The Creative Process of an Olga Ayala Wedding Cake Topper...

I'm not the type of girl to fantasize much about my wedding day, particularly because I will change my mind a thousand times before I even find a suitable boyfriend. However, I've known for quite some time who I want to make my cake, and now, I know exactly who will be making my wedding cake topper. That person is Olga Ayala. For years she has been fascinating me with her endless creativity and multi-talents. As a matter of fact, I'm having a difficult time not getting distracted by my new Olga Ayala ring I am wearing as I type this! I must confess, after seeing this wedding cake topper, I have found myself fantasizing about what mine may look like. Though to most, it shouldn't be a surprise that I fantasize about anything food oriented and/or art and fashion related. If I were to marry now, I'm thinking that a white belly dance inspired wedding dress with aurora borealis crystal salsa shoes would be the ideal polymer clay sculpture to represent me (or my alter ego I should say). In my fantasy, it has a red base to match my dream cake design which I saw at a bridal expo that I went to for my baby sister's upcoming wedding.

Here are images of Olga's personalized wedding cake topper that I found on Facebook and the process of creation. I know that all of my salsero and rumbero friends will just love this one! Keep on scrolling to view the creative process of Olga's work with polymer clay and read the rest of this post caption style. I'll meet you again at the end of the photo journey! Keep on scrolling, keep on scrolling, keep on scrolling...

The beginning stages: You'll be amazed at what these wire and tin foil figures will be made into (forget that you saw the finished project at the top of this post please) ;)

Pictures of the bride to be at different angles, with various facial expressions doing a variety of things...

And to think it all started as a tin foil and wire figurine...(yeah, I have something to say for each photo, I love to "talk")

I love the details on the hem of the dress; a true bomba y plena wedding gown!

Without the veil, with the veil. Looks like she's about ready to dance down the aisle!

Getting the groom ready for his dancing bride...

and what's a dancing bride without music to dance to, provided by non other than the love of her life? Here you can see that Olga views the photos, not just to form the sculptures to the bride and grooms likeness, but also to capture their lifestyle and the things they enjoy doing.

So amazed! I love the detail on the instrument!

All done! Image 1

Image 2

With the hand of the artist.

A personalized wedding cake topper, made by the hands of a talented artisan is without a doubt a must for me now. It's also multifunctional piece of art; it will now undoubtedly be their favorite piece of home decor, reminding them of their special day and the love they share each and every time they look at it :)

Personalized Wedding Cake Topper by Olga Ayala=Best.Wedding.Cake.Topper.Idea.EVER!

You can tell by these photos that it takes a lot of work and talent to create this wonderful masterpiece. Olga never fails to impress me; I love her style and creative mind! Read below for all of her contact info. Thanks for reading!

Besos, Beijos, Filakia, MUAH!

Love,

Lisa xo

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Meet Olga Ayala, The Creme de la Creme of Artisans

Over the course of the week, and without a doubt throughout the course of our friendship, you will be hearing or reading about Olga Ayala from me. Whether through my blogs, my pictures, conversation, or conversational pieces (wearing her jewelry or neck warmers never fails at being a great ice breaker), I will be chit chatting about Olga and her work in combination of proudly wearing it. I may even be able to publish one of the two posts I have in drafts about her tonight, before the anticipated Queen Irene temporarily strips us of our electricity as predicted. Therefore, I'd like to publish this little post introducing you to this dear and talented woman. Please take a moment and read a little bit about her. Hopefully one day in the near future we will have an interview to share with you all!

Olga pictured above with her artwork

In the words of Olga Ayala: 

I'm a Nuyorican (Puerto Rican New Yorker) that grew up in the heart of Spanish Harlem in New York City, and I'm an alumnus of The High School of Art & Design in New York City.

While sitting on my mother’s lap as a very young girl while my mom made out the weekly grocery list, I saw her make a quick sketch of Mickey Mouse. I saw that my mom could draw better than anyone I knew and I begged her to teach me to draw too!

My father moonlighted as a Timbalero (Latin percussionist), and this gave me the life long passion I have for music, dance and Latin percussion instruments.

Growing up in the "rhythm section" and being immersed in my rich Puerto Rican culture filled with music, vibrant color, laughter and drama are themes that are often reflected in my work.

Olga creates an array of functional artistic pieces out of polymer clay. She also crochets beautiful scarves, purses and head pieces, each with a unique polymer clay accessory incorporated; Olga's signature finishing touch. From sculptures, to jewelry, to home decor, Olga creates unforgettable pieces of art that can be incorporated and enjoyed in our every day life in multiple ways. 

You can find Olga Ayala and keep up with her events on Facebook at Olga Ayala Handicrafts (Hecho a Mano) and visit her store at Etsy here to find more functional art in polymer.

Here are photos of Olga Ayala artwork that I own!

Olga Ayala Neck Warmer with a hand made polymer clay button closure finished in metallic paints. Photo taken by Paul Newland.

Crocheted Cowl Neck Warmer/Hood made by Olga Ayala. The bracelet I am wearing is also made by Olga, I used it for a photo shoot I was styling. You can find the above bracelet here. Photo by Eric Mayr

Pictured above is my first Olga Ayala purchase ever, my beautiful heart charm bracelet. I bought this for myself for Valentines Day :) Above the bracelet is a pair of earrings I had my eyes on for quite some time as well as the ring that says "love". I just wore all of them together yesterday and received so many compliments! The colors in the ring really pull together the bracelet and earrings, and the ring and bracelet create a more thematical look.

Giving is a Gift: One Leaf Creations, Fashion with a Cause

I just finished submitting a post on the "Glorified Fanny Pack" where my "new" favorite bag belt (as I called it) just so happened to be from One Leaf Creations. I found them on etsy.com, so I knew them by their username leilamos and didn't research the company name until I decided to look them up on Facebook. All I have to say is, WOW, how the Universe and the good Lord hear the song of your heart! I cannot only stress how much charity and doing for others mean to me, but also how much I cannot believe how closely it's related to a project that I've decided to start that I came up with in January (you will all see the first and beginning fruit of that labor next month!). I woke up this morning feeling as if I was never going to make a difference with my project (it's sooo much work on so many levels!), but coming across One Leaf Creations was a clear sign from God to continue working hard on my path; an idea was created quickly, but it takes much more time, work and practice to make it materialize.

One Leaf Creations is a North American fair trade market place which brings a variety of creations from artisans of remote impoverished communities. Among these creations are yak wool blankets, shawls and leather belts. You know, like my new favorite Glorified Fanny Pack that is now on my wish list (hint, hint... mom? ;-p) One Leaf also returns to these communities to actually work with and design with the artisans they help. The inspiration to create One Leaf Creations came from a 2008 visit through North India to set up micro-credit schemes and income generation skills for women in marginalized communities. They were deeply effected by the poverty that they witnessed, endeared by the love and generosity exuded by the people of these communities and, clearly, impressed with the talent. They endeavored to develop a way that the talents of these wonderful people could be used to provide them a better and more empowered lifestyle. You can read their story by clicking any of the text that says One Leaf Creations and I encourage you to visit their Facebook page and view the pictures in their album of India (and “like” them while you’re at it!). Their online store is currently closed while they are working on new designs with co-ops, but click here to be redirected to their stock on etsy.com. I recommend you contact them first if you are interested in a product, as they are now in India and I do not know if there is someone here handling those orders.

This photo warms my heart. Taken from One Leaf Creations Website

 The work of One Leaf Creations is a perfect example of good intentions being put to good use, as taught by Peter Drucker when saying that the goal of any non-for-profit (or charity for that matter) should be to make the user a doer. I agree, because for me it gives people a great sense of accomplishment and empowerment. It keeps them moving, productive, utilizing their talents...all which is the most useful for them in the long run. I admire that One Leaf not only brings back the art of impoverished communities, but goes out there and creates with them as well. Whether intended or not, this collaboration allows the artisans to create additional work that would appeal to an even larger audience here in North America, an opportunity that these talented artisans didn’t have before the creators of One Leaf discovered them.

On an end note, and to demonstrate further how funny life can be, I just read this on One Leaf’s Facebook Fan page after writing the last paragraph above and while editing to make sure I got all of their information correct. Chills down my spine:

“One Leaf is a social enterprise that supports and promotes economic development in remote regions of the Himalayas, and Western India, by creating an international market demand for the unique crafted goods produced by traditional co-ops. These creations offer high quality and great value to consumers, while empowering the lives of the producers. Each piece tells the story of the creator.

We are determined to ensure that our business integrates concepts of fairness, social empowerment, and environmental sustainability. By promoting the work and welfare of a single artisan, a positive change can be made.”

Peter Drucker would be impressed.

Thanks for reading my wonderful friends, I hope their story moves you as it did me and if so please support One Leaf Creations in any way that you can!

Love,

Lisa xo