Meet the Members - Ema's Corner

Name: Ema de Freitas
Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmasCorner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmasCorner
Shop Blog: http://emadefreitas.tumblr.com/

Hello! Could you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm Ema, from Funchal, where I'm currently living and working. I have lived 16 years on the north of Portugal and almost 7 years ago I've decide that it was about time to see the SEA every single day again…

I'm a psychologist and a professional trainer, so my craft couldn't be more distant from my training and schooling, what can I say?! I'm vegetarian (that's why I don't use leather in my creations), I love animals specially cats (got 6 furry, fluffy friends), I love travelling around the world, color (pretty obvious if you visit my shop), good sense of humor… And so many other things!

Decorative pillow with felt fishes by Ema's Corner

What made you choose this craft (art)?

Honestly, I didn't choose, it happened! Almost a year ago I decided to make my own Christmas ornaments (I LOVE Christmas), because I wanted something different. As I have always enjoyed one particular traditional fabric from Madeira Island, I began making some Xmas balls with it and then came the felt embellishments and one thing led to another.

My project is not only my wish to bring people closer to one traditional fabric from Madeira Island, by designing nice, unique handmade pieces with this material, but it is also a lot more than that.

Green burlap clutch with red heart by Ema's Corner

Why sell on Etsy?

I had heard about Etsy sometime ago, and what was appealing to me, then, was this: “Handmade will always be the heart of Etsy”. So, it seemed to be the perfect place to open an online shop, because all my creations are handmade by me! Etsy is still a great place to find unique, handmade pieces, meet people, change ideas, and learn.

Fabric Bag with face felt appliqué by Ema's Corner

What do you find most inspiring?
When an idea comes to life! So may of my creations, end up being very different from the original idea, and that is to me, very interesting. Also sometimes it can be quite frustrating when I cannot give life to an idea. In those cases I find myself looking for solutions and waiting for the right time… Overall, it has been a very enriching process and there are still many lessons to be learned!

Red and blue butterflies' decorative pillow by Ema's Corner

You were involved in the “Mentor Month” program on Etsy. What was the most important thing that you took from it?

Being involved in the ”mentor month” was very important because a learned a lot and there was a lot of help from Ana Anselmo, my mentor, to whom I thank again for the time, the commitment, for sharing her experience and reading my emails… There are still a lot of things to be done because I didn't have the time to make all the changes. But this is a work in progress!

Name a person you find inspiring and why?

I cannot name just one person, because there have been many people that inspired me in the past, as well as there are a lot that are inspiring me at the moment. They do come from different branches of knowledge - human computer interaction, architecture, photography, just to mention a few, and this allows me to learn a lot.

At the end, I believe it's because I still keep my sense of wonder that I can find inspiration in everything and everywhere.

Creating is never a lonely process

All photos by Ema's Corner.

Check the other Meet the Members interviews.