DIALOGUES WITH CRISTINA JUNQUERO

We met Cristina in her workshop in the Poble Nou district of Barcelona, ​​where she makes all her pieces by hand. Entering these places always has something intimate, magical about it. It is special to arrive at a place where ideas that, until that moment, remained in the privacy of the artist's mind, materialize.

Between molds of pieces, tools and materials, we spoke with her about the weight of family tradition in her profession and about motherhood. On Mother's Day we wanted to share your experience (and the challenge) of combining work, creative and family life.

Cristina, you grew up surrounded by traditional Andalusian jewellery in your family's jewellery shop. How has this heritage influenced your professional career?

It has influenced me throughout my life and throughout my entire life process. Since I was little, I knew I would dedicate myself to this and I have been so clear about it thanks to having it so close. I always say that my grandfather, my grandmother and my mother have left me the best possible legacy, that it is a profession that I am passionate about.

As a daughter who has decided to pursue a field so closely related to the family business, could you share any lessons or advice you have received that has shaped your approach to jewelry?

What I have learned working and being behind the counter since I was little is more valuable than any qualifications I may have. I have learned to understand the public, what the sacrifice of having my own business is, knowledge of jewelry and, above all, it has given me an imaginary that today continues to be part of my research and creation as a jeweler.

Being an entrepreneur and a mother presents a unique set of challenges and rewards. Could you share how you manage these two responsibilities and what learnings you have gained from each?

It seems very complex to me when I see it in other mothers and sometimes I forget that I'm in the same boat, strange. In my case, my life is a Tetris and a very tight schedule not only because of work and motherhood, but also because, since I got pregnant, I've been studying at university.

I don't know, I try to be very organized and even then things don't always work out for me, but without a doubt, for me to be able to do all this, my son's father is essential and together we make a team that makes it possible.

I have also had to reduce my workshop hours. Where I used to work between 8 and 12 hours a day, now I can't do more than 5 and the occasional afternoon a week.

Likewise, I feel fortunate to be able to do what I like and to have been able to be a mother.

We've seen on your Instagram that you sometimes bring your son to the workshop with you. How do you experience sharing those moments of creativity and work with him?

If I take Roman to the workshop it is a sign that we have no other choice, because every time he comes he upsets me and messes everything up and basically, I can't do anything with him.

Since he doesn't have a family or a network, when he gets sick or doesn't have school, I have to bring him to the workshop, but that's never a good idea. In fact, I'm trying to answer this interview with his little fingers typing all the time.

Sharing your workspace with your child is bound to bring about moments of mutual learning and discovery. Is there an anecdote you can share about a special moment?

Sometimes she puts on the bracelets and I find it very funny, but then she discovers the adhesive tape and thinks it is a much more interesting bracelet than the ones I make. But besides that, I think she likes my workshop partner's jewelry more than mine, because she always opens her display drawers and mixes them up and leaves mine intact.

From your experience, how do you see the role of mothers in the transmission of culture and art?

In general, the role of mothers is neither valued nor taken into account in any field. I breastfed my son until he was 18 months old and I couldn't understand how I had to breastfeed and go to work when he was only 4 months old. Even so, I am self-employed and I could take the child with me or go away to breastfeed him, but for those who have a paid job, I don't know how that can be done.

In general, being a mother seems like a challenge to me these days in many ways.

Finally, how are you going to celebrate this Mother's Day?

Well, it's funny, but still (3 days into my mother's life) I still think about my mother more than myself. I still haven't fully assimilated that this day is also my turn. I don't know, I guess they'll send me flowers, I'll kiss Romi a lot and I'll spend the day with him. Another day feeling grateful for having him in my life.

Do you already know how to tell your mother that you love her? Here are some ideas: