Where I'm standing...

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.

It's an Etsy thing

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...

Lovely Belly

Cassidy Creek Soaps

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.

Where Fashion, Art, and Music Meet

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

FREE Product Photography Set

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

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.

Three months later...

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!