Reborn Beauty on Madeira: A Craft Happening Story
- ARTE.M
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Some collaborations are planned.Others just happen.
And then there are those rare moments when two artists meet and immediately think:“Yep, let’s create something weird, bold and slightly chaotic together.”
That’s exactly what happened when Diana Quintal (D\Backyard) and Anita Gabor (ROODS) crossed paths in Madeira.
From Transylvania to Madeira (Yes, Really)
Anita arrived from Transylvania — looking for inspiration, materials, and real connections with local creatives.
Diana, based in Madeira, was already orbiting around ideas for a Dracula-inspired collection (because of course she was).
So naturally, this meeting was inevitable.
Within minutes, they clicked. No long meetings. No strategy decks. Just that creative instinct: “Let’s make something together.”
Enter: Reborn Sustainable Jewellery
As part of the CraftWork4All project (supported by Creative Europe the collaboration grew into something bigger — a full-on craft happening.
And not the quiet, polite kind.
We’re talking about a room full of people, objects, textures, stories — and a bit of beautiful chaos.
The workshop “Reborn Sustainable Jewellery” took place on March 19 & 21 at Art Hub Madeira, with the support of Art Center Caravel, Madeira.
More than 25 participants joined.Locals. Expats. Curious humans. Creative souls.
Who Was in the Room?
Honestly… we stopped counting.
But we know there were people from:Portugal, Romania, Czechia, Lithuania, Germany, USA, UK — and probably a few more nationalities hidden behind glue guns and piles of old jewellery.
Trash? Treasure? Both.
Participants worked with:
old jewellery
metal caps
forgotten objects
random things that somehow felt… personal
No rules. No perfection.
Just the challenge: Create something that feels like you.
And something shifted.
“It was inspiring to see how people let go of expectations,” says Anita.“They started creating from objects that really reflected their personality.”
So… What Came Out of It?
A collective piece.A wearable sculptural object.A bit punk. A bit ethnic. A bit everything.
Very Madeira.Very now.
More Than a Workshop
Yes, it was about sustainable jewellery.Yes, it was about design.
But also:
about people meeting
about cultures mixing
about making something together without overthinking it
“Events like this are not only about supporting contemporary craft,” says Svetlana.“They also create intercultural dialogue — something we need more than ever.”
About the Artists
Anita Gabor (ROODS)
Jewellery artist. Photographer. Explorer of materials and stories.
Anita holds a BA in Fashion Design from the West University of Timișoara (Romania) and works across jewellery, textiles, and visual storytelling.
Since 2019, she has been developing ROODS, a brand shaped by travel, cultural encounters, and hands-on making. Her projects span Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, where she has led workshops and participated in exhibitions and artist residencies.
Diana Quintal (D\Backyard)
Fashion designer. Textile artist. Professional boundary-pusher.
A graduate of ESART, Diana’s journey includes international internships and collaborations with designers like Susana Bettencourt. She co-founded KDI, reached the finals of Portugal Fashion’s Bloom platform, and had her work featured in Vogue Italy.
Her personal project D\Backyard is where things get bold — mixing craft, emotion, knitwear, prints, and experimentation.
Based in Madeira, she presents collections regularly and has shown work internationally, including in the UK. Her designs have been worn by artists like Blaya, Calema, and Sofi Tukker.
What’s Next?
More collaborations.More unexpected meetings.More making-without-overthinking.
Because apparently, when Transylvania meets Madeira —something interesting always happens.
Comments