It gives me great pleasure to share these new images of Fatima's rugs, made in Northern Portugal. If her work was framable, they would certainly belong in a frame:)

This past winter, I ventured to northern Portugal alongside one of the partners I represent. We journeyed to the far north of the country to hand-select new vintage pieces and explore the area’s production capabilities for wool, linen, and basketry. 

This week, I am really excited to share one of my favorite finds from this year with you. It's a new partner of mine from Portugal who offers an extremely vibrant and soulful line of ceramics. This collection is extremely special. It evolved from the work of four Portuguese illustrators who were invited to work in Alentejo with a family of master potters. The limited-edition terracotta line they created together merges traditional techniques and motifs with more modern designs. The playful collection includes alguidares, wall dishes, anthropomorphic pots and small utilitarian dishes.

It's quite inspiring to see young artists work with the masters to create a line available for the export market. It’s an example of something that can truly help sustain this craft. Traditional know-how is celebrated, yet there is ample room for innovation and an opening for new market opportunities. It’s a wonderful multi-generational cultural investigation that’s resulted in a beautiful series of work.

When you first approach Alentejo you realize why Mizette Nielsen fell in love with the area. The landscapes of central Portugal are breathtaking. The scent of lavender, chamomile, and orange blossom fills the spring air. I made the journey to Alentejo this past spring to meet with Mizette just two months after she sold her business, Fabrica Alentejana de Lanificio.