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Wagner and Cassia
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Born in Piaui, Wagner inherited from his father the passion and skills for the artisan profession. By the time he was 12 years old he was already assisting his dad in the weaving of baskets and mats from buriti palm and carnauba or Brazilian (palm) wax.
When he was 15 years old he moved with his family to Ponte Alta do Tocantins in central Brazil, home to Jalapão state park where Wagner discovered the beauty and the potential of capim dourado or golden grass. Jalapão is…
Wagner and Cassia
Born in Piaui, Wagner inherited from his father the passion and skills for the artisan profession. By the time he was 12 years old he was already assisting his dad in the weaving of baskets and mats from buriti palm and carnauba or Brazilian (palm) wax.
When he was 15 years old he moved with his family to Ponte Alta do Tocantins in central Brazil, home to Jalapão state park where Wagner discovered the beauty and the potential of capim dourado or golden grass. Jalapão is renowned for its natural beauty which includes waterfalls, valleys and an incredible flora and fauna.
Capim dorado (golden grass) is today the main source of income for many artisans in the region of Jalapão. Buriti palm, another natural treasure, is used to prepare the golden grass by extracting the silken thread used in the sewing (as artisans call the process) of the grass, as well as other materials such as golden threads, natural gemstones, and a variety of natural fibers and seeds.
Golden grass and buriti palm can only be found in the veredas or humid fields which tend to be waterlogged during the rainy season, and less so during drought periods.
The protection of this biome is of extreme importance for artisans, as their livelihood depends on capim dorado, their prime material. Sales of golden grass are responsible for up to 40% of the area's economy. Its harvest dates back to the days of the Mumbuca, a slave community in Bahia.
The crafting of capim dorado is an art form that has been passed down from parents to their children. Now Wagner and Cassia's four children work with them in the crafting of golden grass jewelry. Their son Douglas focuses on sales.
Not only have Wagner and Cassia taught their own children; they also teach young people in their community, and they take their creations with them to sell when they go to specialized artisan fairs.
Products (55)
Gold Plated Agate and Citrine Charm Bracelet from Brazil 'Clover Leaves'
Agate Clover Pendant with Golden Grass Cord Necklace 'Balance Found'
Brazilian Golden Grass Necklace with Gold Plated Accents 'Jalapo Minimalism'
Gold-Accented Natural Fiber Double-Sided Pendant Necklace 'Twice the Glam'
Golden Grass Sling with Faux Leather Strap and Golden Zipper 'Golden Dame'
Sparkling Golden Grass Cocktail Ring Crafted by Hand 'Jalapo Evolution'
Fair Trade Crystal Accented Golden Grass Dangle Earrings 'Crystal Spheres'
Handcrafted Golden Grass and Gold Plated Drop Earrings 'Swaying Sunflower'
Heart Leaf Beehive Charms on Gold Plated Brazilian Bracelet 'Natural Friend'
Artisan Crafted Clef Note Earrings in Brazilian Golden Grass 'Jalapo Melody'
Hand Crafted Green Agate and Golden Grass Link Bracelet 'All Aglow in Green'
Brazilian Handcrafted Golden Grass and Brown Agate Wristband 'Palace'
Blue Golden Grass Wristband Bracelet with 18k Gold Accents 'Indigo Braids'
18k Gold-Accented Golden Grass Wristband Bracelet in Black 'Black Braids'
Handcrafted Golden Grass Jewelry Set 'Eyes of Tocantins'
Hand Crafted Brazilian Tiger Eye and Golden Grass Earrings 'Goldenrod'
18k Gold-Accented Golden Grass Wristband Bracelet in Green 'Green Braids'
Hand Crafted Brazilian Golden Grass and Tiger's Eye Earrings 'Warmth'
Golden Grass Earrings with 18k Gold and Rhinestones 'Sparkle and Spin'
18k Gold-Accented Golden Grass Pendant Necklace in Blue 'Indigo Braids'
Brazilian Golden Grass and Rhinestone Curlicue Earrings 'Golden Curls'
Golden Grass Natural Fiber Bolo Necklace 'Natural Gold'
Fair Trade Golden Grass Hand Crafted Cocktail Ring 'Sublime Nature'
Gold Accent Golden Grass Earrings with Rhinestones 'Whirlaway'
18k Gold-Plated Button Earrings Made from Golden Grass 'Golden Spirit'
Hand Crafted Golden Grass and Agate Link Bracelet 'All Aglow'
18k Gold Plated Golden Grass Dangle Earrings from Guatemala 'Coiled Gleam'
Golden Grass and 18K Gold Plated Bracelet from Brazil 'Delicate Spheres'
Gold Accent Golden Grass and Quartz Dangle Earrings 'Golden Spirals'
Gold Accent Golden Grass and Sunstone Earrings from Brazil 'Fruits of Nature'
Golden Grass Dangle Earrings 'Jalapao Beauty'
Gold Accented Golden Grass Wristband Bracelet in Black 'Gold and Black'
Brazilian Golden Grass Dangle Earrings with 18k Gold Plate 'Glamorous Curves'
Gold Accented Golden Grass Wristband Bracelet in Burgundy 'Gold and Burgundy'
Golden Grass Dangle Earrings with 18k Gold Accents 'Golden Snails'
18k Gold-Accented Golden Grass Pendant Necklace in Orange 'Orange Braids'
Handcrafted Golden Grass Bangle Bracelets Set of 3 'Natural Aura'
Golden Grass Bracelet with 18k Gold Clasp 'Infinite Braid in Currant'
Gold Plated Golden Grass Earrings with Black Glass Beads 'Winding Journey in Black'
Brazilian Golden Grass Dangle Earrings with 18k Gold 'Amazon Leaf'
Artisan Crafted Wristband Bracelet from Brazil 'Jalapao Rope'
18k Gold Accented Golden Grass Link Bracelet from Brazil 'Golden Rings'
Green Quartz Clover Pendant with Golden Grass Cord Necklace 'Fortune Found'
Golden Grass and Rhinestone Star Ornaments Set of 4 'Golden Stars'
Golden Grass Necklace with Green Quartz 'Whole Heart'
Golden Grass Statement Necklace with Adjustable Cord 'Winding Path'
Golden Grass Dangle Earrings with Rhinestones from Brazil 'Golden Twists'
Gold Accent Golden Grass Sun Disk Clip-On Earrings 'Sun Disk'
Artisan Crafted Jewelry Natural Golden Grass Earrings 'Jalapo Nights'
Pair of Handcrafted Golden Grass Bangle Bracelets 'Jalapo Equilibrium'
Brazilian Golden Grass and Rhinestone Button Earrings 'Bright Halo'
Gold Plated Brazilian Golden Grass and Rhinestone Earrings 'Sparkle and Swirl'
Necklace and Earrings Set Handmade from Golden Grass 'Golden Evenings'
Artisan Crafted Rhinestone and Golden Grass Dangle Earrings 'Intertwined Circles'
Golden Grass and Clear Quartz Link Bracelet 'Grassland'
