anapina | blog

work in progress

2012-02-23T09:49:00.002Z

A minha mesa de trabalho está assim... cheia de coisas novas em progresso! E mesmo assim, continuo com a cabeça cheia de ideias... e quanto mais tempo tenho, menos tempo pareço ter para as por em prática! Alguém me explica este fenómeno?...

E enquanto as novidades não chegam, não se esqueçam que têm só mais uma semana para aproveitar os portes gratuitos na loja!

My working space is like this... full of new work in progress! And yet, I still have my head full of ideas... and the more time I have, the less I seem to have to put them into practice! Can someone explain this phenomenon to me?...

And while the new creations don't arrive don't forget that there's only one week left to enjoy free worldwide shipping when ordering at the shop!

{the interview series} Aurea Praga

2012-02-22T10:14:00.010Z

Aurea Praga não precisa de apresentações. Se não a conhecerem imediatamente pelo nome, irão certamente reconhecer as orelhinhas de animais que andam a povoar os dedos de muita gente que aprecia uma peça de joalharia original.

Começou por dedicar-se ao design de comunicação, mas foi na joalharia contemporânea que encontrou a sua verdadeira vocação - desde que começou que se têm sucedido prémios e críticas positivas, por isso pode ter a certeza de que está no bom caminho! Confirmem-no e fiquem a saber um pouco mais sobre Aurea e o seu surpreendente trabalho através desta entrevista.

[Este post pertence à rubrica semanal {the interview series}, onde publico uma nova entrevista todas as quartas-feiras, com artistas e bloggers inspiradores que admiro, de acordo com o espírito handmade e um estilo de vida criativo. Tornem-se fãs no facebook e não percam nada!
Por motivos óbvios de extensão e compreensão do texto, tanto pelos entrevistados como pelos potenciais leitores do resto do mundo, a entrevista segue em inglês.]

Aurea Praga needs no introduction. If you don't immediately know her by name, you will surely recognize the little animal ears that are accupying the fingers of many people who appreciate a truly original piece of jewelery.
She began to dedicate herself to graphic design, but it was in contemporary jewelery that she found her true calling - she's been successful since she began, receiving awards and positive reviews, so she can be sure that this is the right track! Get to know more about Aurea and her amazing work through this interview.

[This post belongs to the weekly feature {the interview series} where I publish a new interview every wednesday with inspiring artists and bloggers I admire, according to the spirit of handmade and a creative lifestyle. Become a facebook fan and don't miss a bit!]

Aurea Praga
Porto, Portugal
shop | facebook | PIN

1. Let’s pretend we don’t know each other and I’ve never heard about Aurea Praga. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Aurea, after my grandmother, and I was born in Madeira Island although I’ve lived in Porto for the last twenty years, where I teach drawing classes and develop my work in the jewellery field.

2. You’re a young Portuguese jeweler, but you started with graphic design. How was this creative passion born and what was the journey that brought you here?
Yes, I have a background on communication design and jewellery came my way much later. I guess they both indulge in my need to communicate, but in jewellery I found a true passion. I started making jewellery as a hobby, a gift for myself, but soon I realized it would become my main activity. So, since then, I’ve been investing much of my time and effort learning more and trying to make my work a little better every day.

3. You create affirmative jewelry pieces mostly inspired by the animal world. How are they born? Would you share your creative process with us?
One of the most useful tools in my creative process is drawing. I use it to visualize new pieces and solve a variety of design problems, but I also use some of my illustrations as a source of ideas for my jewellery work. That’s how the “I’m All Ears” series of rings was born, from the “Girls Are Weird” series of drawings. The animal world has very interesting textures and shapes you can explore, but my work is mostly about characters and how you can relate to them.

4. I’m now having jewelry classes too and I’m loving it! I admit that now I admire even more the work behind a jewelry piece and its time consuming process… Would you share with us some of the techniques you use?
My favorite technique is lost wax. It gives you a limitless freedom of form and you can use it in many different ways. It’s a great way to transfer textures to silver, really easy to sculpt, and you can build and destroy a piece as many times as you like without material loss. But you’re right on the time consuming thing. Sometimes I spend dozens of hours working on a single piece and make a lot of failed experiments until it’s acceptable.

5. Talking about the materials and its special characteristics: you use mainly silver, but you combine it with different finishes. Tell us about your choices.
Yes, most of my pieces are solid sterling silver, it’s a very friendly material to use in the body. Also, when your piece has a message to communicate, the material is just another word in the sentence of a jewel. An oxidized silver piece has a totally different impact from a shiny polished one. I normally have polished, oxidized and gold plated (I’d use solid gold if it wasn’t so expensive) versions of my rings, and the finishing look gives the same piece a slightly different personality.

6. I’m a big passionate by rings and I find your collection “I’m all ears” totally irresistible! Can I ask you what’s your favorite piece and what’s been your best seller until now?
My favorite piece is the one I’m making now. It’s not finished yet and it already made me want to cry as a lost child but also made me smile like a fool. My best seller this Christmas was the Kitten Ring by far.

7. You’ve been featured in some great blogs and publications and you received some promising prizes. What means do you use to promote your work?
When I decided to show and sell my work online, I’ve started a blog, a facebook page, a twitter account and my Etsy shop. And though lately I don’t have the time to keep them updated, they’re out there and people can find my work through them. Competitions are also a great way to promote your work. Even when you know your work is well done, it’s always rewarding to have a jury agreeing with you. And it makes people look more attentively at what you have done.

8. What is creating for you: a profession, a passion, a necessity, a life style or a hobby? What else are you passionate about doing?
All of the above and also a learning process, the more you develop your ability to create, the more it becomes natural. I’m also passionate about knowing other people’s creative work. Sometimes I think my creative work is only an attempt to give something back to a world where I find so many beautiful things that make my heart pound faster.

9. Would you share with us a regular day at work?
Well, I kind of lead a double life… I divide my week in the days I am a teacher (all day) and the days I am a jeweler (also all day). When I do one thing I forget completely about the other and focus on what I’m doing. It’s always such a refreshing feeling when I finish my last class of the week on Wednesday and become the jeweler again, hehe. Otherwise I don’t have a regular day when I work in jewellery. Sometimes I start early in the morning, other times I stay up until very late hours. It depends on how well the work is going or if I’m already so tired that I’m ruining everything.

10. Would you give us a glimpse of your working space? Describe it and tell us what you love most about it.
I love to have all I need in one space. I have my jewellery bench with all necessary tools in one side of my working space and a desktop for drawing with my computer, scanner and printer on the other side. In front of my desktop I have a big oval mirror which is very useful when I need to see a certain face expression or pose, and it’s also where I stick some pictures that caught my eye and I want to keep in memory for a while. I also like to have this big window that occupies all the length of the wall behind me when I’m working. The sun shines through it in the morning making everything look so promising.

11. You were born in Madeira, but now you live in Porto just like me – share with us what you love most about this city. Would you like to live anywhere else one day?
I think Porto is just the right size for me. Not that big of a city to lose its charm, just big enough. But the thing I love the most is the people’s will to help. If you see someone fall on the street there’s always a bunch of people reaching out to help. I don’t see this anywhere else, there are places where people just pretend not to see it and pass by. Not here.
I don’t know if I’ll live anywhere else, for now I don’t have a reason to move.

12. If you could live in any historical era of your choice, what would it be? Why?
I would choose to live right now again, I feel these are interesting times.

13. We are both Portuguese, so I don’t resist asking: what are the main problems you face being an artist in our country, Portugal?
In Portugal there are still some obstacles to individual jewelers. It’s not that easy to have a hallmark that allows you to sell your work locally. But the internet came as an escape to this unfortunate flaw. I don’t think about it so much, my real problems are the creative ones. All the rest is secondary.

14. What advices would you give to someone who would also like to become a jeweler?
Get a job to make sure you survive, marry a wealthy spouse, rob a bank, whatever prevents you from ever compromising the work you really love in order to make money.

15. What are your plans for the future? And your most unrealistic dreams?
Well, my latest plan was to finish my master on jewellery design. As it’s almost finished, I think I’ll just wait to see what happens next. I know I’ll keep making jewellery projects as an individual jeweller and I’ll always keep trying to learn and make my work better. My most unrealistic dream is taking a vacation soon.

Now a quick question and answer game so we can find a bit more about you and your tastes!
Tell us one:

book: To A God Unknown, John Steinbeck
music: The Carnival of the Animals, Camille Saint-Saëns
movie: Fight Club, David Fincher
personality/artist: Ted Noten
color: all of them
object: ring
animal: furry things
drink: chocolate milk
food: ice cream
season of the year: Summer!!
travel destination: Australia
piece of clothing: high heels
secret: I’m short-sighted

Thank you for sharing your wonderful work with us Aurea!

Bom Carnaval!

2012-02-20T15:14:00.003Z

Por aqui, crises e ausências de tolerância de ponto à parte, prevejo um Carnaval bastante calmo.
Quando era pequena gostava de fantasiar-me, como, suponho, quase todas as crianças - era um pretexto para pintar-me, imaginar-me outra personagem, inventar novas brincadeiras, tirar fotografias para a posteridade... depois o Carnaval passou a ser só mais um pretexto para celebrar - para passar uma noite diferente entre amigos.
Nos últimos anos, mesmo que saia de casa, a vontade de fantasiar-me é cada vez menor... perdeu-se o sentido de tal ritual, talvez. Olho em volta e são cada vez mais as pessoas que parecem sentir o mesmo, por isso acabo por achar esta uma noite não muito diferente de outras, em que a multidão acaba por me fazer ter menos vontade de sair... claro que falo do Carnaval muito pacato e pouco característico aqui no Porto... Se estivesse a sonhar em Veneza, a bailar na Madeira ou a sambar no Rio, a conversa seria certamente outra!

Divirtam-se e tenham um bom Carnaval!

(Em cima: alguns elementos naturais no meu atelier, ansiosos para me inspirar em próximas criações...)

Around here I predict a very calm Carnival.
When I was little I liked to dress up my fantasy as, I suppose, almost all children - it was a pretext to put some make up on, to imagine myself as another character, to play with my friends, to take pictures for posterity... as I got older Carnival has become just another excuse to celebrate - to spend a funny night out with friends.
In recent years, even if I go out, the desire to dress up as faded... the meaning of such a ritual got lost, I guess. I look around and it seems that there are more and more people that feel the same, so I end up finding this night not so different from others, but the crowd is just making me have less desire to go out and have fun... I speak of course, about the very quiet and uncharacteristic Carnival here in Porto... If I was dreaming in Venice or dancing samba in Brazil, my speach would certainly be different!

Have fun and enjoy Carnival!

(Above: some natural elements eager to inspire me in future creations upon my atelier...)

{friday I'm in love}

2012-02-17T10:57:00.005Z

[click for more]

E como hoje é sexta-feira... deixo-vos com alguns links para se entreterem durante o fim-de-semana!

+ para os amantes da ilustração: o fantástico trabalho de Sara Singh e a avalanche de inspiração diária dos doodlers anonymous.
+ para os que gostam de se surpreender: a escultura com lápis de Jennifer Maestre.
+ para os que sabem apreciar uma boa combinação entre simplicidade e beleza: a cerâmica do atelier halo.
+ para os que não resistem a um belo par de sapatos com carteira a condizer: a marca swedish hasbeens.
+ e por fim, para os que gostam de explorar os tutoriais e printables gratuitos, dois links que descobri pelo pinterest e me pareceram bem úteis: no-sew pencil roll (que adaptei para um estojo para guardar as minhas limas de joalharia!) e 101 pretty printables.

Bom fim-de-semana!

And since today is friday... I leave you with a few links for you to explore over the weekend!

+ for the illustration lovers: the great work by Sara Singh and the daily boom of inspiration by doodlers anonymous.
+ for the ones who like surprises: the pencil sculptures by Jennifer Maestre.
+ for the ones who admire a good combination of beauty and simplicity: the ceramics by atelier halo.
+ for the ones who can't resist a nice match between gorgeous shoes and bags: swedish hasbeens.
+ and for last, for the ones who like to explore tutorials and free printables, two links that I found through pinterest and that seemed quite usefull: no-sew pencil roll and 101 pretty printables.

Happy weekend!

still life

2012-02-16T09:39:00.001Z

[click to know more!]

Para os amantes de naturezas mortas, aqui ficam alguns dos meus últimos trabalhos.
Não se esqueçam que até final de Fevereiro podem comprar na loja online com direito a portes gratuitos... aproveitem!

E já agora, não deixem de espreitar o simpático artigo que foi publicado sobre o meu trabalho no site Cliente & Designer! Para ler aqui.

For the still life lovers, here are some of my latest works.
Don't forget that until the end of February you can buy at the online shop entitled to free worldwide shipping... enjoy!

Midnight in Paris | Woody Allen

2012-02-14T15:28:00.006Z

[credits: Midnight in Paris]

E como Paris é a cidade do amor, talvez não seja um dia mal escolhido para falar de Midnight in Paris, a última incursão pela Europa de Woody Allen.

Confesso que os filmes de Woody não foram para mim amor à primeira vista... não foram também paixão desenfreada que desvaneceu com o tempo... foi mais, provavelmente, uma curiosidade inicial marcada pela dúvida, que cresceu para uma relação amorosa algo inconstante mas segura, cheia de reviravoltas surpreendentes e algumas discussões previsíveis, mas inofensivas. Ri-me em alguns filmes, gostei muito de uns, ignorei outros e a outros ainda fiquei indiferente... mas foi com carinho crescente que aprendi a gostar da personagem algo melodramática que Woddy sempre (re)interpreta - embora ache que é quando ele não aparece, mas alguém do guião parece personificá-lo, que os filmes se tornam mais interessantes, sem nunca deixarem de ser pessoais.

A Europa sempre gostou mais de Woody Allen e este parece ter-se definitivamente rendido aos seus encantos. Adorei Match Point e Vicky Cristina Barcelona, por exemplo... mas há muitos, muitos clássicos ainda por ver.
Para alguém que é apaixonado por Paris, como eu própria, este último Midnight in Paris, vai parecer uma bela história de amor... de um artista pela cidade dos artistas. Impossível vê-lo e não sonhar com um regresso a uma das cidades mais belas do mundo.
A mensagem é clara e dá que pensar: o presente deixa-nos insatisfeitos, porque o ser humano é insatisfeito por natureza... qualquer regresso a um passado dourado e perfeito não é mais do que pura ilusão. Temos, sim, que aproveitar o presente e o que a vida nos oferece hoje - mas confesso que não me importaria de regressar atrás no tempo de vez em quando para conhecer algumas das personagens históricas que mais me fascinam! E mais não digo: vejam, vale a pena.

And as Paris is the city of love, this is certainly the right day to speak of Midnight in Paris, the last European incursion of Woody Allen.

I confess that Woody's films weren't exactly love at first sight for me... they weren't also an intense passion that faded with time... they were more probably an initial curiosity marked by doubt, which has grown into a lasting love relationship, secure even somehow inconstant, full of surprising twists and with some predictable but harmless discussions in the middle. I laughed in some movies, I really loved some, ignored others, and still others made me indifferent... but my fondness by the somewhat melodramatic character that Woody always (re)interprets began to grow with time - even though I think that's when he doesn't appear but somebody in the script seems to personify him, that the films become more interesting, never stopping being personal.

Europe always liked Woody Allen and he seems to have succumbed to its charms. I loved Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, for example... but there are many, many classics still to watch.
For someone who is in love with Paris, like myself, the last Midnight in Paris will look like a beautiful love story... of an artist and the city of artists. It's impossible to watch it and don't dream of a return to one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The message is clear and give us much to think about: the present leaves us unsatisfied, because human beings are unsatisfied by nature... any return to a golden perfect past era is not more than an illusion. Rather, we must take advantage of the present time and what life offers us today - even though I wouldn't mind returning back in time from time to time to meet some of the historical characters that fascinate me the most! And I won't say more: watch the movie, it's worth it.

looks like candy!

2012-02-09T11:19:00.003Z

[click the images to visit the product's page]

looks like candy é o sugestivo nome de uma série de novas peças que combinam a delicadeza do fio de aço com a elegância das pedras preciosas... são colares e brincos que formam conjuntos, mas podem também ser comprados em separado.
Se gostam do que veem, aproveitem a promoção de inauguração da nova loja online e comprem com direito a portes gratuitos até final de Fevereiro!

looks like candy is the suggestive name of a series of new pieces that combine the delicacy of beading wire and the elegance of gemstones... they are necklaces and earrings that make a set, but can either be bought together or separately.
If you like what you see, take advantage of the new shop online grand opening promotion and buy with free worldwide shipping until the end of February!

{the interview series} Katarina K Photography

2012-02-08T10:02:00.006Z

Hoje trago-vos um mundo de sonho... Katarina Krizanovicova pode ter um nome difícil de pronunciar, mas o seu trabalho fotográfico é capaz de emocionar qualquer um. Adoro a atmosfera calma e pacífica, a suavidade poderosa dos retratos, o styling cuidado dos instantâneos de uma inspiradora vida diária... leiam para saber mais e admirem o trabalho de Katarina!

[Este post pertence à rubrica semanal {the interview series}, onde publico uma nova entrevista todas as quartas-feiras, com artistas e bloggers inspiradores que admiro, de acordo com o espírito handmade e um estilo de vida criativo. Tornem-se fãs no facebook e não percam nada!
Por motivos óbvios de extensão e compreensão do texto, tanto pelos entrevistados como pelos potenciais leitores do resto do mundo, a entrevista segue em inglês.]

Today I bring you a world of dream... Katarina Krizanovicova may have a difficult name to pronounce, but her photographic work is able to touch anyone who sees it. I love the calm and peaceful atmosphere, the powerful softness of portraits, the attention payed to the styling of inspiring everyday shots... read to know more and admire the work of Katarina!

[This post belongs to the weekly feature {the interview series} where I publish a new interview every wednesday with inspiring artists and bloggers I admire, according to the spirit of handmade and a creative lifestyle. Become a facebook fan and don't miss a bit!]

Katarina Krizanovicova | Katarina K Photography, Grain & Silk
Bratislava, Slovakia
site | blog | shop | facebook

1. Let’s pretend we don’t know each other and I’ve never heard about Katarina Krizanovicova. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm a self-taught freelance portrait photographer from Slovakia. Living in Bratislava in a small place with uncontrollable amount of books and negatives and a crazy little dog Gina. Sister, daughter & proud aunt. Sentimental romantic with punk rocker's heart.

2. You’re a young freelance photographer specialized in portraits. How and when was this creative passion born?
Definitely when my niece Emma was born, almost 12 years ago. It's fascinating to watch a person growing and documenting it. Photography became my side-job about 3 years ago, and at this time I'm making a living from running my own business.

3. Your photographs are dreamy and peaceful… I love their atmosphere! What inspires you to create those compositions? Share your creative process with us.
Maybe because I'm a calm person in general; big crowds make me nervous, so I look for the peaceful and quiet in the world, to compensate for the noisy life in the city.
It also helps to focus on my work better, and people I photograph feel more relaxed in calm surroundings. With clients, I often come to shoot in their own home, or outside in the nature. Personal projects, well those a little more messy because work always comes first :) I keep my ideas in journals, always waiting for the right person or place to photograph, to help me bring them to reality.
I also regularly have to step away from what I'm doing and distract my mind with other things and interests for a little while, to refresh and restart.

4. You love to photograph people, but you also explore nature and everyday life details. What comes first: the subject, the message, the model, the place? How do you pick the places and themes to photograph?
It's more like I come across these things/places, rather than picking them in advance.
But if there is a place I know where the light's beautiful and I find myself constantly attracted to it, then I create a still life there, or plan a portrait session.

5. What influences you the most to create? Share with us some artists that you admire.
Stories of any kind, always. From my own life or lives of others, art, places I visit, movies and books. I love the drawings of Egon Schiele, his fascination with human face and body. The quietness and subtle light in Vilhelm Hammershøi's paintings, and the works of dutch masters. The beautiful evocative poetry of Mary Oliver. Alexander McQueen's creations. I love fashion and design, studying their history is always inspiring.

6. I believe it must be very difficult to capture the personality of a person in portrait photography, but you accomplish it in such a personal way! Would you share with us the biggest challenges you face?
Thank you. It really is a challenge I face every time. It's very important to make them feel at ease and relaxed and happy in the location. That's why I like to shoot in people's own places, where they seem to be more themselves.
I always start a discussion about things they love and are passionate about and that's where they just relax and shine. We often become good friends, which is another thing I love about my job.

7. Tell us now about your love for film and its challenges. What are the main differences between film and digital photography?
There's something timeless about film. It's had the same qualities for ages, no better and more expensive version every few months. It's like an old friend whom you've known and trusted for so long. I like the grain, the density, the perfect colours, the tangibility – holding the negatives in your hand, no delete button, the element of surprise. I do realise all the advantages of digital photography of course, and I often use it for work, especially with assignments where I have to be super quick (like dance photography, for example), and take a lot more photos than I would normally do.

8. Would you share some useful tips with us, non-professional photographers, who would like to learn a bit more and make the most of our cameras while traveling or working?
Learn to use the manual mode. Play with aperture and shutter speeds, increase ISO sensitivity instead of using flash. Try different angles. Pay attention to composition, look for nice light and interesting moments. Focus on the storytelling aspect rather than simple snapping. You can for example think about a little book you create afterwards, and take it as a little concept.

9. You say that you love traveling – when you travel your photos become more personal or you can’t let go that professional attitude while behind the camera? Tell us about some places you loved most visiting.
I always take pictures of things I know I will miss most when I come home, sceneries and situations that leave me speechless. I love the South and the sea, my friends there and their way of living, the breeze and sunshine; but a piece of my heart will be always drawn to the Northwest, to the ever-green English fields, cloudy skies, woods and lakes, the slate walls and narrow streets of little towns in Yorkshire.

10. Would you give us a glimpse of your working space? Describe it and tell us what you love most about it.
Like I said, it's a small place, I work from home. It's just one room plus kitchen and bathroom, but a nice large balcony where I practically live in the summer.
I work at my desk in the quiet, often with my feet in Gina's basket, but when there's a bigger project or a session going on, it turns into a post-apocalyptic scene that usually takes a day or two to put back into normal state. I also love my inspiration board that changes along with the seasons.

11. Besides photographing, what do you love most doing in your everyday life?
I like my me-space, the fact that I have to go outside several times a day because Gina has needs too – otherwise I would lose control of time and probably spend the whole day working or just faffing about. Chats with friends and family, time out, reading, watching films... the usual stuff :)

12. You live in Bratislava, the beautiful capital of Slovakia – tell us about your favorite places in the city! Would you like to live anywhere else one day?
The city is not too big – the old town is very small, but it also feels more cosy that way, if I go out I always meet someone I know. I prefer the less crowded spaces though, so I usually end up in a small cafe (like this French bistro I discovered recently and I'm in love with it), or in one of my friends' places.
I like the older parts of the city, the historical buildings and small squares.
But I get away as often I can...to the nearby lakes and woods, or little villages.
I've started driving recently and it feels great to have the freedom to take my dog and camera and to go wherever I want, when I have the time.

13. If you could live in any historical era of your choice, what would it be? Why?
Probably 20's, 30's somewhere in Paris or Prague, enjoying life & photographing everything – but I'd like to have the chance to go back to my time whenever I want, please :)

14. What advices would you give to someone who would also like to become a photographers.
If you are truly passionate about it, then it's a great thing. But be prepared to learn a lot about marketing and the accounting aspect of the whole thing – it's a huge part of this job. Find the thing you're best at and work on that, don't try to be a bit of everything or even worse - someone else, it's good to have that unique “something” only you can offer, and everyone has that, just spend a lot of time shooting and experimenting and you will find what it is very soon.

15. What are your plans for the future? And your most unrealistic dreams?
I'd like to do a bit more travelling, set up a small studio space one day, publish a book with my photos. Learn to play the piano (that's probably the unrealistic one).

Now a quick question and answer game so we can find a bit more about you and your tastes!
Tell us one:

book: Hemingway's Moveable Feast; Baricco's Silk
music: Florence & The Machine
movie: Into The Wild; Three Colours: Blue
personality/artist: Mary Oliver
color: turquoise, blue-grey, lilac
object: book
animal: dog
drink: coffee
food: chicken soup
season of the year: spring, autumn
travel destination: mountains, sea
piece of clothing: slouchy tops :)
secret: ... (this is what it looks like, but I can't tell you what it is)

Thank you for sharing your dreamy world with us Katarina!

CRU

2012-02-07T09:53:00.003Z

No Sábado foi dia de inauguração. Um novo espaço abriu na Rua do Rosário, no Porto.

A CRU combina dois conceitos muito interessantes: o de loja colectiva - onde cada criador pode arrendar o seu pequeno espaço expositivo - e o de co-working - onde um open-space dá origem a um conjunto de micro-estúdios que permitem aos criativos trabalhar num espaço personalizado sem perder todas as vantagens de estar inserido numa comunidade.
Este é um lugar de partilha, divulgação e criação. Sentem-se energias positivas e criativas no ar.

Trabalhar sozinho ao seu ritmo tem muitas vantagens... mas todos vocês que têm o seu espaço de trabalho em casa já devem ter sentido a necessidade de pedir uma opinião ao colega do lado, de rir da anedota que acabaram de contar ou de simplesmente ter uma voz amiga que diga que é hora de fazer um intervalo e tomar um café ou de começar a trabalhar e sair do facebook! O conceito de co-working tenta combinar o melhor de dois mundos... e a CRU tem potencial para fazer novas ideias crescer.

O espaço de co-working ainda está em preparação, mas a loja já está de portas abertas - visitem!

Saturday was opening day. A new space opened on Rua do Rosario, in Porto.

CRU combines two very interesting concepts: a collective store - where every designer can rent a small exhibition space - and co-working - where an open-space gives origin to a set of micro-studios that allow creatives to work in a personal space without losing all the advantages of being inserted in a community.
This is a place to share, promote and create. You can feel positive and creative energies in the air.

To work alone at your own pace has many advantages... but all of you who have your workspace at home must already have felt the need to ask for a colleague's opinion, to laugh at someone else's joke or to just simply have a friendly voice that says it's time for a break and a coffee or to start working and exit facebook! The concept of co-working attempts to combine the best of both worlds... and CRU has the potential to make new ideas grow.

The co-working space is still in preparation, but the store is already open - if you happen to be around Porto don't miss it!

Rua das Flores

2012-02-06T09:46:00.001Z

No Sábado à tarde percorremos a pé Rua das Flores.
Uma ligação à escala humana entre S. Bento e o Largo de S. Domingos.
Estreita.
Com passeios que obrigam a um constante zigue-zague de sobe e desce se nos cruzamos com alguém.
Estranha calma aparente, escondida atrás do bulício do trânsito de Mouzinho da Silveira.
Algumas transversais que sobem para o miolo esquecido atrás dos Clérigos.
Alguns edifícios bem recuperados.
Algumas fachadas, tantas, que choram, com pena de terem sido abandonadas...
Algumas montras onde apetece parar.
O medo de tropeçar nos paralelos.
Às vezes esquecemo-nos de olhar para cima e quase perdemos a fachada da Igreja da Misericórdia, que mal tem espaço para respirar.
Dizem que será transformada num percurso pedonal.
Fico a sonhar com o dia em que o movimento de pessoas encha as lojas recuperadas e dê nova vida a tantos espaços abandonados cheios de potencial.

On Saturday afternoon we walked along Rua das Flores.
A human scale connection between S. Bento and Largo de S. Domingos.
Narrow.
With sidewalks that require a constant zig-zag of ups and downs if you come across someone.
Strange apparent calm, hidden behind the hustle and bustle of traffic of Mouzinho da Silveira.
Some transverse go up to the forgotten core behind Clérigos.
Some well recovered buildings.
Some facades, too many, that cry, with sorrow for having been abandoned...
Some shop windows where you feel like stopping.
The fear of tripping in the irregular ground.
Sometimes we forget to look up and almost lost the facade of Misericórdia Church, that has barely room to breathe.
They say it will be transformed into a pedestrian street.
I'm dreaming about the day when the movement of people will fill the restored shops and give new life to so many abandoned spaces full of potential.

grand opening!

2012-02-02T10:20:00.000Z

Depois de algum tempo em reformulação a loja está oficialmente aberta!

Agora, todos os produtos estão num só sítio, organizados por categorias e colecções, com fotografias e descrições à disposição da vossa curiosidade.
Basta que adicionem ao carrinho de compras os vossos favoritos e procedam ao check out!
Se tiverem dúvidas podem sempre consultar a página de perguntas frequentes, mas se ainda assim preferirem fazer a vossa encomenda directamente, não há problema - estejam à vontade para me enviar um email.

Convido-vos então a visitar a loja, vestida de fresco e com muitas novidades... Para celebrar a grande inauguração ofereço portes de envio gratuitos até final de Fevereiro - aproveitem!

After a while in reformulation mode, the shop is oficially open!

Now you have all products in one place, organized by categories and collections, with photos and descriptions at your curiosity's disposal.
All you have to do is add your favorites to the shopping cart and then proceed to check out!
If you have doubts you can always read the faqs page, but if you still prefer to order by email, there's no problem at all - just write me.

I invite you to have a look at the shop, dressed up in fresh and with lots of news... to celebrate the grand opening, I'm offering free worldwide shipping until the end of February - enjoy!

Sex and the City

2012-01-31T10:43:00.005Z

Sexo e a Cidade.
O fascínio de New York, as aventuras de Carrie Bradshaw e suas amigas, o desejo de um final feliz.
A muito famosa série produzida pela HBO e lançada em 1998, foi transmitida ao longo de 6 anos e 94 episódios. Na altura pouco lhe liguei - vi um ou outro episódio, conhecia a trama geral e as personagens, mas nunca acompanhei uma temporada do início ao fim e havia muitas peças do puzzle que não sabia como interligar.

Há alguns meses atrás, finalmente tirando partido da fantástica funcionalidade de programação da nova box da zon, cruzei-me por mero acaso no canal Sony com o primeiro episódio da primeira temporada e num momento de revelação premi a opção: gravar todos os episódios.
Durante os últimos meses, esta tem sido a minha companhia diária ao almoço, um espécie de guilty pleasure... confesso. Tornei-me viciada na dose de humor e glamour que cada episódio emanava, ri e chorei com as aventuras das quatro amigas, falei mal entredentes do Big e muitas vezes desejei ser a Carrie... viver num apartamento de renda controlada em New York e poder coleccionar sapatos Manolo Blahnick com o meu aparentemente chorudo ordenado de escritora - ignorando o facto de tudo isto parecer bastante irrealista! Mas: who cares, right?!

Como tudo tem um fim, na semana passada vi o último episódio e foi com tristeza que tive que convencer-me que teria que arranjar nova companhia para o almoço... eu não queria que acabasse, mas não conseguia deixar de querer ver como acabava - ainda que isso me deixasse com uma ridícula lagrimazita no canto do olho. Como se não bastasse a pena pelo the end - embora seja um merecido happy end - a tortura de o grande final ser passado em Paris parece no mínimo irónico... agora para além de querer ir a New York desejo ardentemente morar em Paris... ai ai...

E vocês, também são fãs do Sexo e a Cidade, ou escondem outro tipo de gilty pleasures?

Sex and the City.
The fascination of New York, the adventures of Carrie Bradshaw and her friends, the desire for a happy ending.
The very famous series produced by HBO and released in 1998, was exhibited over 6 years and 94 episodes. At the time I didn't pay it much attention - I saw one episode or another, I knew the general plot and characters, but never followed a season from start to finish and there were many pieces of the puzzle I didn't know how to connect.

A few months ago, finally taking advantage of the fantastic programming functionality of the new zon box, I came across by chance in Sony channel with the first episode of season 1 and in a moment of revelation I pressed the option: record all episodes.
During the last few months, this has been my daily company for lunch, a sort of guilty pleasure... I confess. I became addicted with the dose of humor and glamour that emanated from each episode, I laughed and cried with the adventures of the four friends, I called bad names to Big and often wanted to be Carrie... to live in a New York apartment and be able to collect Manolo Blahnick shoes with my seemingly lucrative salary of a writer - ignoring the fact that all this seems quite unrealistic! But, who cares, right?!

As everything has an end, last week I saw the last episode and it was with sadness that I had to convince me that I had to find a new company for lunch... I didn't want it to end, but couldn't help wanting to see how it ended - even though it left me with a ridiculous little tear in the corner of the eye. As if being the end wasn't enough - though it is a well-deserved happy ending - the torture of the finale being in Paris seemed to be at least ironic... Now, besides wanting to go to New York I ardently desire to live in Paris! Oh dear...

Are you also a Sex and the City fan, or prefer to keep another gilty pleasures?

{friday I'm in love}

2012-01-27T11:58:00.001Z

1. Casa do Conto 2. Maria Rita 3. 4. Yoshimasa Tsuchiya 5. roost

Como é habitual deixo-vos alguma dose de inspiração para o fim-de-semana...

+ o fantástico projecto do hotel Casa do Conto, no Porto, publicado no yatzer.
+ as esculturas de sonho de Maria Rita e Yoshimasa Tsuchiya.
+ um blog de babar: roost.
+ o projecto criativo muito bem-humorado Tattoo The Girl.
+ um artigo que me deu que pensar, acerca da por vezes ténue linha entre o criticismo e o cinismo - e a nossa capacidade de distingui-los e seguirmos em frente mais fortes.

Bom fim-de-semana!

As usual, I leave you with a dose of inspiration for the weekend...

+ the amazing project of the hotel Casa do Conto, in Porto, published in yatzer.
+ the dream sculptures by Maria Rita and Yoshimasa Tsuchiya.
+ a blog to drool: roost.
+ the humorous creative project Tattoo The Girl.
+ an article that made me reflect, about the thin fine line between criticism and cinism - and our hability to distinguish them and move on stronger.

Happy weekend!

{the interview series} The Vamoose

2012-01-25T10:42:00.003Z

Kathryn Blackmore é a mente criativa que dá vida a The Vamoose - uma marca de joalharia marcada pelas linhas femininas e pelo cuidado na escolha dos materiais. Kathryn gosta de dar atenção aos detalhes, de combinar pedras e elementos vintage de formas surpreendentes, de brindar os seus fãs com imagens belas que nos transportam para outro mundo - o mundo de sonho em que habitam as mulheres que usam as suas peças. Continua a ler e transforma-te também numa delas.

[Este post pertence à rubrica semanal {the interview series}, onde publico uma nova entrevista todas as quartas-feiras, com artistas e bloggers inspiradores que admiro, de acordo com o espírito handmade e um estilo de vida criativo. Tornem-se fãs no facebook e não percam nada!
Por motivos óbvios de extensão e compreensão do texto, tanto pelos entrevistados como pelos potenciais leitores do resto do mundo, a entrevista segue em inglês.]

Kathryn Blackmore is the creative mind who gives life to The Vamoose - a jewelery brand marked by feminine lines and a careful choice of materials. Kathryn likes to give attention to detail, combining stones and vintage elements in surprising ways, spoiling her fans with beautiful images that transport us to another world - the dream world where the women who wear her jewelry inhabit. Read on and become one of them too.

[This post belongs to the weekly feature {the interview series} where I publish a new interview every wednesday with inspiring artists and bloggers I admire, according to the spirit of handmade and a creative lifestyle. Become a facebook fan and don't miss a bit!]

Kathryn Blackmore | The Vamoose
United Kingdom
blog | shop | twitter | facebook

1. Let’s pretend we don’t know each other and I’ve never heard about Kathryn Blackmore. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m 25 years old, living and working in a small Lancashire town in the North West of England. I started a blog in 2008, which eventually led to the beginning of a jewellery line in 2009. I love to watch period dramas and prefer cold days to warm.

2. You have fashion design in your academic background and you own an online jewelry shop. How was this creative passion born and what was the journey that brought you here?
I’ve enjoyed arts and crafts for as long as I can remember. A family friend always showed an interest in what I created, and I often think it was because of her encouragement that I opted for design-based further education. Although I had intended to pursue a career in fashion design after graduation, my circumstances at the time led me down a different path. I’d never intended to create my own jewellery business, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

3. You design and handmade every piece of The Vamoose jewelry line. Why is your brand called like that? Tell us about the concept behind it.
Every piece is assembled by myself and each stone hand picked. I love the special quality a handmade process can add to an item. Knowing where it came from and who it was created by. Those are the qualities you can’t necessarily achieve with a mass-produced product.

4. Your work is feminine and subtle – I really love your style! Tell us about what inspires you to create, the materials you use… share your creative process with us.
Semi-precious stones, fabric, brass and vintage components are the most used materials in my work. I gather inspiration almost every day and although the themes do vary, natural history remains a strong and constant source. If a material has an interesting history or a great story behind it, then I’m more inclined to want to work with it. Sometimes I enjoy the research more than the design process or creation of a piece.

5. Your photographs are stunning! They’re perfect to express the spirit behind your jewelry pieces. I’ve read in your blog that you’ve been collaborating with some talented young photographers, such as Eefje De Connick. Tell us about it.
I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with creative people around the world. Eefje was the first photographer I collaborated with. We got talking after she’d placed an order from my shop and since then we’ve worked together several times.

7. You have an inspiring blog where you share some great images of your work in progress and through your online shop your creations travel around the world! What means do you use to promote your work?
The thought of people in countries around the world wearing my jewellery is so nice! Apart from blogging, I use Twitter and Facebook to promote my work. It’s perfect for instant feedback, sharing what I’m working on and to communicate with customers and followers.

8. You’re not merely a crafter, but an entrepreneur. Tell us about the challenges of it.
I’m certainly not a natural business minded person, but I’m learning and improving with experience. The challenges are ensuring a good balance between creative and business based tasks. I’d much rather spend my time researching and creating, but of course the business and admin side of things are equally important.

9. Besides creating, what else are you passionate about doing?
Watching old movies, reading and taking advantage of the scenic walks surrounding my home.

10. Would you share with us a regular day at work?
I begin the day by checking my emails and task list. Preparing and despatching orders are usually a priority, followed by whatever else needs to be done. Working on samples, photographing new pieces, sourcing materials, post office trips and perhaps a little bit of procrastination courtesy of Tumblr, Twitter and Google Reader.

11. Would you give us a glimpse of your working space? Describe it and tell us what you love most about it.
My work area is quite small and very white! All of the walls and surfaces act like blank canvases when planning or working on new collections. The white surfaces are also useful for taking quick photographs of my progress to share with followers on Twitter and Facebook. There are sets of drawers below each worktop filled with supplies and a wall dedicated to displaying jewellery samples and works in progress.
While preparing for a new collection, research is tacked to a wall and a large coffee table is dedicated to unfinished pieces alongside inspiring objects. When a collection is complete, everything is cleaned away, ready to start again.

12. You live in the United Kingdom, would you tell us about the place where you live and what you love most about it? Would you like to live anywhere else one day?
I live in a small town in Lancashire, England. The surrounding area can be very beautiful and there are lots of scenic reservoir walks to discover. I’ve lived in a few areas of West Yorkshire in the past and would love to move there again in the future.

13. If you could live in any historical era of your choice, what would it be? Why?
Victorian Britain, as it was a time of great change and progress. It was the era for Charles Dickens, the Pre-Raphaelites, cabinets of curiosity and a popular time for mourning jewellery.

14. What advices would you give to someone who would also like to become a jewelry designer/maker?
To work hard and not judge yourself so heavily against others. There have been times when I have felt disheartened when comparing my work with others, but now I turn those negative feelings into something more positive, as motivation to do better and improve.

15. What are your plans for the future? And your most unrealistic dreams?
To continue to grow and develop my business. And my most unrealistic dreams… possibly to own a holiday home by the sea!

Now a quick question and answer game so we can find a bit more about you and your tastes!
Tell us one:

book: currently reading Kartography by Kamila Shamsie
music: Yann Tiersen
movie: any kind of period drama
personality/artist: Dante Gabriel Rossetti
color: turquoise
object: flowers
animal: dog
drink: raspberry and orange smoothie
food: savoury tart
season of the year: spring
travel destination: Italy
piece of clothing: silk blouse
secret: dancing around the house when no one else is home

Thank you for sharing your unique jewelry with us, Kathryn!

Great Expectations + Francesco Clemente

2012-01-24T10:12:00.001Z

Great Expectations é uma adaptação muito livre de Alfonso Cuáron do livro com o mesmo nome de Charles Dickens.

Quando este filme estreou no cinema em 1998 fiquei absolutamente apaixonada. Talvez tenha sido pela banda sonora e pelo sentido de humor das muitas versões de Bésame Mucho... talvez pelos actores, pelo olhar de miúdo perdido de Ethan e pelas roupas fantásticas de Gwineth... talvez tenha sido pela história comovente de um artista nato que vê o seu sonho realizado e por não resistir a uma bela história de amor impossível... ainda que tenha sido por tudo isto junto, foi também, definitivamente, pela arte de Francesco Clemente - a que dá vida ao filme do princípio do fim, de traço expressivo e simbologia intensa.

Na altura não liguei muito ao nome do artista, mas tive a oportunidade de rever o filme há pouco tempo e desta vez não quis deixar de reter o seu nome para depois poder investigar. Sei que as críticas ao filme não são muito positivas, mas... ainda que concordem com elas, estou certa de que concordarão também comigo: nem que seja só para ficar a conhecer o trabalho de Francesco Clemente já vale a pena!

Great Expectations is a very free adaptation by Alfonso Cuarón of the book with the same name by Charles Dickens.

When this film debuted in cinemas in 1998 I fell in love. Maybe it was for the soundtrack and the sense of humor behind the many versions of Bésame Mucho... perhaps for the actors, Ethan's lost boy's look and Gwineth's wonderful clothing... perhaps for the moving story of a natural born artist who sees his dream come true and because I can't resist a beautiful story of impossible love... even though it must have been for all this together, it was also definitely because of the art by Francesco Clemente - that gives life to the whole movie, with its expressive trace and intense symbolism.

At the time I didn't care much about the artist's name, but I had the opportunity to review the movie recently and this time I had to retain his name and then investigate about him. I know that the reviews about the film are not very positive, but... even though you agree with them, I'm sure you'll also agree with me: it's worth for Francesco Clemente's work alone!

Ediota

2012-01-19T10:15:00.001Z

A Ediota é um inspirador projecto colectivo que se dedica a Ediotices criativas.
Aposta na multiplicidade, na inovação, na criação de novas ideias e na edição das mesmas através da acção. Insiste na criatividade e boa-disposição. Investe na originalidade e qualidade do que é português. Cria crachás, malas e acessórios, cadernos, bonecos e ilustrações. Acredita que juntos somos mais fortes e propõe colaborações a outros criativos, porque sabe que a Ediotice é um estado contagiante pronto a conquistar o mundo.

Agora, também eu tenho orgulho em ser Ediota!
Quatro das minhas ilustrações deram origem a uma colecção de autor de crachás, que tive o prazer de receber pelo correio esta semana - adorei o resultado! Se também gostam, vá lá, sejam Ediotas e comprem-nos aqui.

Ediota is an inspiring collective project dedicated to creative new ideas. The word may be freely translated as Ediot - a kind of pun in Portuguese that combines the words edition + idea, creating a new word that sounds like idiot, even though the first letter is different.
Ediota bets on multiplicity and innovation, on the creation of new ideas and its edition through action. It insists in creativity and a good sense of humor. It invests in the originality and quality of what's Portuguese. It creates pin buttons, bags and accessories, notebooks, dolls and illustrations. It believes that together we are stronger and proposes collaborations with other creatives, because it knows that being Ediot is a contagious state ready to conquer the world.

Now, I'm proud to be an Ediot too!
Four of my illustrations were turned into a collection of pin buttons, that I had the pleasure of receiving in the mail this week - I loved the result! If you like it too, go ahead, become Ediots as well and buy them here.

{the interview series} twiggs' photography

2012-01-18T11:16:00.000Z

Hoje trago-vos uma criadora portuguesa verdadeiramente multifacetada. A Cláudia, mais conhecida por Twiggs, começou por ser psicóloga, mas é na fotografia que encontra a sua maior fonte de inspiração.
O seu trabalho divide-se entre o filme e o digital, entre a fotografia e o design, entre a imagem e a palavra, mas é através das suas lentes que Twiggs mais nos faz viajar - as suas fotografias levam-nos a percorrer os recantos favoritos da sua cidade e os detalhes que a apaixonam no mundo que a rodeia... e que bom que é viajar assim!

[Este post pertence à rubrica semanal {the interview series}, onde publico uma nova entrevista todas as quartas-feiras, com artistas e bloggers inspiradores que admiro, de acordo com o espírito handmade e um estilo de vida criativo. Tornem-se fãs no facebook e não percam nada!
Por motivos óbvios de extensão e compreensão do texto, tanto pelos entrevistados como pelos potenciais leitores do resto do mundo, a entrevista segue em inglês.]

Today I bring you a truly multi-faceted Portuguese artist. Claudia, better known as Twiggs, began as a psychologist, but it's the photography world that gives her the greatest source of inspiration.
Her work is divided between film and digital, between photography and design, between images and words, but it's through her lenses that Twiggs makes us travel far - her photos walk us around the favorite corners of her city and through the details that make her fall in love in the world that surrounds her... and how nice it is to travel like this!

[This post belongs to the weekly feature {the interview series} where I publish a new interview every wednesday with inspiring artists and bloggers I admire, according to the spirit of handmade and a creative lifestyle. Become a facebook fan and don't miss a bit!]

Cláudia Casal aka Twiggs | twiggs’ photography
Lisbon, Portugal
site | blog | shop | facebook

1. Let’s pretend we don’t know each other and I’ve never heard about Cláudia Casal or Twiggs. Tell us a bit about yourself and the reason for this nickname Twiggs.
Hello Ana, thank you so much for inviting me to these amazing series of interviews! It is such an honor! Well, my name is Claudia, I’m 31 and I live in Lisbon. I am also known as Twiggs and all this began in the time where we all connected through MSN Messenger. I used to change names from time to time, according to something that was inspiring me at the moment. I always loved Twiggy for her look and different personality that stands out from all the models. So I became Twiggy… and later Twiggs. When I felt the need to create a blog, I took a while figuring out the name… until I thought about “a place for twiggs”, because I needed to write to find my place in this world.

2. You’re a psychologist who found a big passion in photography and is now taking some steps in graphic design and webdesign. How was this creative passion born and what was the journey that brought you here?
I can say that in the past I never ever thought I would be doing this by now. I graduated in Organizational Psychology, started to work as an Educational Psychologist on a High School and then moved to Lisbon to work in Human Resources. Photography was always a bit present, but never serious. After visiting NY in 2007 and receiving a digital camera, my love developed… and I found myself joining Flickr and that was the beginning of everything. I started to feel like I wanted to do something else… to understand what kind of life I wanted for myself, instead of that one I was living at that time. I started the blog a few months later and opened my first online shop. When I found myself unemployed I saw it as an opportunity to actually devote all my time to this project and make it work. I am completely self-taught in everything I do, and thought I could be helping others with those things I learned along the way, like the notions of aesthetics, colours, composition… and web-design.

3. Let’s now talk about your big passion: photography. You create dreamy images that reflect some of the things you love: Lisbon, vespas, nature, vintage details… Tell us about what inspires you the most, the themes you prefer to portray… share your creative process with us.
Actually I don’t see it as a creative process, at least a process itself. I work every day on my laptop, running online shops + blog, just like anyone else working at an office. I have a routine and a schedule. Then on my free time, weekends or time I leave on the week for that matter, I go out and wander the streets of Lisbon along with my camera, having nothing in particular to shoot on my mind. I just go and take a walk. On the weekends that also happens, even when I’m not in Lisbon. I just carry my cameras with me. And what I see around inspires me or I find myself driven to the same sort of things, like the narrow streets of Lisbon, vintage cars and motorcycles… nature details… I like the idea of showing someone something that was always there, but people never noticed it. As once a customer said when looking at a picture of some raspberries in a cup “Wow these look so beautiful, I never looked at raspberries like this… I just eat them, without even noticing their beauty!”

4. It must be really difficult to capture the personality of a person or the intimacy of a relationship in photography, but you accomplish it! Would you share with us the biggest challenges you face? Share some useful photography tips with us!
Well, the biggest challenge I think any Portrait Photographer has is to connect with the clients, because they are someone they never met before… so if we wish the results to portray the person itself or the intimacy of a relationship, as you say, we need to connect, and connecting is something I actually love to do and do it quite naturally, I think. On the other hand a photographer may also be a bit nervous, because he wants to do a good job and he needs the client to relax, and the client is not a professional model so he expects the photographer to tell him what to do, so the photographer has to be calm, has to connect with the client and tell the client what to do, what works better. During the whole session, you just need to talk with the client about something pleasant, so you can find a smile or a laughter… therefore natural gestures!

5. Tell us now about your most recent shop: twiggs designs, where you sell inspiring paper goods. You must really be an optimist person, your posters are always filled with bright thoughts! What made you want to embrace this new creative field?
Oh well, sometimes I actually need some refrainment myself, as I have all these ideas coming into my mind, which can be turned into a business, so I need to think about the effort to make something and if it is worthwhile to announce it to the world as a new branch. For example, I secretly wish I could have the time to design wedding invitations, because I have all these ideas and I love to play around the illustrator! Twiggs’ Designs was born like that… I had all these ideas of other products that I liked to create, but they didn’t fit any of my fine art shops, and I like to separate things that are different. So, I gathered all the posters, cotton totes and notebooks into one shop and now I create as I wish… and add the new products to this shop… that also has a branch on Society6!

6. a place for twiggs is the name of your inspiring blog, which started out as a personal journal but is now a space you use to share your work and other artists, along with interviews and other great features. Tell us about all things that keep you inspired to post and share your thoughts with us.
As I told you before, I spend my whole day on the computer, mostly on the Internet… usually my browser has almost ten pages opened, because I am always thinking of something to see, to read, to check, and I click on everything that I find interesting, even if it’s just a name! Having a schedule on the blog helps me to organize all these things I find interesting, or else, I would be a very confused blogger! Nowadays I tend to be very inspired by small Nordic blogs, Scandinavian women/moms/wives that share their house, day and work with the readers. I found myself stepping away from the huge blogs lately, because I was in need for something more personal. So anything with a good design, a good house, a good story behind will inspire me! A good photographer will inspire me… a small business in chocolate or wedding invitations will inspire me…

7. You really enjoy wearing different hats and your brand is always growing with the birth of new ideas and products! How do you manage to combine all these tasks? What gives you more pleasure to do?
If only I knew how I manage all this I would tell you! Sometimes I don’t know where to start either… Now seriously speaking, I was working a lot in these last months… like 16h a day, until one day I realized I was feeling anxious and nervous about my day all day long. And so I thought to myself that something was going very wrong, if I was doing what I loved. So I realized that working 16h a day was not a good idea, so I stopped and started to organize my day, in order to work from 9h30am to dinner time. Usually I schedule web-design projects to Monday + Tuesday and then work around all the other things on the other days. I started to be a little more organized and things worked out pretty well! Anxiety and stress were no longer a part of my day… well, at least anxiety, because a little bit of stress is welcome and usual, when there are deadlines. Regarding the pleasure part, well… I love to go out and take pictures, edit them (sharing them with the clients is awesome as they see how beautiful they are!!) and to web-design… (I love to work around CSS and see things happening and turning them into beautiful layouts!), but on the other hand… I also love to connect through the blog…

8. You’re not just an artist but an entrepreneur. What means do you use to promote your work? Tell us about the challenges of it.
Well it has been a challenge every day as I think we all learn along the process… when I started my first Etsy shop, I thought all I had to was listing the photos and wait… Now I know that is not enough at all! So I use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Newsletters, Blog… to promote my work… I try not to promote the same things at the same time, but I try to be present in several networks. However, I need to work around the way I reach my customers, even when shipping… I think that I need to work the communication tools on that part! The challenge is to manage all the means we have currently… there are way too many social networks!

9. Would you share with us a regular day at work? Besides working, what else are you passionate about doing?
Playing with my dog for sure! Having a dog actually helps me to relax and he forces me to stop sometimes to play with him, and he just makes me relax and laugh! A regular day starts around 8h30 with me taking Mr Kobe outside, breakfast for all, then I sit on my computer and start working. I stop for lunch, for about an hour, play with Mr Kobe, and then start working again… by the end of the afternoon, I need a snack and Mr Kobe needs to go outside again and this is a way for me to relax and leave the house, taking a walk and get some fresh air! Then I go back to work until dinner time… and after that part, I love to spend time reading my favorite blogs, and do whatever I love to do…

10. Would you give us a glimpse of your working space? Describe it and tell us what you love most about it.
Well, it all started with our dinner table… being occupied by a laptop, then a few things extra for pens and things to wrap my orders… and then I actually changed my whole living-room, in order to be left without a dinner table, but a pretty nice working table (two months later we actually bought another dinner table)! So my working space has a cork board in front of me with things I like, photography tips, ribbons and photos from other photographer friends! On the left I have a very unattractive black printer and a basket with some stock prints. What I love the most about it? It’s a dinner table, all mine, and that was a very impossible idea in the first place, living in such a small apartment!

11. You were born in Leiria, but now live in Lisbon and I know that you’re in love with New York! Would you tell us about what you love most about these different cities? Would you like to live anywhere else one day?
For starters, in Portugal I don’t see myself living anywhere else but Lisbon. I love this city and everything it has to offer. I love the fact that I can pick a movie to see and it doesn’t have to be a blockbuster, I will find a place to see it. I love the fact that if I decide at 11pm that I want to go out for dinner and I will find an open restaurant… if I decide to go to a concert, I don’t have to change my whole day to go to that concert, which would happen if I lived in Leiria, for example. I like that Leiria is a small, but very pretty city. I traveled a lot through the country for training sessions and I noticed, than unlike other similar cities, Leiria has a very rich social life. People go out for a cup of coffee… and not just the young people, families go out with their kids… Leiria is a charming city, though it could be more… New York… well, what can I say? It would be my city, if things worked out that way. I love that city since the very first day I walked into those streets when I was 12… I love everything about it, the skyscrapers, the wide avenues, the different people in the streets, the multicultural feeling, the fact that you could go out dressed as a pink bunny and no one would even look at you, because they don’t care! I like the feeling of being anonymous, which happens in Lisbon as well… most of the times (it’s a lot easier to bump into someone you know, than anyone thinks!). New York City is not America… it has its own nationality and soul. And it’s like you’re in the center of the world. You can find anything there! That is why I am going there again for the 4th time… and hopefully, not the last!

12. If you could live in any historical era of your choice, what would it be? Why?
I love the 20’s… because you can’t beat those dresses, hairdos and pearls! Even smoking was charming back then! But other than that I can confess that when I was young and saw Robyn Hood with Kevin Costner, I wished very hard that I could live in those times… I thought it was charming and romantic as well! Though if we think straight… there is no charm in being a woman and poor in those times!

13. We are both Portuguese, so I don’t resist asking: what are the main problems you face being an artist in our country, Portugal?
Social Security rules! Today I was actually watching the news and thinking about that! How can anyone start being a freelance in something it is not stable at all, if you have bills to pay, like rent, water, light, gas… and if Social Security demands you to pay at least 125€ every month? And of course, you should work on your taxes every month, so that you have the money when the time to pay comes. There should be another way to pay Social Security according to what you earn each month… the rules are not created thinking about small businesses, or at least these kind of small businesses… not those small companies that have 5 employees. And let’s not even start on the lack of promotion of artists in our country… we are very small, but very creative, but somehow people step away from handmade things… based on the reason that it is more expensive… but maybe it will last longer…

14. What advices would you give to someone who would also like to become a photographer?
Work hard, and take photos every day. Practice with your family and friends… Try different occasions to practice, try different equipment to practice and read a lot about photography. I buy magazines every month, I read tips about photography, I practice a lot… and I see myself growing as time goes by, learning new things very frequently! Talk with other photographers, ask for help and if someone is not that happy to help out, try someone else, but don’t give up and be humble!

15. What are your plans for the future? And your most unrealistic dreams?
Well, I would love if in 8/12 months I could be a freelance photographer, keeping with all those businesses I have with design and web-design. That is my main goal for one year… and most unrealistic would be having a small shop with my work and a huge iMac to work, not this slow laptop I own!

Now a quick question and answer game so we can find a bit more about you and your tastes!
Tell us one:

book: My last one, written by Jose Villa about being a Fine Art Wedding Photographer
music: Christmas Music by Bing Crosby
movie: Mary Poppins and Love Actually for Christmas time
personality/artist: Jonas Peterson (photographer from Australia)
color: Green
object: My cameras
animal: Mr Kobe, the dog
drink: Tea and Coffee
food: Almost everything portuguese, give me some typical snacks and I’m a very happy lady!
season of the year: All of them, though I get tired very fast…
travel destination: New York (oh yeah!)
piece of clothing: Scarves
secret: Sometimes I’m afraid of not accomplishing these dreams I work for every single day

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful world of beauty with us Twiggs!

Viarco Express

2012-01-16T11:18:00.002Z

Sob o mote: um século, dez lápis, cem desenhos, Viarco Express é uma exposição itinerante que se encontra na Biblioteca Almeida Garrett, no Porto, até 5 de Fevereiro.
A entrada é livre e o passeio vale a pena. Entre os desenhos expostos encontram-se nomes conhecidos como Álvaro Siza, Paula Rego, Graça Morais, Ângelo de Sousa ou Julião Sarmento e outros mais desconhecidos, mas igualmente interessantes, que são expostos aqui como uma grande família com um ponto de partida comum: um lápis de grafite Viarco.
10 lápis especialmente concebidos em edição limitada para o projecto foram entregues a 10 criadores de diferentes áreas artísticas, que depois de criar o seu próprio desenho, deveriam passar o mesmo lápis para a mão de alguém que conheciam, dando assim origem a um percurso criativo em crescendo até ser atingido o número de 100 artistas - 100 desenhos.

Este projecto nasceu de uma colaboração entre a única fábrica portuguesa de lápis, a Viarco, e os Maus Hábitos. Em 2006, data em que o registo da marca em Portugal completava 70 anos (embora os lápis já se produzissem com outro nome desde 1907), começou o jogo.
Em 2009 a exposição Viarco Express era inaugurada no Museu da Presidência da República e depois de passar por São João da Madeira, cidade que acolhe a fábrica, está agora no Porto - não percam a oportunidade de a visitar, porque é possível que esta seja a sua última aparição pública. Em breve os desenhos serão leiloados para que daí nasçam novos e mais criativos projectos...

Under the motto: one century, ten pencils, one hundred drawings, Viarco Express is an itinerant exhibition that is now patent at Biblioteca Almeida Garrett, in Porto, until February 5th.
Admission is free and is worth the ride. Among the exhibited drawings there are familiar names such as Álvaro Siza, Paula Rego, Graça Morais, Ângelo de Sousa or Julião Sarmento and other more unknown, but equally interesting ones, that are exhibited here as a big family with a common starting point: a Viarco graphite pencil.
10 pencils produced in a limited edition specially designed for the project were given to 10 artists from different creative areas, that after creating their own drawing, should pass the same pencil to the hands of someone they knew, thereby giving rise to a creative growing journey until the number of 100 artists - 100 drawings was reached.

The project began with a collaboration between the unique Portuguese pencil factory, Viarco, and cultural association Maus Hábitos. In 2006, when the registry of the trade mark in Portugal completed 70 years (even though the pencil production had began in 1907 under another name), started the game.
In 2009 the Viarco Express exhibition was inaugurated at the Museum of the Presidency, and after passing by São João da Madeira, the city where the factory is placed, is now in Porto - don't miss the opportunity to visit it, because this may be its last public appearance. Soon the drawings will be auctioned, so they can lead to new and more creative projects...

Sizígia

2012-01-13T15:10:00.004Z

[créditos das duas primeiras fotos: Ruptura Silenciosa.]

Em Oceanografia, marés de sizígia são as que ocorrem nas luas nova e cheia, quando os efeitos lunares e solares se reforçam uns aos outros, produzindo as maiores marés altas e as menores marés baixas.

Para a Ruptura Silenciosa Sizígia é a primeira de uma série de curtas metragens realizadas no âmbito do projecto de investigação da FAUP, "Ruptura Silenciosa. Intersecções entre a Arquitectura e o Cinema. Portugal 1960-74".

Para mim foi uma intensa e introspectiva reinterpretação de um percurso pessoal ao longo da geometria da Piscina das Marés (Álvaro Siza, 1959-65).
Durante 17 minutos todos os arquitectos que enchiam ontem o auditório de Passos Manuel, no Porto, encheram também os olhos de betão cor azul mar. Sinto a arquitectura do Siza como cada vez mais poética.

wearables: the brooches

2012-01-12T09:52:00.002Z

A colecção de arte para usar veio para ficar! Tenho gostado imenso de fazer experiências e transformar as minhas ilustrações em peças de joalharia... é um modo muito particular de juntar os meus dois mundos criativos: as ilustrações encontram novos e mais versáteis suportes, as jóias tornam-se mais pessoais e personalizáveis.

Depois dos colares, mostro-vos agora as pregadeiras: de formas femininas e cores atrevidas, expõem ilustrações originais de minha autoria.
+ a ilustração mede 2,5 x 1,8cm (1 x 0.7 in) e está protegida por uma cúpula de vidro.
+ a pregadeira é feita de resina e mede cerca de 5 cm (2 in) - do seu extremo pende uma pedra preciosa.

Enquanto não estão disponíveis na loja (que está neste momento a sofrer melhorias profundas!) podem escrever-me para o email atelier@anapina.com para mais informações.

The collection of art to wear is here to stay! I'm loving to experiment and turn my illustrations into jewelery... this is a very special way to join my two creative worlds: illustrations find new and more versatile props, jewelry become more personal and customizable.

After the necklaces, I now show you the brooches: with feminine shapes and bold colors, they show original illustrations created by me.
+ the illustration measures 2,5 x 1,8cm (1 x 0.7 in) and is protected by a glass dome.
+ the brooch is made of resin and measures about 5 cm (2 in) - the hanging bead is a precious stone.

While they're not available in the shop (which is, by the way, currently under profound improvements!) you can write me an email to atelier@anapina.com for more information.

urban market + index newspaper

2012-01-09T15:14:00.004Z

O passado Sábado foi preenchido com eventos culturais. É cada vez mais fácil encontrar coisas interessantes para fazer na cidade do Porto - são espaços novos e clássicos a visitar ou onde ficar a tomar qualquer coisa, mas são também eventos regulares ou pontuais que usam a cidade como palco para pontos de encontro dinamizadores.

Depois de um almoço na simpática Galeria de Paris e de um café no Tea Point, seguimos para o espaço Lófte, onde decorria o Urban Market - um evento dedicado à venda e promoção de jovens criadores organizado pelo Portugal Lovers. Sob o mote Paixão pelo que é nosso, esta marca centrada na área do Marketing e Comunicação pretende apostar na valorização do que é português, incluindo no plano de actividades a dinamização da cidade através de eventos do género, promovidos em espaços sempre diferentes que sirvam de instrumentos de mudança e animação. Quem sabe se não terei também oportunidade de expor no próximo?

Depois, esperava-nos no Café Ceuta o lançamento da nova revista de arquitectura Index Newspaper. A Amélia e o Rodrigo, dois arquitectos do Porto, juntaram-se para dar forma a esta publicação bilingue trimestral que ambiciona por toda a gente a falar de arquitectura. Cada revista apresenta-nos um ilustrador diferente para a capa, uma entrevista, um atelier, um conjunto de projectos e um ensaio. Cada lançamento servirá também de pretexto a um evento onde se pretende falar sobre arquitectura em espaços pouco convencionais.
O salão de bilhares do Café Ceuta nunca se imaginara cheio de tantos arquitectos e estudantes de arquitectura. As mesas de bilhar serviam agora de espaço de exposição e foi assim, num ambiente informal a meia luz que a conversa com o arquitecto suiço Valerio Olgiati se foi desenrolando... e vocês, já têm o vosso exemplar?

The past Saturday was filled with cultural events. It's increasingly easy to find interesting things to do in Porto - there are brand new and classic places to visit, but there are also regular or occasional events that use the city as stage for dynamic meeting points.

After a lunch at lovely Galeria de Paris and a coffe at Tea Point, we headed to Lófte, where there was happening a Urban Market - an event dedicated to the sale and promotion of young artists organized by Portugal Lovers. Under the slogan Passion for what is ours, this brand works in the area of marketing and communication and bets on the promotion of what is Portuguese, including in its action plan the revitalization of the city through events of this kind, always promoted in different spaces that serve as instruments of change and animation. Who knows if I'll have the opportunity to be present as an exhibitor next time?

Then, waiting for us at Café Ceuta there was the launch of the new architecture magazine Index Newspaper. Amélia and Rodrigo, two architects from Porto, joined to give life to this bilingual quarterly publication that wants to leave everyone talking about architecture. Each magazine presents us a different illustrator for the cover, an interview, an atelier, a series of projects and an essay. Each release will also serve as a pretext for an event where to talk about architecture in unconventional spaces.
The billiards room of Café Ceuta never imagined itself full of so many architects and architecture students. The pool tables served as exhibition space and so, in an informal half light atmosphere, the conversation with the Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati took place... do you have your copy already?

{friday I'm in love}

2012-01-06T09:38:00.004Z

Inês Telles | Filipa Oliveira | Marie Charpentier | William O’ Brien Jr.

Durante esta semana descobri o trabalho de alguns jovens joalheiros, li artigos interessantes sobre arte, cultura e escolhas que os artistas têm que fazer se querem continuar a criar e fiz uma pausa - uma muito relaxante e necessária pausa.
Deixo-vos com os links, cliquem e inspirem-se!

During this week I discovered the work of some young jewelers, read interesting articles about art, culture and the choices artists face if they want to continue to create and I took a break - a much needed relaxing break.
I leave you with the links, click and inspire yourselves!

+ Inês Telles
+ Filipa Oliveira
+ Marie Charpentier
+ Yatzer - the 50 most liked articles in 2011
+ Pikaland - why artists & illustrators should get a job
+ the quiet place project

{the interview series} perdi o fio à meada

2012-01-04T10:58:00.003Z

A nossa primeira convidada de 2012 é portuguesa e cria belíssimos acessórios em crochet sob o mote perdi o fio à meada. Embora esta expressão em português seja sinónimo de confusão, Vera João Espinha parece ter encontrado e bem o seu caminho: a cor e a natureza servem de inspiração para designs originais que evoluem sempre em novas e surpreendentes direcções.
Percam-se também - mas pelas palavras e fotografias do trabalho da Vera!

[Este post pertence à rubrica semanal {the interview series}, onde publico uma nova entrevista todas as quartas-feiras, com artistas e bloggers inspiradores que admiro, de acordo com o espírito handmade e um estilo de vida criativo. Tornem-se fãs no facebook e não percam nada!
Por motivos óbvios de extensão e compreensão do texto, tanto pelos entrevistados como pelos potenciais leitores do resto do mundo, a entrevista segue em inglês.]

Our first guest of 2012 is Portuguese and creates beautiful crocheted accessories under the motto perdi o fio à meada. Even though in Portuguese this expression might be synonym of confusion, Vera João Espinha seems to have found the right path: color and nature serve as inspiration to original designs that always evolve in new and surprising directions.
Get yourself lost as well - but in the words and photographs of the work of Vera!

[This post belongs to the weekly feature {the interview series} where I publish a new interview every wednesday with inspiring artists and bloggers I admire, according to the spirit of handmade and a creative lifestyle. Become a facebook fan and don't miss a bit!]

Vera João Espinha | perdi o fio à meada ®
Portugal
blog | shop

1. Let’s pretend we don’t know each other and I’ve never heard about Vera João Espinha. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am Portuguese, I was born in Lisbon and I'm 37 years old. I work as a graphic designer at a book publisher and I created my own brand perdi o fio à meada based on manual production of contemporary accessories.

2. You are a graphic designer working full time in a book publisher and you create crocheted accessories for your brand perdi o fio à meada. How and when was this creative passion born?
I always liked to draw or paint, and design was a natural choice. The relationship with both grandmothers in childhood developed my interests for some traditional techniques and it has grown with me.

3. I confess that I’ve already tried to learn how to crochet with my mother, but I really think I don’t have what it takes! When did you learn how to crochet? Is it a family tradition?
I learned to crochet with my grandmother (father side) when I was 8 or 9 years old. It was a way to keep me busy in the afternoons. It's not exactly a family tradition, it was very common in old generations, women do and have knowledge of traditional techniques.
It’s common that a person starts knitting because she will have a baby, in my case, I always did crochet and knitting, and I still do.

4. You create beautiful handmade accessories and you design and manually create each piece. I love your original designs and the beautiful colors you choose! How do you manage to keep creating new and original models? Would you share your creative process with us?
Besides working at a book publisher, I am a mother of a 6 years old girl and of course I can’t create all the things I imagine because I don’t have much time, so I create pieces in small series.
In this work I usually say “the needle is my pencil”, I don’t sketch the pieces on paper; an idea comes up and I start creating it, then I go along until I’m pleased with the result.

5. I think it’s really hard to pick a favorite piece, but I must say that I especially love your colar circular (circular necklace). Do you have a favorite? Can I ask you what’s been your best seller until now?
I love the circular necklaces, the pétalas brooches and pinecone pin, but the bestseller until now is the abacus pin.

6. Your creations are inspired by nature and you even keep a blog with your beautiful photographs of objectos naturais (natural objects). Tell us a bit about this project and your other sources of inspiration.
My first inspiration comes from childhood, from the contact I had with my two grandmothers, who did everything by hand. My research is based on natural forms, especially from my collection of "natural objects" — stones, leaves, tree branches, seeds. That blog is just a query file to be viewed more easily. Creativity is a continuous process and I may be inspired in different moments of the day, like some colours in a photograph, a painting, a piece I already created before, my grandmother's doilies or when I make some recycled objects with my daughter.

7. How about your collaboration with Margarida Pintassilgo, from Margapinta? I think the pieces are beautiful, combining the best of both worlds. How was it born and how does it work?
I knew Margarida from blogosphere because I bought her a pair of earrings, later we exchanged a few emails and we made some affinities in several areas, and today we become good friends! Margarida proposed to me a collaboration and I accepted because I love her work. The collaboration went well and we could have continued to make other things together but it's hard for me to have the required time to a project like that.

8. You were already featured in so many inspiring blogs and you even received some promising prizes, such asPOP’s, by Serralves. What means do you use to promote your work?
I use internet to promote my work, but the best promotion is when people use the pieces. Some people think that being online is everything and have a page on facebook is indispensable, but they are wrong, there is so much work behind the scenes you don't see. You only have success if people really like it, buy it and use it, just talk about it isn't enough.

9. Would you give us a glimpse of your working space? Describe it and tell us what you love most about it.
At the moment I work at home, don’t have time to go to a studio. I work at night in my living room, sometimes is very confusing.

10. Tell us now about the place where you live and what you love most about it. Would you like to live anywhere else one day?
I always lived in Benfica. Then I moved into my house with my husband, which is very close but isn’t the same. I miss neighborhood life and leave home to go for a walk everywhere without using my car.

11. If you could live in any historical era of your choice, what would it be and why?
I like to live in my time. Right now I feel we have the power to change our future and it's fantastic. I wouldn't like to live the life of anyone or in another time.

12. You take beautiful photographs, that you share in your blog and that you even turned into postcards. Is photography another passion of yours? What else are you passionate about?
Pictures are almost my right arm from my memory. I like photographing, but I have other passions, just don't have time for all…

13. We are both Portuguese,so I don’t resist asking: what are the main problems you face being an artist in our country, Portugal?
The government should truly support small business owners like me, giving more value to those who promote the traditional art of Portuguese culture. The taxes we pay for everything are very high, is difficult to support a little business like this, we need to invest in ourselves because they don’t invest in us, culture is no supported as it used to be.

14. What advices would you give to someone who would also like to become a designer/artist?
A handmade work requires a lot of our time, sometimes consume us completely, and it’s difficult to separate it from the rest of our lives when it becomes a serious business. If we really love what we do, try don’t give it up. It’s important to believe in our work, we must be good at what we do, and I always say this but it's true: we make our own luck.

15. What are your plans for the future? And your most unrealistic dreams?
A few years ago I used to plan my life, but is frustrating when we reach a certain point and we don't achieve them all. Now I don’t make lists, there are also good unexpected things that we don't plan.
But I have my dreams… of course. I would like one day to have a business of my own. Would love to have a studio with lots of space, and occasionally open to the public to show my work.

Now a quick question and answer game so we can find a bit more about you and your tastes!
Tell us one:

book: The House of the Spirits and Memoirs of a Geisha
music: Too many to list, but at the moment I hear a lot Beirut, Cat Power, Coldplay… next month I will probably be listening to others…
movie: The Motorcycle Diaries is a very inspiring movie for me
personality/artist: Can I say my daughter?! She makes little creations that never crossed my mind to do
color: red
object: stone
animal: meerkats
drink: water of Luso and magnolia tea
food: warm bread and a portuguese soup «caldo verde»
seasonof the year: summer
travel destination: any place very very warm
piece of clothing: tunic, skirt and scarf (I can't choose one of those)
secret: it’s always a secret, and I can keep it

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us Vera!

2011 >> 2012

2012-01-02T10:08:00.005Z

Durante o ano que passou...
+ participei em workshops, feiras e flea markets.
+ visitei feiras, exposições e inaugurações.
+ fiz amizades online e reencontrei amigos que não via há anos.
+ experimentei pilates e muitas receitas novas.
+ viajei até Praga, Budapeste, Viena e Bratislava.
+ passeei pela Costa Nova e Alentejo.
+ percorri ruas e escadarias da minha cidade, descobrindo sempre formas de a ver com novos olhos.
+ publiquei muitos artigos no blog, entrevistas e até dei início a uma nova colaboração.
+ combinei novas cores e pedras, desenhei muito mais, criei impressões, postais, magnets, colares ilustrados e até o meu primeiro calendário.
+ dei início a um curso de joalharia que me tem revelado um imenso mundo novo.
+ recebi a visita da IKEA Family Live e terei o prazer de ver a minha casa publicada numa revista.

Os anos e os dias que os compõem são feitos de grandes e pequenos momentos. Podemos lembrar-nos das coisas boas ou das coisas más. Dos grandes eventos ou dos acontecimentos mais insignificantes. De nomes, caras, sítios ou coisas.
Um ano novo começa, mas nada muda realmente - é só um novo dia que acorda, tal como o de ontem e o de amanhã. O primeiro dia do ano não precisa de sentir-se sobrecarregado pelo peso dos sonhos que queremos realizar durante os restantes 364, porque estes caminham para a concretização indiferentes ao calendário - dia após dia, decisão após decisão, acção após acção.

2011 foi um ano de transição, tal como espero que 2012 seja um ano de mudança e concretização. Precisei de parar para poder avançar e com o começo de um novo ano sinto, mais do que nunca, que este é um processo evolutivo que não pára nem encontra em nenhuma data ou objectivo o seu fim único. Não tem limites que o contenham tal como não tem traços que o pré-definam. Este é um percurso que terá que ser desenhado todos os dias, com a certeza de que a coragem e a vontade para fazê-lo avançar terá que ser maior e reforçada a cada dia que passa - e a cada ano que começa.

Que seja um feliz 2012!

During the past year...
+ I participated in workshops, craft fairs and flea markets.
+ I visited fairs, exhibitions and openings.
+ I made online friends and met old friends I hadn't seen for years.
+ I tried pilates and many new recipes.
+ I traveled to Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava.
+ I walked along Costa Nova and Alentejo.
+ I discovered streets and staircases of my city, always finding ways to see it with new eyes.
+ I published many articles on the blog, interviews and even started a new collaboration.
+ I combined new colors and stones, drew much more, created prints, postcards, magnets, illustrated necklaces and even my first calendar.
+ I started a jewelry course that's revealing to me a great new world.
+ I had a visit from IKEA Family Live and I'll be happy to see my house published in a magazine.

Years and days are made of large and small moments. We remember the good things or bad things. The great events or the most insignificant incidents. Names, faces, places or things.
A new year begins, but nothing really changes - it's just a new day that wakes up, like yesterday and tomorrow. The first day of the year doesn't need to get overwhelmed by the weight of the dreams that we want to accomplish during the remaining 364, because they'll be fulfilled indifferent to the calendar - day after day, decision after decision, action after action.

2011 was a transition year, as I hope that 2012 will be a year of change and achievement. I had to stop to move forward and with the start of a new year I feel, more than ever, that this is an evolutionary process that keeps going without any target date, final objective or only end. There are no limits to contain it or traces to pre-define it. This is a journey that must be drawn every day, with the certainty that the courage and the will to make it move on must be bigger and stronger with each passing day - and every year that starts.

Let it be a happy 2012!

... and a happy new year!

2011-12-30T10:35:00.002Z

Desejo-vos um 2012 muito colorido!
Vamos pelo menos por uma noite ignorar os pessimistas ecos da crise e receber o novo ano de braços abertos e sorriso nos lábios... até para o ano!

I wish you a colorful 2012!
Let's at least for one night ignore the pessimistic echoes of the crisis and greet the New Year with open arms and a big smile... see you next year!