You Are Brave

My name is Michelle Kistima-Menser. I design and screen print textiles with the beauty of nature as my inspiration. I then make practical textile goods for the home for my label YOU ARE BRAVE.

The YOU ARE BRAVE story is starts in Cape Town, South Africa in the 1970s.

I learnt to sew on my Great Aunty Mabel's Empisal sewing machine when I was a young girl back in Cape Town. She had a curtain making business that she ran from the home we shared with 9 other family members!!!

I remember sitting with her in the golden glow of the Empisal's light as she ran through the steps of threading the machine, safety, oiling and the different types of stitches. She was patient and kind and a truly spiritual being who was known and loved throughout the local community. She embodied Love and I adored her. She passed away in 1998 and I still have her sewing machine, and although I also have an industrial machine, I still prefer to use the Empisal ... and it still glows that beautiful warm light that reminds me of the very special relationship I have with my Aunty Mabel.

In fact it was something she said when I was young and going through a tough time that pushed me to take the leap and start my own business. At a time when I was confused and struggling to cope she consoled me and simply said "You can do it. You are brave." So I decided that if she thought I can do this, then maybe I REALLY CAN? I pushed on, knowing that I had her support and I DID get through it.

So when I was disillusioned recently with yet another day job that I'd put everything into and (yet again) that energy was, not reciprocated ... I seriously thought about starting my own business. It was scary but also exciting at the same time to think of the possibilities of being "my kind of creative" all the time. All I needed was a little nudge ... someone to say "You can do it" ... and after months of "umming & ahhing" I remembered my Aunty Mabel, her faith in me and what she'd said decades ago .... and I DID IT.

So YOU ARE BRAVE seemed the obvious name for my business and it will always be a reminder of my inner strength and perseverance when times become tough.

A little more about the YOU ARE BRAVE aesthetic ...

Growing up in Cape Town I was surrounded by a large family and loads of time spent in nature hiking, picking wild proteas on the family farm, camping in the mountains and sea side picnics. This is where my appreciation for the colour, shapes, pattern and textures found in nature comes from. I find Nature awe inspiring. My hope is that I bring something of my relationship with the natural world to what I make and share it with others.

My parents and I moved to Sydney, Australia in 1984 and although I still have a deep connection with Cape Town, I am now firmly based in Sydney's eclectic and ethnically diverse inner west where I have a little family of my own and YOU ARE BRAVE is part of a thriving creative community.

Thank you for stopping by.

This is one epic journey I've embarked on an d I'd love to share it and connect with you and your story.

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