the soulfrito marketplace

from the soulfrito marketplace
The Diaspora Jewelry Collection: African, Latino, Caribbean

This collection is simple yet powerful. The Diaspora Jewelry Collection embodies ancestral spirit and soul. These pieces are like Nubian frescos worn only by strong confident women. These are women who make bold statements about where they are going, who they lead in their communities and most of all on becoming the forerunners of their own lives.

Each piece is made with materials of the earth…glass, stones, woods,metals, ceramics…no plastics. They are also individually hand crafted no mass production and therefore making each piece unique and original. Most importantly each piece comes with not only affordable style, but wisdom. Each piece represents a different facet of powerfully confident women. These pieces are a reminder to us of all the great things that women do in their daily lives such as be leaders at work and home, be confident as they make day to day decisions, offer and exhibit giving, or simply to be beautiful and loving.


The African
This piece is made of soapstone from Zimbabwe nestled side by side with black wooden pieces. The black and white contrast allow it to frame any outfit… This necklace is sensational whether at work with the standard white top black pants or for a nice evening with the “basic black dress. ” ($50.00)

The Glass Ceiling Necklace
Talk about bold. This necklace practically exudes confidence for you. White glass beads are surrounded by silver beads with a large centered silver piece that speaks volumes about a woman in charge. I am pretty sure a woman who wears this piece to the office…will not get mistaken for the “copy girl”… no offense to copy girls. ($40.00)

Convictions Necklace
You have to have lots of conviction to wear a crucifix, I think. Now to wear it with lots of style…that’s bold conviction. I am proud of this piece because it offers a very regal flair to any outfit. The gray glass stones highlighted with flecks of turquoise sparkle against solids like black, grays and whites. ($40.00)
For more information on these preview pieces or others please contact us at kelraya@aol.com

Who is going to make the pasteles?

Let's begin from the beginning... we in our community, in our families are definitely facing an endangered species ... our homecooking abuelitas. My mom the other day travels up to the Bronx to connect with a woman who she has placed an order of pasteles with. The woman is just getting back from Puerto Rico; went to pick up "un Santa Claus" orders of pasteles... for latina women across the new york, new jersey and connecticut. Now what is that all about? Are they a dying breed? Those sweet abuelitas who make the best pasteles in the whole world? And I say they.. because as a second generation neuyorican with no close relatives to speak of in Puerto Rico... I say "they" are a dying breed. Perhaps the sadder thing is that as a second generation (horrible spanish speaking) neuyorican (who could benefit from taking a spanish speaking course) ain't got nothing to replace pasteles for my generation or my children other than mac & cheese and spaghettios. I don't know about you, but my mouth waters for pasteles and I am not sure what I am going to do when the time comes that that nice woman isn't taking orders anymore. Sign up as a follower...more on variety of topics to come.