About


Belinha Fernandes welcomes you to A Portuguese Love blog!

If you can't make it to Portugal, let a piece of Portugal come to you!

Why?

Several years ago, I opened a Zazzle store and named it A PORTUGUESE LOVE with the intention of promoting Portuguese culture, traditions, and national symbols in a straightforward and unassuming manner.  During that period, the "Portugal" brand lacked appeal, and we were quite distant from the era of digital influencers and digital nomads who would later flock to Lisbon. It seemed to me that some countries made their culture travel around the world and that their nationals celebrated their values, and symbols, in a more visible way than the Portuguese. Maybe I could make my contribution to bringing Portugal closer to the world. That's how the adventure began.

- Some of the first products created, are not available anymore -

Despite my efforts to garner support for this project by reaching out to various companies and institutions after completing my design training, I encountered minimal interest. Consequently, I decided to create both the store and this blog. 

The Internet was still a baby. It felt amazing to be able to reach a worldwide audience at the time but people weren't yet fully comfortable buying original artwork online. I and other artists were exploring uncharted digital territories, it was a time of discovery and camaraderie. I often got special requests and one led to the creation of a bunch of Children's products and a new store. Over the years I got tired of the process of creating, uploading, promoting, and getting my designs copied all over. So I stopped uploading new designs and stayed away from the store for long periods. Eventually, always come back to upload a few more...

It has been a journey with ups and downs, but the end result is positive to this day. When someone sends me a message saying that they bought one of my products and that they loved receiving it, I still feel like mission accomplished!

 What is Zazzle Print on Demand?

Zazzle, the print-on-demand powerhouse, was born in 1999 when founders Robert Beaver and his sons sought to revolutionize the custom product industry. Their vision combined technology and creativity, allowing users to design and personalize a vast array of products. In 2003, Zazzle officially launched, offering a unique platform for artists and designers to showcase their work. Over the years, it evolved into a global community, fostering creativity and supporting independent artists. Zazzle's emphasis on product quality, personalization, and a secure shopping experience has made it a trusted online marketplace. Today, it's a thriving hub for creativity and innovation in e-commerce.

What to find on this blog?

- A sample of the products I design and Zazzle sells  available at A PORTUGUESE LOVE STORE
- Products with printed illustrations created by me and inspired by Portuguese culture, traditions, and national symbols
- Products with photos from Portugal. Many years ago I bought a few photos from Fotolia to sell on these products. I also sell some of my own photos.
- Posts on Portuguese Culture, Traditions, and Curiosities (Food, art, music, places...)
- Posts about my everyday life and faits divers!

About legal stuff, copyrights, stores, and products mentioned in this blog

In this blog, I showcase products that I have designed primarily for Zazzle, a print-on-demand company. If someone makes a purchase through this blog, I will receive a portion of the sales as royalties.

In the event that any of my visitors make a purchase from the products of the associates or affiliates featured here, I will receive a referral fee based on a percentage of the purchase value.

All copyrights associated with the designs featured in this blog belong either to me or the associates and affiliates I choose to promote. It is important to note that copying or reproducing these designs, whether for personal use or for profit, is strictly prohibited. I have the necessary permissions to share these designs as I am a member of these print-on-demand platforms or an affiliate program.

If you decide to purchase a product that I have designed, I am responsible for the design and illustration you will receive in the final product. However, it's important to understand that I have no control over the production, printing, or shipping processes. These aspects are the responsibility of the print-on-demand service.

Similarly, if you purchase a product from an associate I am promoting and are dissatisfied with your purchase, please be aware that I cannot be held accountable for your dissatisfaction. I select associate products based on my personal preferences, although I make an effort to highlight and recommend the best options to visitors of this blog.