A self-taught untangling of knots
- Paloma believes macramé is a form of active therapy
- She believes in passing on her knowledge to others
- Her passion for craftsmanship became a lifestyle rather than only a profession
Paloma Christiansen is a textile artist, macramé teacher, interior design graduate, and an eternal creative soul. When she first came across macramé, she saw an infinite number of possibilities. "I did not think twice before choosing that path," she recalls. Since 2016, Paloma has been transforming her life positively in many ways through the practice of macramé. Her new lifestyle is based on freedom, working with her hands at her own pace with no geographical limits. As a self-taught artisan, she felt strongly that she should not keep this knowledge to herself, and decided to make teaching a significant part of her approach. Today, with more than 3000 students having taken her online macramé courses, she is confident that she made the right decision.
INTERVIEW
During my studies in interior design I learned to apply different materials into a space. Only when I moved to Rio de Janeiro did I discover macramé, which was a key point in my life, because only from then on did I really manage to express myself artistically.
If I had had a master to guide me through my journey, it would have saved me a lot of time. Learning the savoir-faire from a master is important. I feel an enormous pleasure teaching, and I share without fear of creating competitors. Everyone has their own style and together we are stronger.
It took me a while to understand that I had to be an entrepreneur and not just an artisan. But when I understood that, everything became easier. I started to organise production schedules, and have more discipline.
When I started teaching, I received feedback from students who were depressed for whom macramé brought a new perspective on life. The power of working with your hands moves me. It is an active therapy: as we produce knots, we remove the knots from within.
