I learnt how to embroider as a small child, by myself, among craft books and magazines. Already grown up, I asked my daughter if she would like to learn.  She replied: - "The needle pricks!” I wanted to prove her otherwise. Once used with the head and the heart, the needle does not prick! You have my embroiderer word!

Gabriela Moreira Pereira

I was a teacher of "grown up" students for 15 years… Instead of needles and embroidery hoops I’ve used formulas and graphics which seemed tough to learn.  Soon enough I’ve learned that the fear for what is difficult is a fearless enemy to those who are keen on learning and that the fear is overcome with our mind and heart… With needles as with complex formulas. To challenge the fright of learning what seems hard I pledged myself that the needle doesn’t prick, strongly believing that we can teach ourselves to face the fear, even if it is with needlework….

With the needles and following our traditional embroidery I’ve found out much about Portugal which moved me in every product I’ve shaped. The taleigos that became kits and the farnel (the cork lunchbox), an activity with cork stoppers, are great examples.

Descovering Portuguese crafts I came across traditional products that surprised me and encouraged me to reinvent applications for its use.

Soon I’ve met the cork and although I cannot say it is mutual, I have a big crush on cork… This passion has already an outcome… The worldonlap lap tray, or lap desk, 100% Portuguese, just cork and cotton. It really seems we have the world on our lap...

The burel - a traditional Portuguese wool fabric highly resistant and compact - was a more recent discovery, but a very inspiring one, used in the capuchas, our beautiful laptop cases.

It is the desire to (re)create ways of being sustainably Portuguese that moves me, always inspired by the charm of the little things ...

Many fruits of the mind and heart is my wish for everyone!

Oeiras, March 2011