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Sandra used to crochet for other brands. She hand-crafted pieces that were sold, but the buyers never knew about the hours she spent weaving the thread, or the story behind the crochet art they were wearing. That is why the artisan decided that every piece of clothing, home decor item, or accessory she made would be sold under the brand Sandra Portella: Arte em Crochê.
Sandra Portella learned to embroider and crochet from her mother. By the age of 8, she was already enchanted by needles and thread. Her creativity overflowed in the pieces she learned to make with her family.
For 18 years, she worked in large retail companies. In 2006, she became unemployed, and what she had learned as a child became her source of income. She realized then that her dormant talent was an alternative to the crisis she was facing.
Four years later, she found new horizons through meetings at the Banco da Providência and the Agência de Família. Encouraged by these meetings held for community families, Sandra began participating in the Grife da Providência. Her craftsmanship gained new techniques. Along with embroidery and crochet, jewelry was added to her portfolio. Her crochet also gained new possibilities. What was once done only with a dance of needles and thread now included rope, jersey fabric, Lycra, and other materials. Fashion and decor brands began ordering her pieces. The income was welcome, of course. But she started to want more. Why could some people sign their work and she couldn't?
“My dream is to see my work recognized, with my name on it, because I’ve already made beautiful pieces where only the brand’s name appeared. Of course, I want a financial return, but what enchants me is seeing the sparkle in someone’s eyes when they see something I created.”
Her passion and focus is crochet. It is in this weaving that her heart beats. It is this weaving that allows her to always be by her son Léo’s side. It is this weaving that enables her to work while taking care of his every need. It is this weaving that encourages her to overcome every struggle life presents.
In 2015, Sandra suffered a stroke, lost movement on her left side, and had difficulty speaking. Her son, Léo, has hydrocephalus, a condition that makes him dependent on care. Sandra’s mother had passed away that same year, and her partner decided to leave. In that moment, crochet was her strength.
“Crochet helped me recover, because I was very depressed and afraid of being alone. Crochet was my sedative, my distraction.”
Today, Sandra Portella wants everyone who wears her products or decorates their home with them to know that it is more than just an ornament. Sandra Portella: art in decoration is a life story told in thread.