this idea: that God could really be just a reflection of our own delirious and confused psychology. The thought irritated me, and really made me angry. Because it made me feel hopeless and insecure. Because it goes against everything I've believed in all my life.

I resolved my conflict by choosing. The fact is there's a 50/50 chance of it being true. There's 50% chance of God not existing at all, and there's another 50% chance of It being there, supporting and surrounding our spaces with Its presence. I am on the believers side. I choose to be on the side of the ones that hold their breath when speak Its Name, the ones that pray knowing that is being heard. I need to know this Being is the one testing my limits right now, and that in fact, is holding something greater and magnificent for my own little existence. I am driven by a natural instinct of self-improvement that I know comes from a greater source of wisdom.

I chose this. And I am holding on to It.

A weird, inconsistent month

2010-08-30T18:04:00.000-04:00

August is at its end, and is closing with a grand finale.

The last three weeks were a combination of accomplishments, out of town affairs, family, bad airport days, reading, and now rain, rain, rain. There's a hurricane coming its way to Miami, and I can't help but obsess about it. Let's see how that one goes.

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Product Photography: Cassidy Creek Soap Co.

2010-08-21T21:48:00.000-04:00

Soaps! Oh yes, soaps are part of my first set of product photography. Catherine Martel, owner of Cassidy Creek Soap Co., trusted me and sent me some of her wonderful soaps for me to photograph. I really wish I could transmit the delicious smells of the soaps through this blog! When I opened the box, my apartment was filled with roses, lemongrass, and teak. I think it's been the best smelling photo sessions I've ever had. Enjoy the pictures, and don't forget to check out her new Etsy store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CassidyCreekSoap

Busy, busy, busy

2010-07-25T11:18:00.000-04:00

I'd say that last week has been the busiest week since I started my solo project.

Spent a day taking pictures for Fairy Wings, received the soaps from Cassidy Creek, had my first high fashion studio shoot ever (which was very cool), worked on my product photography website, and had been editing pictures in Photoshop non-stop. Ufff!

It's Sunday and I need to cool down for a bit. I'm planning on going to the gym for a swim, stopping at the supermarket, buying some groceries and cook a good old home-cook dinner. Homemade meatballs, pasta, fresh salad.... oh yes.

Chill' out... that's what I'll do. Because I'm getting impatient, and need to refocus.

Ommmmm....

Of Escher and the reality of illusion

2010-07-17T10:57:00.001-04:00

I have been a fan of Escher's work since I was young. His ability to create illusion, to portray surreal pictures, have always fascinated me.

I own this drawing. Well, a poster of the original drawing to be exact. I framed in a simple black and white setting, and is sitting on top of my computer. I stare at it quite often. It draws me in like a magnet, as I try to find a new feature, a new hidden angle on his contorted surroundings.

And I wonder, am I holding a crystal ball in my hand? Am I looking at my surroundings as this same reflection? Bended? Disfigured? Unreal? Are my conclusions tainted by my own prejudice?

We become as a result of our own history. It is really difficult to detach oneself from previous experiences, and even to rationalize these past occurrences as merely that.... past events. So, as a result, we are doomed to perceive ourselves like the distorted room on Escher's drawing. It is our choice to remove the crystal ball, and look around with our own eyes.

We choose what we want to see. Don't be fooled by illusion. Illusion derives from something greater. It always does. Look for the source... it will reveal the reality from within the illusion. And then you will be able to separate fact from fiction.

Cassidy Creek Soaps

2010-07-14T12:29:00.001-04:00

I am very happy to announce that I will be photographing the fabulous products of Cassidy Creek Soaps!!

I have been exchanging emails with Catherine, a new Canadian entrepreneur, who's products will soon be available at her new Etsy store. She just informed me that the package is in its way. I can't wait to smell and hold her soaps! I will tell you all about it, so stay tuned.

A simple white Origami crane

2010-07-14T12:24:00.000-04:00

More to come... and with colors :)

New interest

2010-07-13T15:15:00.000-04:00

I didn't know paper could be such an interesting thing. I have suddenly found a passion with origami, and now I see papers everywhere. I touch them, feel their texture, and wonder if any of them will fold nicely while I try to make a new figure. I have fallen in love with paper and there's no turning back...

Now, Photography is the truest of all my loves. And I am making progress. I found a Meetup group called Light-Pro Photography here in Miami and woohoo!, I think I found something really good. I will be learning everything that has to do with the usage of lighting, and that precisely is the difference between a photographer and a Professional Photographer. Knowing to use light in your favor. Manipulate it. Not just counting on the random good shot. Doing one excellent shot after another, knowing exactly what to do to accomplish it each and every time.

I have also started on my Product Photography website. Color Depth Design is working with me in that department. Too many options..... and looking forward to go through them all.

Surreal Imagery... Beautiful Song

2010-07-08T09:37:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine posted this video on Facebook, and it just blew my mind away. Enjoy.

A Sorta Fairytale with You- Lyrics

on my way up north

up on the ventura

i pulled back the hood

and i was talking to you

and i knew then it would be

a life long thing

but i didn't know that we

we could break a silver lining

and i'm so sad

like a good book

i can't put this day back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

things you said that day

up on the 101

the girl had come undone

i tried to downplay it

with a bet about us

you said that-

you'd take it

as long as i could

i could not erase it

and i'm so sad

like a good book

i can't put this day back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

and i ride along side

and i rode along side

you then

and i rode along side

till you lost me there

in the open road

and i rode along side

till the honey spread

itself so thin

for me to break your bread

for me to take your word

i had to steal it

way up north i took my day

all in all was a pretty nice

day and i put the hood

right back where

you could taste heaven

perfectly

feel out the summer breeze

didn't know when we'd be back

and i, i don't

didn't think

we'd end up like

like this

and i'm so sad

like a good book

i can't put this day back

a sorta fairytale

with you

a sorta fairytale

with you

Epiphany

2010-07-07T12:22:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I had a "spread your wings and fly" epiphany. As I was writing a blog post at My Fairy Wings Boutique blog, I remembered something I had written on a personal journal I used to keep:

"Life is too short to ignore what you do with it. Be passionate, be creative, but above all, be true to yourself."

When I wrote this line, I was going through a very deep depression. Nothing in my life at that moment made sense, and this was a desperate call for me to step up and do something about it. Two years later, I am surrounded by completely new circumstances: a new relationship, a new sense of being, a new address, even a new haircut. Too much new is good, but it can be a little bit scary sometimes. The familiarity of everything else is gone. I have to mark new safe zones, new comforts. Leave behind old ways of doing, and rebirth into this new version of myself. I am making progress. Slowly but surely.

I do know that life is short. Time passes by like a soft wind against your face, fading away almost exactly as it first presented itself. So, everything you do now counts. Everything. Every laughter, every kiss, every idea, your creative being, the effort you put into your projects, your dreams, everything.

My father died last November (check out the link to see his picture). I took this picture exactly one year before his death, on a Thanksgiving weekend in 2008. We spent that sunset playing with my new camera, learning the tricks, practicing against the marvelous sky. He was the only one who got it. He was the only one that would take the time to do photography with me. No one else cared enough. That extra time, that little project of ours, made a difference in my life. And he made sure it counted for something great. So, as I try on making a business in photography, I think so much of him. In all the things I wish I could ask him now. But his time came, and he gave me exactly what I needed, when I needed it.

All I have to do now is believe I can do it. Believe and put all my effort into becoming it a reality. This is only the beginning.

Indie Craft Bazaar Summer Event, Ft. Lauderdale

2010-07-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

I found out about this Handmade event in Ft. Lauderdale. Save the date!! July 18th, from 1p.m. to 6 p.m. They are still looking for vendors. Follow the LINK to their website. They also have a Facebook page.

Where Fashion, Art, and Music Meet

2010-07-01T11:15:00.002-04:00

This is the kind of stuff that thrills me! Yesterday I met with the wonderful people at Dekka, a new and upcoming gallery/boutique in Hallendale Beach. They are putting together a unique space for new artists, fashionistas, designers, and Handmade entrepreneurs to display their creations in a very unique space. Located at 139 NE 1st Ave, it offers an array of possibilities for business and community development.

Josh (owner and artist) showed me the place and talked to me about all the ideas they are bringing to the table. The city is backing their efforts and are working together to make this strip a one of a kind.

If you happen to be looking for an affordable place to start showcasing your Handmade products, this is a good place to go. Look for the mannikin with the "Open" sign. You won't miss it.

Contact:

Joshua Tiktin

Cel: (240)355.1265
joshuatiktin@msn.com

Address:

139 NE 1st. Ave.

Hallendale, FL 33009

www.dekkafam.com

Here soapy, soapy

2010-06-30T11:56:00.001-04:00

I am shopping for soaps. The last purchase I did was back in November, for my birthday. It was a pretty depressing birthday and needed to treat myself with something nice. I bought soaps.

Eight months have passed and today I opened the last bar of my birthday shopping spree. I have cried so much during those months, and most of it has been in my bath, with my soaps. Today, my spirit is much different. I am looking forward to new ways of presenting myself to the world, and to attempt a completely different approach for becoming. So, the soaps that I will be buying now will have a totally different task.

And speaking of becoming... The pictures I have been taking for Fairy Wings Boutique are coming along. We are planning different shoots and marketing ideas. Here is a picture I took of one pair of wings. We went to the beach at sunset and the pictures came up pretty nice. I have no idea what this project will bring. I am meeting new and very creative people along the way, and is really exciting. Tonight I will be visiting a Handmade market in North Miami. As far as I know, this is the only Handmade market in the area. I have my hopes high so let's see what this visit will bring.

I encourage these types of Markets. They gather together a community that would otherwise be secluded. The most cost-effective way for an upcoming Handmade business to actually sell their creations is through a website. The face to face interaction with clients is out of the picture. So, if you happen to find a Farmers or Handmade market in your area, go for it.

I will continue my search for soaps now. I will keep you posted on my final picks. If you have any sugestions, bring 'em on!

My first Pro Bono Client

2010-06-24T08:49:00.001-04:00

I have a client! And of course, a promise is a promise. I will be taking pictures of her fabulous Fairy Wings free of charge.

About two years ago, she started making little fairy wings and started selling them online. Little did she know that she would be setting up her own website and having an incredible amount of orders. Fairy Wings Boutique is an ongoing business. We met last week and she wants to take it to a new level. She's doing lots of changes to the website and updating the photography and image. It is such a wonderful project, and I am really excited to be part of it. Here's a pic of the kind of stuff she does. I am still battling some lighting issues, but I will get it right.

These rustic wings are my favorites. They are simple and delicate and have the Handmade stamp all over them.

FREE Product Photography Set

2010-06-18T10:42:00.000-04:00

Since I am starting this Product Photography project and I really need to build up my portfolio pictures, I am offering a FREE 20 pics session. You will be able to use them on your website or Etsy shop. Anybody interested on doing this with me, please contact me. I am really nice :) You'll love working with me.

An adventurous Spirit

2010-06-17T18:38:00.003-04:00

I am a true follower of the Handmade movement. I see it as the precise spot where skill meets ingenuity. Take out the factories and the cookie cutter molds, put in creativity, attention to detail, dedication, and... you got yourself a unique piece. One special something that will make the difference on this vast sea of random merchandise.

The trick, however, is how to make your handcraft idea into a successful business.

Like any other business, it takes a lot of guts to make it work. A lot of planning and experimenting. Practicality, a lot of sense, but above all, a lot of Spirit. Whenever I meet a new Handmade entrepreneur, my eyes focus and I get curious on knowing what drives this person into doing it. What idea is moving this person into putting so much into something that it may not work.

Adventure. The thrill, the risk, the trust you put in yourself. Why shouldn't it work? It could be the best idea you will ever have, and it could be THE idea.

Trust your instincts. Plan carefully. Enjoy your craft. Work hard. It will pay off.

*I would love to hear your story, wether good or bad, or you don't know yet. Thanks for reading.

Life and Soap

2010-06-15T08:12:00.001-04:00

I have come to the conclusion that life is like soap.

Every single decision counts. The ingredients, the stuff its made of, is critically important. Extra care must be exercised when deciding what stays and what goes. Career choices, partnerships, living arrangements, likes, dislikes.... it all winds up in the enormous pot that is your heart, waiting to be mixed. If, for some reason, we rush into this selection, the consistency of the mixture does't flow. Is not right. But in reality, the true test of the ingredients comes with the lye.

The lye's job is to break down the ingredients. It melts them and transforms them into a completely new and unique element. It bounds the ingredients to such degree, that they no longer represent their original state. And so it is with life too. As we grow older, relationships bound us, tide us, and leave profound marks. When we get closer to the heat of tests, our souls transform into something we didn't know we were. And all we are left with is patience. Waiting. Letting things settle, and hope that the soap sets.

It is at this point when we decide if the choices were correct. If we got it right in the first try, or if we need to make adjustments. Go back to the ingredients and shuffle things one more time, and try again. This is the true craft of soapmaking. And I believe it is a craft that lasts a lifetime.

We will end up with a soap in our hands. We will enter our own space, in the bath, our own quiet time, and we will try the soap. It is there, you alone with the soap, where you will enjoy the results and smile. In the end, the smile is what matters. The true satisfaction of a well lived life accompanied by the small luxury of a good handmade soap.

Three months later...

2009-10-30T12:43:00.008-04:00

Life happened. Things got complicated. I left my soapmaking aside.

Whenever a life-changing event presents itself, everything else stops. The drive which had you doing and thinking on everything else changes its course, and now all the energy redirects on solving problems and dealing with miscommunication. It is tiresome.

But, even though your life gets momentarily out of synch, everything else continues being. That is the case with the Doral Farmers' Market (follow the link to visit their blog).

I got involved with the market ever since day one. My dear friend Andrea has been working very hard for the market to happen, and she's been counting on my soapmaking efforts. My original idea was to sell my soaps on the market and be the Soap Lady, as we've been joking all this time. But everything collapsed above my head and I just couldn't continue experimenting.

Then, I met Rob. He's just a dude who happens to make soap. How cool is that! I met him at the Coconut Grove's market. He's the founder and owner of Earthistry, and his line of products are just excellent. Plain and simple soaps filled with the good stuff.... olive oil, essential oils, natural products. So, my entrepeneur spirit kicked in. I'm buying his soaps and selling them at the market. At least this season, until I can get my act together and continue learning the craft.

Tomorrow's the first day at the market and I have everything ready to start. I'll keep you posted on how things turn out. Wish me luck!

I made soap today :)

2009-06-28T21:29:00.002-04:00

I am really, really happy because I was able to make my very first batch of soap today!! My sister in law assisted me in the process, reading out loud the instructions as I was mixing and pouring. It was a simple recipe, without colors or scents, but that's ok... I had to keep it simple. I will try the hand mill procedure later on with this same batch, so I have to do some more research on the subject. I have a week or so until the soap dries out, leaving me some good space to place my orders.

I am just surprised on how relatively easy it was. Yes, I had to make sure my measurements were right, but other than that, it wasn't complicated at all. Even the lye, which was my main concern, wasn't a big deal. I just had to be careful.

Lye

2009-06-24T07:12:00.004-04:00

I found this video in Youtube that thought was quite interesting.

I'm new to the whole idea of soapmaking, and I'm pretty fascinated by the process.

Gathering

2009-06-23T21:59:00.003-04:00

This is going to be my guide for my first soapmaking experience. "Smart Soapmaking" by Anne L. Watson is the name of the book, and I got it from Amazon. The reviews are really good. In fact is the only book on the subject with the full 5 star mark. I've read it twice already, and the instructions are specific and straight forward.

The first recipe I will attempt is called Shea Butter Supreme. The ingredients include coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter. I'm still waiting for my order to arrive. In the meantime, I've been looking for tutorials in Youtube. I've found some good ones, and I will share them as I go. I have to admit that the lye kind of freaks me out :-0 but I really can't wait to try it!!

Welcome Post

2009-06-22T07:53:00.000-04:00

Hello. This is a welcome note to myself. I have wanted to try making soap for a long time now, but thought it was a challenge beyond my skills. But after reading, and reading, and reading, I got to the conclusion that I could probably do this.

So in an attempt to keep my mind sane throughout the process, I started this blog.

think:Soap