hello there once again! how are you my friends? feeling good? yesterday was a lousy grey day here in lisbon… ugh! hate these kind of days! it stopped me from going on my usual run… i went to took mr kobe out for a walk, but it had to end really quick because it started to rain… and i wanted him to enjoy being outside in a bright sunny day! well, let us see what today has reserved for us! well, today as usual is {local markets} day! and let me tell you that this weekend was really interesting because i was able to find some new-to-me portuguese artists and i am really glad to see that some of those artists already said yes to this feature!
today we have a very special lady. i call her special because her work is a perfect example of… original work. her work is something between ceramics… nature… & doilies. curious?
today’s guest is paula valentim and she is the one behind {otchipotchi}. such a cute name for such preciousness. i asked paula to be a gues on {local markets}, she said yes and it was such a pleasure for me! let’s read more about paula’s work!
can you tell us something about yourself? i was born in lisbon and spent a lot of time searching doing many things in life, traveling a bit and experimenting… I can say that I’m still searching. i have a masters in information management and was a librarian, responsible for the architecture department in an university in london for a few years. when I returned from london I reviewed my life and turned the direction. i decided to do a ceramics course which i completed in autumn 2009 and set up my own studio in a small room at home in spring 2010. i live and work in a small town 80km northeast from lisbon.
how did {otchipotchi} start? otchipotchi started in 2006 when i decided to make some clothes and accessories for {sale} while i was a ceramics student. when i completed the course and started to sell my ceramics i simply used the same name and made the shift from clothes to ceramics.
what inspires you? for otchipotchi I’m mainly inspired by nature… flowers, plants, trees, stones, rocks, but also by childhood memories and silence.
what advice can you give for those small business owners in our country? if you have a dream, follow it… and work hard!
what do you think would be helpful for those small business owners in our country? be independent, listen to your inner voice, don’t complaint and concentrate in your work.
what do you think about paula’s work? isn’t this just genius? her pieces are so delicate and makes us feel so close with nature. stunning ceramic pieces. when i see these talented artists i really feel inspired and thankful because these women decided, at some point in their lives, that working on her art was worth it! and we can only benefit from this. thank you so much paula for being here! you can also find paula on her {blog}… and of course, her {shop} is the main stop!
for a glimpse of a few talented artists, you can also read {this}… ladies on kireei asked inês from {aramar} for a sneak-peek into {portugal handmade}. and in here you can find some of {local markets} guests!
images: otchipotchi via big cartel (click on each image to jump to each product’s details)
Dorathy Rybacki says
Ernest Hemingway~ Theres absolutely nothing noble in being superior for your fellow males. True nobility is becoming superior for your former self.