Process versus product is a tension involved in any project
At PORTOMEA, I believe that the integrity of one’s work dwells in the process, and that speaking about it with openness reveals more than the final outcome is able to tell. Everything carries its story of creation. This is how a piece of PORTOMEA jewelry comes into being:
Idea
Absorbing the world and abstracting daily experience is the initial step in the creative process and is oftentimes inconspicuous. These ongoing observations, reflections, and notes lead to an idea that begs further exploration. Sometimes a piece is all about its shape and form, and at other times, it is created to highlight the subtleties of color and texture.
Quality
I strive to bring the handcrafted quality of PORTOMEA pieces as near perfection as possible through the mastery of craft and a close inspection. Only the best materials make it into the jewelry, and the process is overseen from inside out. Like the inner workings of the mind and heart that sustain our existence, how the piece is made on the inside is just as important to me as its appearance. Because I believe in construction integrity, I infuse every detail with relentless attention, and that is why each bead is stitched only one at a time. Something that is made well, also looks beautiful. It is my goal to share the language of visual aesthetics through PORTOMEA collections.
Handmade
All PORTOMEA jewelry is made by hand — there is simply no other way. No machine can stitch the beads, one at a time, in ways only a hand can. This personal touch adds to the richness of the experience, not only for the final owner of the piece but for the me as the designer as well. Since I personally handle every bead that goes into PORTOMEA jewelry, I know exactly how many are used in each piece. This process allows for abundant opportunities to imbue each item with the aesthetic pleasure of creation, the sense of wholeness and contentedness — something that I know, translates into the beauty of each piece.
Time
Countless hours are devoted to this meticulous craft. I honor the time it takes to create a piece of jewelry that embodies and expresses the wisdom of the ages passed down to the contemporary era. This is a timeless craft and I hope to help preserve it for you and the generations to come. I implement generations-honored traditional techniques of stitching that date back to ancient history. Putting beads together into an adornment is a slow and deliberate practice, and I refuse to compromise quality for the sake of speeding up the process.
Connection
Throughout the process, from your initial inquiry to the order’s arrival, I stay in touch with you to communicate important information about your purchase, shipping, and package. This is especially true if you are ordering a personalized piece, or making a custom order. I want to make sure I get it right. Each piece of jewelry comes in a gift box, ready for giving. While I create from a place of enjoyment and as an expression of commitment to the personal greater mission, I am deeply honored when PORTOMEA pieces get to travel to another person and become a part of their life.
Customer
In this last step of the process, this is where things come full circle, and it is all about your satisfaction. Your ability to connect with this craft and see the same meaning — and even more — behind it, is the ultimate goal. Let the piece grow on you and in you. Just as it had started — with an observation and an idea — my sincere hope is that owning a piece of jewelry that goes through its own journey of creation, will prompt new observations and reflections of your own, because, in the end, PORTOMEA jewelry is an expression of you.