NODNOL ISSUE #2 NODNOL-Issue 2 | Page 42

People of London - Connie & Canela - Ceramics, Textiles, Mixed Media Artist Brazil & West London B ack in January on a fantastic sunny and warm day in Brazil, Connie went through the little beach shops of Praie do Forte. Certain cultures are a paradise for lovers of intense colours and so is Bahia. And it’s also a heaven for creative people because the flow of inspiration is something so nat- ural and omnipresent here. You are surrounded by creativity, by crafting arts and people’s stories. And that’s how I learned to understand Connie’s creative soul better. Walking with her through these shops I witnessed myself how she spots a creation, product here and how she develops it then further and makes it her own creation. In that little shop we saw three amazing cushions. We were fascinated by the use of colours and the sweet girl faces on it. A cushion is something we all like to have and use. 37 And a cushion fitted so well as a new canvas for Connie’s textile creations. CANELA was born! Canela is now the new brand of Connie, a series of cushions telling little stories out of her life, combining the spirit of Brazil with her London life. It’s another bridge made to Connie’s happy childhood as she said but also mirrors some funny moments with her grandchildren. Connie is doing everything by herself, from the Cane- la tag to sewing the cushion covers. She’s mixing stitching, sewing and painting techniques to create her little scenes of girls playing outside in the woods or in flowery surroundings. Every cushion is a unique piece and it takes definitely a couple of days to create one depending on the size of course. With Christmas coming sooner than we think these cushions are a sweet and original gift, don’t you agree? This is my tip for you dear reader if you’re looking for something different to give way for Christmas or birth- days this year. Made in London and by hand, no- body else will have it. Get in touch with Connie ([email protected]) if you’re interested. She is happy to cre- ate the next unique cushion for you. http://consueloradclyffe.com