Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, and I have so many reasons to be thankful! But I will spare you, and will just refer to what is present right now: the website. IT IS DONE!!! IT IS EXQUISITE!!! SO IS THE BROCHURE!!! They both look beautiful and professional, but not "corporate"; they don't look "stiff". How could they, really, when in so many ways it was all done as a work of love.

After I sent an e-mail thanking everyone involved in both projects, this is what Clara wrote back:

Selene, ha sido un PLACER y un HONOR ser parte del proyecto y ayudarte a construir esta imagen that honors what you are meant to be!! Es un testimonio del poder de la intencion, de crear nuevas opciones y del bien que nos hace crear beauty en el mundo. Te felicito por todo esto! Tambien es una prueba de que el teamwork SI FUNCIONA, y de como la gente se complementa, y como trabajar con gente que respetamos y admiramos, it brings out the best of us. Todos nosotros merecemos muchos halagos! Con mucho cariño, Clara

Yes, Spanglish. We often communicate like that. Here is the English version:

Selene, it has been a PLEASURE and an HONOR to be part of the project and help you build this image that honors what you are meant to be!! It is a demonstration of the power of intention, of creating new options, and it is also proof that teamwork DOES WORK, and of how people complement each other, and how when we work with people that we respect and admire, it brings out the best of us. We all deserve many compliments! With much love, Clara

It should be obvious now why Clara was in charge of the texts; she needs few words to say big things.

The quality of the team that came together when I said "I want a brochure, I want a website" was a miracle and a blessing. Suddently this amazing group of people appeared: creative, fun to work with, flexible, able to listen to each other, to respect each other... strong, intelligent, lovely and loving people that took the project and moved it to a much higher level.

Martin* has been helping me for a long time, with marketing concepts, being a fantastic sounding board, making suggestions, teaching me. Then, when we actually started with these projects, he clarified concepts, followed up on details, explained to me what I wanted (yes, what I wanted and didn't know how to say it). He has been the organizer, the team leader, the one who held it all together. He is brilliant and generous, and with his clear mind and his pacience, a great teacher for me in every way. And on top of all that, he takes these incredibly beautiful photographs! There is no way to repay his dedication, his loving support, his willingness to be of service.

And then there is Clara*. She took all my jumbled ideas and transformed them into this elegant, sophisticated image of me and my work. She created the spirit of the brochure and the website, she indicated to all of us the direction that we needed to follow to get to where we wanted to go. She chose the perfect words to express what we wanted. She cooperated in all kinds of ways (and still does), offering opinions, looking for information, always alert, always helpful. I am amazed and grateful for her generosity, her enthusiasm and her joy.

Leda* picked up the image and made it a reality. During the whole process she was a step ahead. She understood exactly what we wanted, and with her impeccable taste she was able to create a brochure and a website that are outstanding in every way. Her dedication, her attention to details, her openness, which allowed an easy dialogue, her creativity and her extraordinary talent... all that and much more resulted in these exquisite works. She did not treat this project as "work" - it was done with love, and it shows.

Diego* did the misterious technical "things" that make the website a pleasure to navigate; he made it easy to use, practical, understandable for everyone. He demonstrated immense knowledge, and great patience and sense of humor at all times, making changes here and there until everything was (is!) perfect. I don't know much about his work, but I sure enjoy the results.

Sandra* was kind enough to do the translation to Spanish. She is the best translator I know; she investigates, goes deeply into the meaning; she doesn't translate words, she translates concepts. It makes all the difference. She is a gentle soul, until it comes to translating...

Brie* appeared in my life at exactly the right instant, took photos of me and, with her expertise, made me look so fabulous I actually think I do not need plastic surgery at this time! She was generous and supportive, made me comfortable and made me laugh. She has amazing talent and a kind heart.

Jennifer* did my makeup with such skill that I ended up looking like myself, only much, much better. But I can still recognize myself! That was so important to me, and Jennifer understood it and made it real in less than 30 minutes. It spoiled me and I would love to have her around every day!

Randy* is one of the most creative persons I have ever known. He can do everything and anything. Among the everything and anything is creating and performing the exquisite music that, in my perception, makes my website so unique and special. Listening to that music melts me inside. Randy gave me the music as a gift; he is, indeed, an amazingly generous man.

(* If you want additional information on any of these extraordinary people, please check under "Credits", on the upper right side of each screen. Leda and Diego are part of Grupo El Barco.)

Many other people have given their support to this project: Carlos Herrera has taught me much about design and has repeated, over and over, that I am talented. Coming from someone as talented as he is, I cannot disregard his words, so I decided to believe them.

My sister, Myriam Soler, has encouraged me non-stop over the years, always believing that I can do it, and convincing me that I can (nobody I know has her level of persistence!). She has also contributed in another very special way: she is a gifted dentist, a specialist in Esthetics, and those beautiful teeth I show in the photos have a lot to do with her. Do not miss her website: www.solerdental.com.

My friends (too many to mention) and my neighbors, (especially Sarah Fitzsimmons) have been generous in their loving support, their suggestions, their belief in me. Sarah is a very gifted artist, and her "eye" has assisted me on many occasions.

Ora Cooper is an extremely talented silversmith, with a great eye for design. Her skills are fabulous, her work impeccable, and I have benefited immensely from both. She is my teacher. Her website is orafinds@hotmail.com.

I started making jewelry while I was taking courses at the University of Santa Monica. What I learned there, the support I received from faculty and students to go for it, to express myself, was invaluable. My spiritual teacher, John-Roger from the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, has been the Light that illuminates my way.

KPCC, 89.3 (Pasadena, CA Public Radio) has provided me with much information and entertainment during many hours of jewelry making (yes, I am a member!).

My four dogs have been my constant companions, with their warm and loving presence: Gorse, Mona, Lady and Lobo. They have liked every piece of jewelry I have ever made; at least they energetically move their tails when I show it to them.

And finally, Bill Schoettler, my wonderful husband who has supported me in every way during this process, who believes in me and celebrates me and my work every single day of my life. I truly can't imagine how I could have done this without him.

I am surrounded by love, I am blessed, and I am very grateful.