Born in the parish of Boliqueime, Maria Alberto Martins learned to make a contract and baracinha, as a child, with her mother.
She was in sewing – an activity to which she dedicated herself for more than 20 years, while she was emigrated to France, having even worked for large haute couture houses.
Back in Portugal, she joined Casa da Empreita to keep her cousin – Almerinda Miguel – company and considers that she found in the contract a purpose and a way to combat loneliness.
“Bia” (as she is affectionately called) is a master of the baracinha (a kind of skein), has magical hands, and a good sense of humor that would make many young people envious.