Art-craft
The Brazilian handicraft is one of the richest in the world
There are wonderful artists and craftsmen and crafts women located all over Brazil. However, you do not need to travel beyond the city limits of Rio de Janeiro to see their works. Several local craft stores sell art pieces by local and national artists.
Feira Hippie de Ipanema
One of the most famous places in Rio, the Hippie Fair in Ipanema brings together vendors from all over the country to sell their crafts. The fair is held every Sunday from 7am to 7pm. Items for sale include folk art, modern art, local crafts and handmade jewelry. There are about 700 stalls with art for sale. There are items for sale made of lace, ceramics, gourds and embroidery. Food stalls sell local dishes such as frigideira de bacalhau and cocada (codfish omelet and coconut candy). Do not leave the Fair before trying an Acarajé, which consists in a Croquette filled with spicy shrimp and other local ingredients. Hippie fair is also a good place to buy handmade Brazilian bikinis. To get to the Feira Hippie, take subway line 1 and get off at General Osorio Square Station.
Artesanato
Located in the Copacabana neighborhood this shop features local artists in a co-op atmosphere. Many of the art pieces for sale have been constructed by recycling trash. A good sense of humor goes well in this store, as many of the pieces are very fun and whimsical.
Brasil & Cia
This shop is on Rua Maria Quiteria in the Ipanema neighborhood. All the crafts are made with native materials including wood, ceramics and fiber. The staff specialized in helping international travelers select pieces of art to take home with them. This shop is open 10am to 7pm Monday through Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.
O Sol Artesanato Brasileiro
Located in Jardim Botanico this shop actually teaches the different crafting techniques. There are also plenty of local crafts for sale including hand towels, chessboards and rocking chairs. This store is part of the non-profit organization O SOL that works to encourage artisans around the country to make their wares. O SOL travels out and collects the pieces of art and sells them in the store.
Other Arts and Craft Galleries
Pé de Boi on Rua Ipiranga specializes in locally made lace and textiles. Emporio Tropical in Barra da Tijuca has a wonderful display of handmade rustic furniture. Velho Chico in Ipanema prefers selling items made of recycled materials. Artinidia, located at the Museu do Indio, is the best shop to buy art by native artists.
Brazil has a plethora of artists who all look to Rio de Janeiro to help them sell their works. There are many galleries and crafts shops throughout the city to visit.
Gilson Martins
Gilson Martins is a designer from Rio de Janeiro also known as “Purse’s Man”. Gilson represents the culture of the city with his revolutionary work that uses leftover materials to build new purses. He is inspired by the sights of the city as Christ the Redeemer, Lapa, Copacabana and Sugar Loaf. There are options for men and women as well as various types of products. There are two stores of the stylist in town, one in Ipanema and Copacabana.
