São Paulo – It is among seeds of the babassu, tucumã, inajá, açaí, jarina and patawa palms, all typical of northern Brazil, that businessman Marcos Sousa works alongside his wife, Janete Schmidt. They run Mosaicos Inajá, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, where they produce and sell costume jewellery made from mosaics that include seeds and wood, mainly demolition debris. The ecologically correct rings, necklaces and earrings signed by the couple are sold throughout the country. And also to Germany, the United States, England, Italy and Portugal.
Sousa explained that it all began after a season in Rondônia, where the couple moved to invest in production of jewellery, initially made out of wood and stones. With the discovery of seeds and the possibility of working with mosaics, came the idea of the new business, currently headquartered in the state of Minas Gerais. “We returned to Minas in 2004, but to date we use the raw material we brought from the North,” he said. “In this respect, we take the greatest care in collection of the seeds at the right time, not to cause damage to the plants,” he explained.
Some of the Mosaicos Inajá products may be gold or silver plated, if that is the desire of buyers. But the articles most sold are the more rustic ones. “Many people work with seeds. Our differential is the mosaics,” he said. “Clients like the effect, of this more handcrafted style.”
According to the entrepreneur, it was these characteristics that attracted buyers. In Brazil, sales are mainly to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Abroad, new markets are welcome, including the Arab market. “We are greatly interested in sending our products to these countries, we just don’t have any contact in the region yet,” she said.
Abroad, one of the last actions aimed at promotion of seed mosaics was the shipment of items to Bisutex fair, of jewellery and accessories, in Madrid, Spain, in February. “We take care to take baskets with our seeds to exhibit at events we participate in,” said Sousa. “Also to explain to buyers how production is developed and to show the material we use.”
Among all the seeds, inajá, the seed that grants the company its name, is the favourite seed for the entrepreneurs. “I like the bright colour, the golden tone it has,” explained the executive, who also shares the production work with his father-in-law and his son.
Contact
Mosaicos Inajá
Telephone: (+55 31) 3467-6198
E-mail: mosaicosinaja@yahoo.com.br
Site: www.clicfolio.com/mosaicosinaja
*Translated by Mark Ament
