Tag Archives: creativity

Magic Tradeshow – February 14 to 15

19 Feb

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@ the Luichiny Shoe Party @ Magic Tradeshow (Feb 15, 2012). Vintage dress w/ headband by Heather Petrey.

@ Magic + TeenVogue Blogger Lounge

Despite the fact that I got a speeding ticket on my way to Vegas to attend Magic Fashion Tradeshow…I got a picture with Betsey Johnson. That already is epic enough. I’m not trying to boast, but one day, people will also line up for 2 hours to take a picture with me.

Some highlights from the show-

+ Desigual- live painting on free t-shirts (hot spanish guys painting your shirt while you’re wearing it)

+ Luichiny- shoe party

+ Teenvogue – blogger lounge, now bloggers are the new press (probably they’re better marketers than pros)

+Brazil Lounge @ Project- I love the Brazil lounge at Project. They highlighted local Brazilian fashion brands and gave information about going to Brazil on a press/buyer tour.

+ VIP lounge- spent 2 hours eating and drinking mochas/cappuccinos there- just because I love to eat good food.

Quote from a friend of a friend- “Wow, she’s a struggling entrepreneur? She looks really glamorous for being a struggling artist”. My reply “entrepreneurs know where to get their resources for free, borrowing clothes from friends, thrift shopping, and reusing/recycling”. Any struggling entrepreneur tips- feel free to comment!

Support your local artist here: http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com

Follow me on: http://www.twitter.com/Rebekka_lien

 

 

 

The Unstruggling Unstarving Artist

9 Feb

I admit, I couldn’t sleep because for 30 minutes this fiery, common thought came to my mind “I’m 24, I’ve worked hard, how come I’m not getting paid what I’m worth?”

2:11AM- my birthday (2.11).

My thoughts suddenly ran wild, sparked by the madness of  the question-”should I get paid minimum wage to work at a boba shop, something I’ve always wanted to do (work at a boba shop- NOT get paid minimum wage)?” This question trickled into the question of “wow, I paid $50 per hour for 10 years to learn the cello and then I paid another $23,000 times 4 to go to fashion design school”. What is my return on investment- I’m not sure…being under-appreciated, underpaid?

I decided to throw off my covers and blog before my thoughts drove me mad. Suddenly my body craves the coffee I didn’t drink during the day.

Let’s do a rundown of how much an artist would spend……

1. Cello lessons- $50 for 10 years. 48 weeks times $50 -$2,400 times 10 years= $24,000

2. fashion design College tuition- $23,000 times 4 years- $92,000

Of course you have to take into account all the gas and supplies. But $116,000 estimated in my case. Thank god I was a good writer, this got my tons of scholarships.

Proverbs 31:31 says-  “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” 

I believe it’s time for artists, women to stop complaining and demand a fair wage, fair pay for their art which they have toiled and spent tremendous amount of money to develop. Thanks to a friend I recently met- he told me “I see a lot of talent in you, you need to capitalize on your strengths, you shouldn’t have to struggle”.

Nothing, nothing is impossible
No one can hold us down
We, Yeah we are unstoppable
Cause nothing is impossible
ohh ohh No nothing is impossible ohh ohh
oh nooo oh noo

If the door doesn’t open
Don’t wait use force to knock it down
Ain’t no time for mopping,
No, the moment is right now

Real talk you can touch the sky
Make no doubt about it noooo
Real talk you can sit pan high
make no doubt about it nooo
Real talk we do it for the youts, another generation
You are strong enough to meet your destiny say

Dreams, I Know About Dreams

27 Jan

 

Dreams.

Yah, I know about dreams. I dream about my dreams. I wake up with a story in my head, about my dreams.

I am a dreamer, I am a doer, I listen to my spirit and when the season says to wait, I wait. This is with extreme hardship of NOT getting off my ass and doing, cuz I’m a doer. Oh, I know about dreams. I know what it feels like to bleed for my dreams.

I know the discouragement and depression of jumping out the box, the norm of sanity.

Oh, I know about dreams. I know about insanity. I know how it feels like when people look at me with the expression of “she’s insane, why she be doing that?”, the feeling of being questioned, interrogated, misunderstood. Babe, don’t tell me I don’t know about dreams.

I know how it feels to bleed for my dreams. I know how it feels to work out of little resources, to feel the humiliation of not being able to afford food. To say “hold up”, I can’t meet up cuz I don’t have a penny to spare. Don’t tell me I don’t know about dreams.

I bleed for my dreams because I believe in it, I believe in myself and the potential my dreams have. I gave birth to them, everyday I am giving birth to new ideas and I aint letting them fade. I grab onto my ideas with my whole being, I may despair and lord knows (my friends) know my daily ups and downs, crying one minute, laughing another (the joy of being human- emotions).

I know about dreams, the world is so big inside my heart, it’s bursting forth, unable to contain itself. It’s creating worlds around me, atmospheres and people are influenced by them.

The seasons are changing and dreams are birthing, it was not an easy child birth- trust me.

I bled for them.

The best dreams are bled for, not handed to you. 

Thank you to all those that have supported me during this birthing stage. You will be blessed 10 fold, I promise- the child is a world changer.

Do you have any dreams that you are willing to sacrifice and bleed for? If so, what and what is stopping you? Remove all obstacles (fear).

Why You Should Become Friends With Strangers

11 Jan

Yes, the saying goes “don’t talk to strangers”, but you’ll probably never make friends in LA.

Lately I’ve been thinking, wow, I’m kind of bored. I mean I have great friends, but many of them have moved, and well, I don’t feel intellectually stimulated. Life is getting too mundane or something. I’m working on my business, freelancing, but there’s nothing too out of the norm (in my opinion of course, because most people would say my life is not mundane, it’s too eccentric). Because I’m literally broke due to investing in my business, and can’t really go out all that much…I’ve been inspired to “think outside the box”.

Ways in Which I have made friends:

1. Tumblr.com- yes, I have met someone in Australia and became friends with through tumblr.

2. Yelp.com- I’ve shout out for clubs in Boston and made a friend who was a promoter, and got to get VIP status when I got there. Had the most fun at a gay club.

3. Modelmayhem- collaborating on shoots, became friends.

4. On the street- yes, I talk to strangers on the street

5. Clubs- I like to dance with strangers as well, especially if they’re good dancers. I have met really cool and interesting people at clubs (not creepers).

6. On airplanes, buses, public transportation- when I sit next to anyone, they become my friend

7. Cafes and Starbucks- wear something interesting and people will compliment on it- or vice versa, compliment other people and you might just become friends. However, I find that some people are so antisocial, they’ll say “thanks” and end the convo by walking away.

 ”You totally just missed your chance to be friends with someone SO unique and SO cool, too bad for you”- I think.

8. Hostels- great place to meet travelers, however, since I live in LA, no more of that :( BUT not to worry, me be planning another trip very soon!

9. Parties- this I find tricky because at parties, I feel like I can never sit down to talk in depth- and in LA for some reason, people never follow up.

10. COPY shops- yes, copy shop not coffee shop. Best ever.

11. At the bank- yes became friends with the banker :)

12. Email- find someones’ blog appealing? Email them and say “I want to be friends cuz you’re so awesome”.

The key is – the other person has to have the desire to be your friend.

Friendship is a two way street. You can never force friendship. This leads to my inspired 2012 MEETING WEIRD AND AWESOME PEOPLE year. I need to meet more interesting, weird, nonconventional people. So the answer to “why you should become friends with strangers”- what is life about? That’s the answer.

Feel free to email me and connect- rebekkalien@gmail.com I’m always up to meet people.

A Year of Romance & Zest – Asian Gypsy Is Going to Impossible Things This YEAR!

7 Jan

Photo shoot with Jessy Dodd

The other day I went on a crazy photo shoot day- I drove out to Costa Mesa, thank GOD NO TRAFFIC! Zoomed there in 40 minutes, got my makeup done- thanks to Roxanne Galan (amazing makeup artist and of course, will be my future makeup artist. People get on my good side now cuz I’ll be BIG someday, not just big in Japan, big everywhere). Had an hour photo shoot, then drove back to Silverlake to grab my cello, then met up with Jessy for another photo shoot at a cool looking church, then drove up the mountains to shoot there.

Probably the most tiring day of my week, but also invigorating.

Then I had this BIG awakening the other day. I’m almost 24, that was the year that I thought I should travel the world. It’s the perfect year of crossroads, freedom and identity. I finally have nothing, no obligations, no big responsibilities, no “family” (though my friends and fam will always be there)…so I had several ideas!

1. Travel the world as an Asian Gypsy- bring my jewelry to sell (see how far I can go…)

2. Bring no money, like, maybe 100 bucks, and see what happens.

3. Teach at camps

4. LATIN AMERICA!

5. Go to Taiwan to finish the ending of my book (this will be a surprise)

6. DJ! Finally, hopefully. It’ll be great to tour………

The last months I learned to let go of identity based on my work, income, and to do list. I learned to live in the moment, be, and love people for who they are. I am learning to appreciate the good of people, and not focus on what they’re not doing right.

Shop- http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com/

Follow Me- https://twitter.com/Rebekka_Lien

FACEBOOK PAGE-http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebekka-Lien/206081989431609

“Tonight we are launching an effort which holds the promise of changing the course of human history”- Ronald Reagan

“If you believe you can, you probably can. If you believe you won’t, you most assuredly won’t. Belief is the ignition switch that gets you off the launching pad”- Denis Waitley

 

The Life of An Atypical Third Cultured Taiwanese Woman- “Freedom Begins in Your Soul, Not in Your Circumstances”

4 Jan

It’s been almost 3 months since I’ve come back from Australia.

A lot has changed, pre – Australia and post- Australia.

I knew that every time I got on the airplane for a trip overseas, seasons of my life would change, pages in my book will flip. None of the changes in my life are subtle, they are drastic, refreshing, sometimes slow…yet, still always huge and intense.

  1. I’ve been 3 months into my jewelry business
  2. I’ve met tons of people randomly, at the copy shop, on the streets, in cafes, online, you name it…
  3. I worked for a gifts company freelance, at times working 9 hours straight and meeting lots of people through it
  4. I’ve danced a lot coming back
  5. I’ve sort of settled into stable relationships and learned to nestle instead of bounce around
  6. I’ve been living month to month for the last 3 months, at times suffering, yet most times, gaining wisdom from my circumstances.
  7. I’ve found PEACE in “being”, instead of finding identity from “doing”. Out of “being” I have been able to rest even when I don’t know what’s coming next, even when all I have is this feeling that “something big is coming”, an opportunity ive been waiting for…this is contrary to what our society tells us…”waiting is bad”- says modern aged Americans. Waiting can be daunting if our identity is in “what we do”- but once we realize we are worth “THE REST”, we will live an overflowing life. It really hasn’t been that long since my freelance “free life” has begun, I’ve subbed taught violin, taught sewing lessons, baby sat, sold clothes on ebay, sold jewelry, sold clothes at consignment shops, hunted for coins (found 20 plus dollars in coins!), gotten lots of miracle money, brought “my trunk store” to parties and gatherings, and met tons of people that are vying for the life I now live.

Even though I have a few cents in my bank account, no health insurance, and no savings. Am I scared? No. I’ve never been happier! I’m going to prove to people that the American Dream isn’t what gives you happiness and that freedom can’t be bought, freedom begins in your soul, not in your circumstances!

At a goth club, I don’t fit in.

Now we fit in.

Follow my adventurous life- you won’t be disappointed. https://twitter.com/Rebekka_Lien

To continue reading my blog and see me succeed in life- shop ze store- http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com/

Adios! Rebekka

Happy Holidays Everyone! Starting My Year With Post-It Notes

24 Dec

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY CHRISTMAS SOON!

The past few months have been, change, change, change, inconsistency, life and more life.

Without change, there can’t be happiness. 

Change is not only a part of life, part of love, but part of what it takes for a person to be happy. Don’t like change? Well, you’re really screwed. No wonder you’re not happy, no offense.

There were moments I reached mid life crisis and found myself staring at life in the face, asking what I was doing with my life. People think that post- grad confusion ends immediately after you get a job, well, it never ends, even when you are stuck in a job. Life begins after graduation my friends. True warriors face change with vigor, zest, confusion, failures and lots of mid life depression. One needs lots of supportive friends, or even just 1, 2 or 3 close friends will do.

The above is an example of how I am making changes everyday.

Everyday before I go to bed, I have a new RITUAL of writing a prayer, a desire for my life, a goal, a quote, a person, etc. I write this on a post it and stick it right above my bed. I am going to write dates on each post it and I’m sure, 100% sure that all of these goals, prayers, blessings, quotes will come true. What you think, you are. What you hope, you will be. Everything in the universe will conspire to achieve your goals. Positivity will bring positive things into your life.

Did great heroes or great inventors, great artists have thoughts of negativity? Yes. But did they dwell on it? No. Some positive thought pushed them to keep running, keep inventing, keep creating…even when all odds are against them.

You should do it too…I think it’ll benefit you.

Examples of what I wrote:

1. To be big hearted, forgiving, giving, and not easily offended- to embrace all, love all, and to give when it feels uncomfortable. I was driving with my friend the other day, in traffic – this homeless guy was asking for money. I got out of my car and gave him my bag of fruits and my cereal. You should have seen the look on his face, it was pure ecstasy. Doing something good when it feels uncomfortable or when people stare. Who cares about what others think.

2. To self- encourage and love others instead of self- pitying- I have the tendency to self- pity, “oh my god, seriously I can’t believe this person didn’t think about doing this for me…blah”….but this is a selfish love, when not verbalized.

Anyways- hope you have a grand holiday and blessed year! http://rebekkalien.storenvy.com

Munch, Munch, Stare, Stare, One of Those Days

18 Dec

The man wore a knit sweater, his two kids bugging him for some tacos.
Another lady, with pulled back pitch black hair, staring into space, eating a bowl of rice and a chicken salad. Another man with a blinged out snoop doggy jacket walked with his tray. Days like these, I can hear their thoughts. Munch, munch, stare, stare- what is my life worth and what is the meaning of life?
Munch, munch, stare, stare- wow, I’m bored, I’m zoned out, or what the hell am I doing with my life.

I can hear their thoughts loud and clear in my own mind.

Sometimes it’s just way too easy to give up. Especially when you’re thinking about getting food stamps and your business is growing exponentially slow. You have great relationships, but you still feel like you’re floating.

Munch, munch, stare, stare.

Such is the rhythm of life sometimes.

Of course, after some positive energy being exchanged by my ninja friend, I am starting to munch, munch, look look. I’m going to start putting positive quotes on my graffiti wall and write daily goals on it as well. I’m looking forward to this. :) You should do it too!

Yesterday I slept for 11 hours, best time of my life.

coffee hop

12 Dec

Sitting here, watching the cars driving fast
Lights bright and blaring
Humming busy
Exhaustion, trying to read but unable to quiet my distraction filled mind
Maybe I’m just supposed to sit here and do nothing for once

Gearing Up For 2 SHOWS- The Life of An Entrepreneur

9 Dec

Yes, some people find these dolls a bit creepy- but I’m totally obsessed with them. I hope that my customers will be obsessed as well. I even bought black ones. You know, dolls shouldn’t be racist.

Anyways, this week has been so filled with entrepreneurial endeavors. I’ve probably worked 80 hours without even knowing it. I think about my work right when I wake up and when I go to sleep. It’s not really work to me actually, it’s fun- it’s ideas and creativity. I was making some necklaces with cool baby bottles and suddenly yelled “I love what I do!” Though I can’t really see right now, because I can’t find my glasses (must be hidden under clothes or my jewelry) and my room looks like a tornado swept through….it’s been a most rewarding week.

I tell people- yah, being an entrepreneur is definitely risky. You don’t know if your work will really pay off, maybe at first you get a few sales, but the tremendous amount of work and energy, money you invest into it—isn’t exactly safe. You can’t say for sure that it’ll be successful, you can’t see clearly. But I believe in myself so much, that I know I’ll be okay, I’ll flourish. I walked for 2 hours today looking for supplies, it was good exercise. This week I got to spend time with my loved ones, and it was relaxing and satisfying…these are things you can do when you are self-employed (at the times of the day you want).

SAVE THE DATE!

I’ll be selling Jewelry, clothes, bags, kewpie dolls, costume sketch prints by me, shoes, etc.

Silverlake Arts Crafts Vintage Fair- December 10 Saturday!

*Location: Micheltorena St. Elementary- 1511 Micheltorena St. (off Sunset Blvd) LA 90026

*When: December 10, Saturday @ 10am-4pm

*Admission is FREE!

http://www.silverlakeartcraftvintage.com/

SHOP LOT LA – December 17 & 18 

*Location: Parking Lot @ Sunset Blvd and Hyperion Intersection

*When: December 17 & 18, Saturday @ 10am-4pm

*Admission is FREE!

http://theshoplotla.com/

Do me a favor? 

Like my PAGE on Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebekka-Lien/206081989431609

Follow me on Twitter- https://twitter.com/Rebekka_Lien

And comment below telling me what your most difficult struggle is in being an entrepreneur?

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