local markets :: cooler & wooler

oh happy day, oh happy day! today is {local markets} day… and today a young lady with beautiful green eyes ( i just hope she doesn’t come and tell me that her eyes are blue, instead of green!)… she is a mom and after being a mom discovered she had many talents, almost forgotten, but not forgotten at all.

her name is rita and launched two brands… {cooler} & {wooler}. and she is a portuguese design-maker!

can you tell us something about yourself? my name is rita cordeiro and i’m a graphic designer specialized in book making. i have a 4 year-old daughter called alice and i like crocheting and knitting. i can’t imagine my daily life without music and taking pictures and i’m a severe shoeholic.

how did {cooler | wooler} start? i learned to crochet with my grandmother (father’s side) when i was a little girl. i didn’t crochet for years since then, until i became a mother and all the family treasures came to my hands. i suddenly remembered how i loved doing it and, after i picked a needle and some yarn, it was just like riding a bike. we then moved from lisbon to leiria and i got more spare time and started doing some experiences to fulfill my own needs/wants. i started posting some pictures of those pieces in flickr, and i remember i was totally surprised by how people liked them. it took me some time to believe that it was really possible for me to start a business with what i was designing for myself.

what inspires you? i’m a real fan of color and form. i get inspired by vintage and tribal and am very interested in getting to that place where i’m sure that i’m doing something new and i’d really wear myself. i like to think that the traditional crochet i learned when i was little gave me some knowledge to take it to a different level, and that what i do now is a contemporary version of what, not so long ago, was considered corny and out of style. the theory of less is more is mostly what i try to apply to my work. and i also love working on the idea of multifunctionality.

what advice can you give for those small business owners in our country? it’s really hard to maintain a small business, since taxes ar e so hard on us and, basically, burocracy seems to rule this country. you really have to be persistent and believe in your own skills (because you have to be very good at multi-tasking) and work very hard to keep original and true to what you are and what you believe in.

what do you think would be helpful for small business owners in our country? it would be great if the creative spirit and initiative could be better supported by local government and by people in general. handmade quality designed goods should have the possibility of being appreciated differently than mass-made ones. i think that it’s a slow process, but we’ll get there. and i’m happy to think that i’m doing my part.

oh she said the right words… handmade being more appreciated than mass-produced ones… or at least someone should give us that chance… and governmental support to cut down those taxes that are unbearable for such small businesses. but above all these things… be persistent and create unique value… your value. be a part of this with {your} own contribution! thank you rita, for your contribution for this feature here on {a place for twiggs}. i certainly do appreciate your wise words! don’t forget to visit rita in both of her shops {here} & {here}!

what is {local markets}? a community dedicated to the very best portuguese talented & independent artists that strive for an original work and exquisitely executed handmade design & photography. once a week, there will be a special feature for these artists, to spread the word about their talent, to introduce you to new & fresh work.{local markets} is an original feature from {a place for twiggs}.