At the age of seven, Fátima learned the craft of crochet from her grandmother in Moimenta da Beira, located in the Viseu district. Her grandmother would often remind her, “If you’re going to do it, do it well,” a principle that has helped Fátima perfect the stitches that now captivate Americans.
Although crochet remained a constant in her life, it was only after emigrating to Chicago, in the United States, that this art took on a new significance in her daily routine.
In an interview, Fátima, a former math teacher, shared that the encouragement she received from a group of women in Chicago was crucial in reviving her passion for crochet and dedicating herself entirely to the craft.
“Crochet truly entered my life in 2019, after I moved to the United States with my family. I joined a group of Portuguese and Brazilian women there, where we supported each other significantly, creating accessories and items to donate to the homeless in the city—mostly hats, gloves, socks, and scarves knitted,” she explained.
“One day, we decided to hold a bazaar with items we crafted to raise money for a local homeless assistance organization where we volunteered. It was then that I began crocheting. I made various crochet items, including my first earring,” she said.
Through her own designs, Fátima Centeio founded “Crochet by Heart,” focusing almost exclusively on crocheted jewelry and developing unique pieces such as earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces.
The 2019 bazaar was a success, but progress was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It wasn’t until 2021, with an abundance of materials accumulated, that Fátima returned to bazars, and in 2022, she attended her first fair.
“I was very nervous and insecure. I wondered if people would like it. My Portuguese and Brazilian friends appreciated it because crochet has deep roots in both countries, but I was unsure if American women would feel the same,” she recalled.
“But it was a success. Since then, I’ve participated in fair after fair, with people always very impressed, saying my work is completely new and unlike anything they’ve seen before. Their words continue to encourage me,” reflected the 52-year-old Portuguese designer.
Fátima draws inspiration from nature as well as Portuguese tradition, influenced by her grandmother, who taught her to pay great attention to detail.
“Inspiration comes naturally from nature and my surroundings, from the shapes of things. Honestly, if I’m attending a lecture or something else, my mind starts to wander, I begin to observe the architectural lines of the place, and immediately start imagining a new design. That’s how ideas come to me,” she explained.
“I’m also greatly influenced by my Portuguese heritage. I bring a lot of Portuguese tradition here. Portuguese tiles, for instance, greatly inspire me. The strong appreciation for tradition in Portugal is something I think differentiates me in the United States. Additionally, I pay great attention to detail, thanks to my grandmother’s influence,” she observed.
Fátima Centeio expressed surprise and excitement at being recently invited by the San Jose Museum of Art to feature her pieces in the museum store during the exhibition “Loose Ends” by artist Ektor Garcia, who also incorporates crochet techniques in his installations.
The Portuguese artist shared how she was contacted by the museum shop manager, who saw her necklaces online and expressed a keen interest in having them during Ektor Garcia’s exhibition.
“It’s a significant milestone because my work is reaching places further than I have. I don’t have connections there [in California]; it wasn’t a recommendation from anyone. I don’t know how they discovered my work, but I’m filled with pride and very happy,” she celebrated.
Regarding future projects, Fátima Centeio dreams of opening her own studio, having already received requests from clients eager to learn her technique.
“It’s one step at a time. I have many projects, many ideas to pursue. But I’m just one person, and I have to manage everything. However, I love teaching, still cherish that passion, and people frequently ask for lessons at fairs, seeking to learn this art. It’s something I’d be very pleased to do,” she admitted.
