Little Nothing… “To be and not to have”: Paula Castro’s organically conceived line of jewelry

“To be and not to have” …the trademark behind Paula Castro’s philosophy. Fed up with the values of corporations, Paula Castro’s decision to transition into jewelry has resulted in a refined aestheticism defined by a genuine sensitivity and a brand that is imbued with Paula’s passionate love of nature. Shells of empty hazelnuts dangle as ornate pendants in silver and gold, and tree bark acts as the inspiration towards an incarcerating cuff bracelet. Exhibiting internationally since 2014, Little Nothing is a jewelry brand driven by a crystal-clear transparency.

What inspired the name “Little Nothing?”

Two reasons…I had another professional life before I started making jewelry. I worked in big companies, and I was fed up with the kind of values that people had. I would like to work with simple things…things that give us pleasure. Since I was a kid I picked things from the floor, from the mountains…sticks, little twigs, stones, whatever…and so I knew that I would like to work with nature. Most of the materials that I work with in my work is from the floor…its nature, and they are nothing.  On one hand is the kind of materials, on the other hand I would say it is a life philosophy. It is more important to see a nice and true smile, or a little flower that is given to another person…simple behaviors, and so Little Nothing came from the materials and simple actions, and not the “I am very important, so I have a big car” attitude…this is not what brings happiness.

Specifically, is there any part that you drew your inspiration from. Is there a particular mountain that you really felt connected to?

I like particularly mountains, and I need to go to mountains…to trek, to climb. When it was possible to travel, I used to go to the Alps, because I like high mountains, and with the Pandemic situation I was not able to do that. There is a park in my city Porto that I like very much…very green with lots of trees, and water…but mainly, mountains!

Do you think that jewelry should be obvious, or do you think that it should be more discreet?

I am not a classical jeweler at all…and I do not have jewelry shops, so I would say that it can be for certain kinds of sensitive people that can understand. For me it is not necessary to be obvious, and maybe for me, this kind of artistic jewelry is not necessary to be obvious, I think it’s necessary that it can make you think a little.

Do you design specifically with your customer in mind, or with your own inspiration?

Inspiration!

Is there a particular style that you have put a lot of yourself into?

I make different kind of works, because I need to make different things, but I also make more artistic jewelry. Artistic jewelry is a different process…a slow process, and a long process… to do that I must be more focused, and more on that…to read a lot. This I would say is very organic…from the soul.

You use porcelain, pergament, and paper…is there anything that you try to avoid?

I don’t like to work with plastic. Plastic I never worked with despite this year in a project that I have been developing…I was thinking to use plastic, but recycled plastic. Maybe I’m going to use the packaging in plastic in the future.

Is there something that you love to use…maybe a signature material for your brand?

I like silver…I like very much to work with silver, I like very much the kind of finishing that is possible with this metal.

In terms of manufacturing, how long does it take for you?

The kind of pieces that I’m going to show at HOMI, I don’t know exactly how to say how much time, because the technical process to make this, takes two days for me and then I have to make the pieces and so…it depends also on my mood! Other kind of pieces I can tell you that for one and a half months, I have been working on it, and I do not have one piece yet because I go, I go back…it takes a lot.

Is there a specific style that your customers are drawn to… has there been a favorite, or one that is very successful?

This line Natural Details, I would say is my more commercial line…I don’t know if this is what people prefer, but it sells.

When you started, was there a particular brand that inspired you to make your own creations?

It was very organic…even during school when I was learning jewelry, my first pieces were with sticks, little twigs, or branches…it was from inside, I don’t know how to say it.

And when your customers are wearing your work, how do you want them to feel?

Well with themselves…and that they can show their own individuality and not mass consumption products. Each piece could be a little reflection of his/her soul.

How do you see the brand developing?

I already have the organic materials, and I would like very much to focus on plants from Portuguese natural parks, and I think it’s important for me to make them and to stress in the importance of natural parks…I would at least for a period to focus on that.

Any specific type of plants?

I like leaves from trees, moss, and bark as well…but I like everything!

How do you feel about gold?

For me there is one problem…gold is too expensive for me! I make gold plated pieces, but now I like it but when I started making this, it was a market issue. I plated some pieces but in the beginning it was a conflict for me to do that, because you are selling something that is going to change, and you are selling a little bit of gold that is going to disappear…and it can be interesting or not interesting at all for the person.

What would be the best treatment for your pieces?

It’s very simple, there are some products of course…but I would say that for normal silver, a little water and toothpaste is enough. Thank you!

LITTLE NOTHING PAULA CASTRO will be exhibiting at HOMI FASHION&JEWELS 2021 / 18 - 20 September 2021.

HOMI F&J EXHIBITION, a dedication to sustainability, craftsmanship, design and manufacturing with the ultimate accuracy. HOMI F&J explores a cultural challenge, is sustainability a utopian fantasy or a possibility? 

Just as Milan once transformed the production into fashion, today it deals with the new challenge to transform the luxury industry into an industry with positive impacts. Transparency, intellectual fairness and human respect are the civil needs that every company must learn and appreciate.

The project comes to life in Rho Fiera Milano from the 18th to 20th of September 2021. The focus will be on a new definition of sustainability, natural materials, short supply chains and recyclability.