Gratitude

Today I am going to tell the story behind this little pendant. And anyone who knows me or follows me here knows that my work is filled with stories and meanings.

Yesterday morning, I was reminded by an app that the photo above was turning 4 years old and I relived in my thoughts how meaningful this piece, and this photo, are for me.

The year was 2019, I was still exploring polymer clay with a beginner's eye, juggling the life of a mother and an artisan, and this was the first style of floral embroidery I learned to do.

At the beginning of that year, I registered my interest in a São Paulo City Hall program called "Mãos e Mentes Paulistanas" (something like: hands and minds of São Paulo), whose focus was to register craft entrepreneurs in the municipality and, a few weeks later, I was invited to participate in a manual skills test and then receive my certificate.

Upon receiving the contact, I froze. I didn't know what to present or how to present it, but most importantly, how I would organize myself to be in the centre of São Paulo, at 11 am, with all my material and my 5-month-old son in my arms. My husband had an important work commitment that day, he couldn't take care of Owen and I would have to find a way to present my work and take care of my little one at the same time.

A few days after the invitation, I decided to cancel my participation, as I had not been able to create a viable logistics to attend the appointment. I would be reproved for "showing up for a job interview" carrying my son in my arms. It hurt me, but there was no better solution.

And it was in the reply to this email that I received one of the most special virtual hugs for an entrepreneurial mother. I'll leave a part of this chat below:

The technical staff not just offered me other dates but also, they offered to look after my son while I was being tested. 🧡

I was accepted by these people, mostly women, whose empathy makes me keep this episode in my memory, and in my heart, even after so long. Most of the society would disapprove, but I was able to attend my professional appointment holding my baby in my arms.

In the end, I chose another date and my husband could manage his work agenda to stay with Owen. They both came with me and while I presented my skill, my husband stayed inside the room, holding our little one in his arms. Owen didn't cry, but smiled to everyone in the room. My tension, inherent to the moment, dissipated and I was able to focus on my presentation - it was the first time I showed polymer clay to the public - I witnessed admiring looks and answered many questions, in a mixture between dazzle and surprise from the technicians who evaluated me.

I received my accreditation certificate as an artisanal entrepreneur which, although it is no longer valid, I keep with great affection inside my document folder, along with the piece I made during the test and the exchange of emails with the organizers.

As a mother and a professional, I was seen and respected by this group, I received the opportunity that the vast majority would deny to a mother with a limited support network, and this story made me realise that, very often, an act of kindness act does not need to involve great sacrifices, nor money... a caring look to the side, can make all the difference in the "world of the other".

It's about normalizing motherhood. About acceptance. Empathy. Mutual care.

It's about being the change we want to see in the world.