A Women’s Day interview series with mothers who create.
Maria Matsouka – founder of Actina Jewelry
Who are you?
I am Maria Matsouka, an architect who transitioned into jewelry design and making, seeking a more hands-on and personal form of creativity.
Based in the Old Town of Nicosia, my studio is a calm and focused environment where ideas take shape and each piece is crafted slowly and intentionally.
Through my brand, Actina Jewelry, I work with silver and gold to create timeless pieces that reflect Mediterranean simplicity, thoughtful design, and a deep respect for sustainability and slow living.
Alongside my collections, I host silver jewelry workshops, welcoming people into my studio to experience the process and create their own unique piece by hand.
How did motherhood actually change you? not the beautiful Instagram version – the real one. What has been the hardest shift in your identity?
I think the most challenging part was learning to exist in the in-between: being
deeply present as a mother while still wanting to create, build my brand, and express myself through my work.
There are moments of guilt, moments of doubt, and moments where I feel I am not fully enough in either role.
But motherhood also forced me to slow down in a more honest way.
It softened me, strengthened me, and made me more intentional – not only as a mother, but as a woman and as a creator.
What did you say or believe about motherhood before becoming a mother that feels naïve now?
Before becoming a mother, I thought I could smoothly balance being present with my child while continuing to build my business with the same rhythm and energy as before.
What I didn’t understand was how deeply motherhood would shift my
identity – how much mental space it occupies, how instinctive and consuming it can be.
It humbled me. It made me softer, but also stronger.
And it taught me that balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly – it’s about redefining what truly matters in each season.
Do you truly find time for yourself? What does self-care realistically look like in
your life right now?
No, not in the way I used to. I’ve learned that self-care in this period is setting
boundaries, accepting that I can’t do everything at once, and allowing myself to move slower without guilt.
Motherhood can be loud, overwhelming and chaotic. How do you cope when
everything feels like too much? What helps you regulate yourself in those
moments?
There are definitely moments when it all feels like too much – the noise, the needs, the responsibilities.
I’ve learned I can’t control the chaos, but I can regulate myself within it. Sometimes that means stepping away for a minute, taking deep breaths, or lowering my expectations.
Creating with my hands also helps — even a few minutes at my bench can reset me.
In my opinion coping isn’t about being perfectly calm; it’s about being human and
choosing to respond with awareness instead of pressure.
Follow Maria’s work here