anapina | blog

{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!

after Christmas

2011-12-26T12:37:00.003Z

Mais um Natal que passou... cheio de boas surpresas, de doces e outras iguarias, de frio e de sol.
Hoje, a paz parece estar instalada: o sol de Inverno faz as delícias da Frida e eu continuo calmamente a degustar as calorias dos doces de Natal que ainda resistiram... espero que o vosso Natal tenha sido feliz e que a última semana do ano comece da melhor maneira!

Another Christmas has passed... full of good surprises, sweets and other delicacies, cold and sun.
Today, peace seems to be installed: Frida enjoys the winter sun and I keep on quietly enjoying the calories of Christmas sweets that are still left... I hope you all had a joyful Christmas and that the last week of the year starts well!

Boas Festas! // Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T14:51:00.002Z

Boas Festas!

Que o Natal seja de paz e alegria!

Happy Holidays!
Let it be a peaceful and joyful Christmas!

Our home in IKEA Family Live magazine!

2011-12-21T10:11:00.005Z

Lembram-se de há algumas semanas atrás eu ter andado uns dias desaparecida e dizer que foi por uma boa causa?... Pois bem, chegou a altura de dizer-vos porquê!

Estou certa de que, mesmo que não sejam IKEA addicts (como eu...), conhecem o conceito IKEA Family e respectiva revista IKEA Family Live. Eu, enquanto IKEA addict assumida, não resisto a folhear o novo catálogo logo que sai, a percorrer o site em busca das últimas novidades e a babar sobre as revistas IKEA Family Live enquanto penso "podia ser eu", por isso é fácil de adivinhar que me inscrevi como membro da família mal a loja do Porto (Matosinhos) abriu!

Se ainda não visitaram o inspirador site IKEA Family Live, façam-no - aqui, dando continuidade ao conceito da revista impressa que sai 4 vezes por ano e costuma estar disponível na loja no espaço IKEA Family (grátis para membros), as imagens de catálogo dão lugar a casas reais, habitadas por pessoas reais, que combinam de modo engenhoso e inspirador o vasto universo IKEA com o seu estilo pessoal.

Quando chegou a hora de mobilar a casa nova passei horas no site IKEA a consultar medidas, a imaginar e desenhar em planta diferentes disposições de móveis, a escolher cores, estilos e modelos... visitei muitas outras lojas de mobiliário, mas nenhuma me convenceu (a mim nem à minha pouco recheada carteira) de modo tão generalizado como a IKEA. Adoro o conceito da loja e da marca e mesmo que carregar e montar tantos móveis possa ser uma dor de cabeça, acho que os outros factores compensam: agrada-me poder experimentar na loja os artigos num ambiente informal, de jogar com as várias possibilidades que cada linha oferece e de descobrir sempre novas soluções para problemas que depois de resolvidos parecem tão fáceis.
Sem querer ignorar os defeitos nem fazer parecer que me foi solicitada a publicidade, admito que me identifico com o design claro, com a flexibilidade e versatilidade, com o sentido prático, simultaneamente estético e confortável, da marca - e suponho que as fotos que por vezes partilho de nossa casa são disso reflexo.

No Verão fui contactada pelo editor da revista IKEA Family Live, com sede no Reino Unido, com um convite para partilhar a nossa casa com a equipa da revista e, quem sabe, com o resto do mundo... depois de um processo de pré-selecção e de alguns meses de espera, recebemos a notícia de que a nossa casa havia sido escolhida para ilustrar a edição de Verão 2012 da revista IKEA Family Live! Que alegria, senti-me tão orgulhosa!

E assim foi: a meio de Novembro tivemos o prazer de receber em nossa casa uma equipa IKEA Family vinda do Reino Unido, que incluiu jornalista, directora artística, estilista, fotógrafa e respectivas assistentes para uma visita intensa de dois dias! Foi uma animação! A casa ficou de pernas para o ar! Nós ficamos cansados, mas felizes... partilho aqui convosco algumas fotos dessa visita, para aguçar a vossa curiosidade... espero que fiquem tão ansiosos como eu para ver o resultado final - em Maio de 2012 a revista estará nas lojas IKEA de todo o mundo!

Vejam todas as fotos aqui.

Remember a few weeks ago I disappeared for some days and said it was for a good cause?... Well, it's time to tell you why!

I'm sure that even if you're not an IKEA addict (like me...), you know IKEA Family concept and IKEA Family Live magazine. As an assumed IKEA addict, I can't resist flipping through the new catalog as soon as it's launched, browse the Web site for the latest news and drool over IKEA Family Live magazines while thinking "it could be me", so it's easy to guess that I enrolled as a member of the family as soon as the store opened here in Porto (Matosinhos)!

If you haven't visited the inspiring IKEA Family Live site yet, do it - here, continuing the concept of the printed magazine that's launched 4 times a year and is usually available within the store in IKEA Family space (free for members), the images of the catalog give place to real homes, inhabited by real people, who combine in an ingenious and inspiring way the vast IKEA universe with their own personal style.

When it came time to furnish the new home I spent hours on IKEA site, consulting measures, imagining and sketching on plant different arrangements of furniture, choosing colors, styles and designs... I visited many other furniture stores, but none convinced me (or my small wallet) so as widespread as IKEA. I love the concept of the store and the brand, and even if carrying and assembling so much furniture can be a headache, I think the other factors outweigh: I like to be able to experience the items at the store in an informal setting, to play with the various possibilities that each line offers and always find new solutions to problems that once solved seem so easy.
Not wanting to ignore the defects or make it appear that I was asked to advertise, I admit that I identify with the clear design, with the flexibility and versatility, with the practical sense, both attractive and comfortable, of the brand - and I suppose that the photos I sometimes share of our home is a reflection of that.

In the Summer I was contacted by the editor of IKEA Family Live magazine, based in the UK, with an invitation to share our home with the team of the magazine and perhaps, with the rest of the world... after a pre-selection process and a few months of waiting, we received the news that our house had been chosen to illustrate the 2012 Summer edition of IKEA Family Live magazine! What a joy, I felt so proud!

So, in the middle of November we had the pleasure of receiving in our home an IKEA Family Live team from the UK, which included a journalist, art director, stylist, photographer and their assistants for an intense 2-day visit! It was a blast! The house went upside down! We got tired, but very happy... I'm now sharing with you some photos of that visit, just a little sneak peek to enhance your curiosity... I hope that you're as anxious as I am to see the final result - in May 2012 the magazine will be in IKEA stores all over the world!

Check out all the photos here.

O Mercado - edição especial de Natal - foi assim!

2011-12-20T10:55:00.002Z

O passado fim-de-semana foi a última oportunidade para visitarem as minhas criações ao vivo antes do Natal... O Palacete Pinto Leite (antigo Conservatório de Música do Porto) encheu-se para um evento em grande: a edição especial de Natal d'O Mercado - uma edição conjunta do Flea Market e do Mercado de Novos Criadores - e eu estive lá.
Este espaço fantástico foi invadido por uma enchente de visitantes e vendedores, de música, comes e bebes e muita animação!
Foi bom rever velhos amigos, fazer novos e sentir o espírito do Natal pairar no ar... Obrigada a todos os que se juntaram à festa e levaram para casa uma criação minha!

Todas as fotos aqui.

wearables | jewelry + illustration = art to wear

2011-12-15T10:32:00.002Z

Depois do lançamento nas Feiras Francas e de uma boa receptividade por parte do público, algumas das novas criações foram finalmente fotografadas e são agora aqui apresentadas!

Os novos colares combinam o conceito de jóia com ilustrações originais de minha autoria - estas são parcialmente reproduzidas, protegidas por uma cúpula de vidro e combinadas com correntes em metal de diferentes acabamentos, dando origem a peças cheias de personalidade, cor e delicadeza...

Como ainda não tive tempo de disponibilizar os novos colares na loja online, se estiverem interessados em adoptar um deles tudo o que têm a fazer é enviar-me um email.
Cada colar custa 15€ + portes de envio (preço especial de lançamento, aproveitem!). Cliquem nas fotos para mais informações.

Para já estas peças são únicas, mas não se preocupem se o vosso favorito já não estiver disponível, porque no início do ano planeio criar mais!

E se tiverem oportunidade, passem no próximo fim-de-semana pelo Porto e vejam estas e outras criações ao vivo - não percam a oportunidade de me visitar pela última vez antes do Natal e de comprar aquela prenda única para alguém especial...
Estarei presente n'O Mercado, nos dias 17 e 18 - um grande evento promovido pela SPOT, que combina a presença dos Novos Criadores, uma edição especial de Natal do Flea Market e muita animação - apareçam!

O Mercado - especial de Natal
17 e 18 de Dezembro
11h - 21h
Palacete Pinto Leite (antigo Conservatório)
Rua da Maternidade, 3-9
Visitem-me!

After the release at Feiras Francas and a good reception by the public, some of the new creations were finally photographed and are now presented here!

The new necklaces combine the concept of jewelry with my original illustrations - these are partially reproduced, protected by a glass dome and combined with metal chains of different finishes, creating pieces full of personality, color and delicacy...

Since I didn't have time yet to place the new necklaces in the online shop, if you're interested in adopting one all you have to do is send me an email.
Each necklace costs 15€ + shipping (special launch price, enjoy!). Click on the photos for more information.

For now these pieces are unique, but don't worry if your favorite is no longer available, because at the beginning of the new year I'm planning to create more!

getting ready for Christmas!

2011-12-13T14:45:00.002Z

O Natal está cada vez mais próximo!
A casa enfeitou-se, à espera da grande noite.
A Frida ficou à janela, à espera que o Pai Natal chegue.

Christmas is getting closer!
Home is decorated, waiting for the big night.
Frida stayed at the window, waiting for Santa to arrive.

É já amanhã! Mercado Novos Criadores no Porto

2011-12-09T15:01:00.000Z

É já amanhã!
Sábado, dia 10, estarei presente na segunda edição do Mercado Novos Criadores!
Aproveitem para visitar-nos num espaço fantástico e fazer compras de Natal muito especiais... este desenho original e muitas outras novidades estarão por lá.

Entre as 10h e as 19h, no antigo Colégio Lúmen - Rua da Boavista, 743, Porto.

postais de Boas Festas! // Happy Holidays! postcards

2011-12-08T10:33:00.005Z

Fizeram-me recentemente uma encomenda personalizada que aceitei com muito gosto!
O desafio consistia em transformar algumas ilustrações da série {the hands} em postais de Boas Festas.

Sei que hoje em dia a maioria das pessoas prefere desejar as Boas Festas aos mais queridos através de um email ou mensagem de telemóvel... mas eu continuo a achar que nada substitui um postal recebido pelo correio, personalizado, escrito à mão com todo o carinho. Pelos vistos não sou a única e ainda bem!

Assim nasceu esta edição especial de postais... são 8 ilustrações originais da série {the hands}, harmoniosamente combinadas com o texto Boas Festas! - que pode, se assim o desejarem, ser substituído pelo seu equivalente em inglês ou mesmo noutras línguas.
O tamanho dos postais corresponde a um A6 (10,5 x 15 cm ou 4 x 6 in), são impressos em cartolina ligeiramente texturada de tonalidade creme, manualmente cortados e dobrados.

Os postais só estarão disponíveis por encomenda, por isso se quiserem mais informações contactem-me. E aproveitem para desejar Boas Festas de uma forma bem especial!

I recently received a custom order that I accepted with pleasure!
The challenge was to turn some illustrations of {the hands} series into Greeting postcards.

I know that nowadays most people choose to wish Happy Holidays through an email or phone message... but I still think that nothing replaces a postcard received in the mail, personalized, handwritten with loving care. Apparently I'm not the only one and that's great!

And so was born this special edition of postcards... they're 8 original illustrations of {the hands} series, harmoniously combined with the text Happy Holidays! - the ones shown above are written in Portuguese, but the text can, if you wish, be replaced by its English or other language version.
The postcards are A6 in size (10,5 x 15 cm or 4 x 6 in), printed in a cream slightly textured card, hand cut and folded.

The cards are only available on request, so if you want more information contact me. And use this opportunity to wish Happy Holidays in a very special way!

{the interview series} "Happy Holidays" mode!

2011-12-07T11:45:00.001Z

{the interview series} teve direito a uma pausa de Verão e agora terá também hipótese de descansar no Inverno!
Este é o tempo de montar árvores e decorações de Natal, de comprar presentes, de escrever postais alusivos à época e de pensar nos mais queridos... por isso, {the interview series} irá entrar em modo de "Boas Festas" e estará de regresso na primeira quarta-feira do ano novo com energias redobradas!

Entretanto têm já 24 entrevistas passadas para recordar: uma para cada dia do mês de Dezembro até à véspera de Natal! Têm a certeza que leram todas?... Para ler ou reler aqui.

{the interview series} was entitled to a summer break and now will also have the chance to rest in the winter!
This is the time to assemble Christmas trees and decorations, to buy presents, to write festive cards and think of the beloved ones... so, {the interview series} is entering in "Happy Holidays" mode and will return on the first Wednesday of the new year with redoubled energy!

In the meantime we already have 24 past interviews to remember: one for each day of December until Christmas Eve! Are you sure you read them all?... To read or reread here.

the Morran Book Project

2011-12-06T17:32:00.004Z

[photo by Camilla Engman]

Se conhecem Camilla Engman, é inevitável que também conheçam Morran - a sua fotogénica e sempre presente companheira de quatro patas.
O famoso blog de Camilla começou na verdade por ser escrito para Morran em 2002 e só dois anos depois adoptou o formato que agora conhecemos - mas Morran sempre assumiu um lugar muito especial no coração e na lente fotográfica de Camilla - e consequentemente no imaginário dos seus leitores.
No final de Agosto deste ano Camilla partilhou uma triste notícia: Morran só teria 6 a 12 meses de vida, devido a um tumor que rapidamente se espalhou para os seus pulmões... triste, mas decidida a fazer a sua companheira viver para sempre, Camilla investiu a sua criatividade no Studio Morran e deu asas a uma brilhante ideia: criar um livro cheio de Morran!

Agora que Morran nos deixou faz ainda mais sentido celebrar a sua boa disposição através do The Morran Book Project agora lançado.
o livro é composto por ilustrações de artistas de todo o mundo e os lucros reverterão para a WSPA - World Society for the Protection of Animals (Sweden). Continuo sem perceber por que na altura não participei neste inspirador projecto, mas não quero deixar de o partilhar agora - para além de apoiar Camilla neste momento difícil, dou os parabéns a todos os ilustradores que através da sua arte dão vida a Morran!
Para comprar usem este link.

If you know Camilla Engman, it's inevitable that you also know Morran - her photogenic and ever-present four legs companion.
The famous Camilla's blog actually began to be written to Morran in 2002 and only two years later adopted the format we now know - but Morran always assumed a very special place in the heart and camera lens of Camilla - and therefore in the imaginary of her readers.
This year, at the end of August, Camilla shared a sad news: Morran would only have 6 to 12 months of life due to a tumor that quickly spread to her lungs... sad, but determined to make her companion live forever, Camilla dedicated her creativity to Studio Morran and gave wings to a brilliant idea: to create a book full of Morran!

Now that Morran has left us, makes even more sense to celebrate her joyful mood through The Morran Book Project now released. The book consists of illustrations by artists from around the world and the profits will revert to the WSPA - World Society for the Protection of Animals (Sweden). I still can't understand why I didn't participate in this inspiring project at the time, but I won't let it pass unnoticed now - in addition to support Camilla at this difficult time, I congratulate all the illustrators who give life to Morran through their art!
To purchase use this link.

Mercado de Novos Criadores | a 1ª edição foi assim!

2011-12-05T10:21:00.002Z

A primeira edição do renascido Mercado de Novos Criadores foi assim!

Ocupámos um espaço fantástico em plena Rua da Boavista - o antigo Colégio Lúmen - e contamos com a presença de muitos e variados Novos Criadores, que ajudaram a encher estas belas salas com muitas boas ideias para prendinhas de Natal... eu estive lá, com uma mesa cheia de peças de bijuteria e ilustração.
Durante os próximos dois Sábados o Mercado estará de volta (eu ainda não sei se poderei participar... por isso estejam atentos!) e espero que as próximas edições contem ainda com mais visitantes, porque agora não têm desculpa: já sabem onde encontrar os Novos Criadores!

Mercado de Novos Criadores - o primeiro é já amanhã!

2011-12-02T11:14:00.004Z

Os Novos Criadores estão de regresso!
Fizeram sucesso na Rua Galeria de Paris e depois de uma longa pausa estão prontos a renascer numa nova morada: física e virtual.

Eu terei o prazer de fazer parte deste recomeço e junto-me à festa para um Mercado muito animado já amanhã, dia 3 de Dezembro! Levarei comigo muitas novidades... e comigo estarão por lá muitos outros criadores de qualidade nas áreas da joalharia, acessórios, design de moda e peças tradicionais portuguesas. Está também prometido um cantinho para adoçar a boca com delícias de época natalícia... já estou curiosa!

Não percam mais uma excelente oportunidade de fazer compras de Natal muito especiais - este ano, apoiem os artistas portugueses e surpreendam amigos e familiares com criações handmade in Portugal.
Estaremos entre as 10h e as 19h no antigo edifício do Colégio Lúmen, na Rua da Boavista, nº 743, no Porto. Visitem-nos!