Céu Salazar

Céu Salazar

between bobbins and words

Communication and lace

Céu Salazar learned to weave with bobbins at the age of three, even before she could write. She was taught by the best: her grandmother, Julieta Estrela, co-founder and master of the Bobbin Lace School in Vila do Conde in 1919, who dedicated over 40 years to teaching this art. In the 1950s, Julieta was succeeded at the school by her daughters, Laura and Beatriz Estrela—Céu's mother and aunt. However, the girl who attended the bobbin lace school daily during her childhood never imagined that craftsmanship would become her profession. Trained in Social Communication, Céu worked as a journalist for over a quarter of a century. Despite building a significant career with words, both spoken and written, she realised that while journalism allowed her to tell stories, it was in lace that she found her own, more beautiful and unique narrative, with deep roots. From 2016, motivated by the challenge of reconnecting with her origins, Céu turned entirely to manual work, created her own brand, opened her studio in the city, and certified her products. Since then, she has dedicated herself intensively to the art of bobbins, often for more than 12 hours a day, consumed by the meticulousness that the quality of lace demands—a legacy of precision passed down from mother to daughter.

Squares of Innovation

Recently, Céu Salazar completed her favourite piece, a tablecloth that is one of the most beautiful and largest laces she has ever made. This work, imbued with the aura of ancient times, presents a complexity that few lacemakers would dare to tackle. Being a large project, which involved high costs and a long execution period, Céu shared the responsibilities with other experienced lacemakers. This decision facilitated the management of the work and strengthened the exchange of knowledge among the artisans, ensuring respect for traditional methods. Céu Salazar's awareness of the importance of collaborative work comes from her experience with a lineage of lace masters who did not work alone and from the understanding that a single bobbin does not weave lace, just as a single artisan does not sustain a tradition. This distinctive vision allows Céu to dedicate time to developing other innovative products that combine the delicacy of lace with the robustness of materials like silver and gold; creating decorative elements for interiors, such as sofas and lamps; and making smaller, more marketable pieces, such as bracelets, earrings, or book markers. The nativity scenes made of lace are one of the hallmarks of Céu Salazar's work. Her creation was based on moulds from Eastern Europe, fully adapted to incorporate traditional lace techniques. To form the bodies of the characters, Céu uses the bobbin as a central structural element. The figures are finished with complex interweavings, giving them volume and detail, transforming simple threads into distinct three-dimensional contours. With innovative techniques, Céu has revitalised the application of lace in unconventional formats.

Enduring connections

All of Céu Salazar's work is interwoven in networks, from the delicate lace patterns she has created since childhood to the vast network of local connections developed during her journalism career. These professional connections facilitate Céu's interaction with the community and promote her craftsmanship. Her presence on social media and at local events also strengthens her visibility and multiplies business opportunities. In her journey between bobbins and words, Céu Salazar has woven a life rich in knowledge, experiences, and examples. Céu's lace holds stories that have the power to strengthen community and personal bonds. By transforming simple threads into complex works of art, Céu reaffirms bobbin lace from Vila do Conde as a symbol of cultural identity that resonates around the world. Her legacy, as intricate as the artefacts she produces, demonstrates that words and lace have the power to unite, beautify, and perpetuate traditions. The pieces Céu creates are emblems of the region's strong cultural heritage, woven with threads of a personal narrative that is simultaneously universal—a reflection of the enduring beauty of human craftsmanship.