Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 8 (Newstrail) – In Brazil’s vibrant craft scene, a surprising material is taking center stage: colored sandpaper. Once confined to industrial sanding and repair work, this textured medium has become a favorite among local artisans, driving a new wave of creative expression in the country’s booming arts and crafts market, which is projected to grow from $10.8 billion in 2025 to $18.5 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 7.3%.
At Rio’s iconic Feira de São Cristovão, one of Brazil’s largest craft fairs, stalls showcasing colored sandpaper artworks attract steady crowds. “Visitors love the unique texture and bold hues that colored sandpaper brings to our pieces,” said Maria Silva, a São Paulo-based artisan who specializes in handcrafted home decor. Silva’s collection, featuring tropical landscapes made with layered red, blue, and yellow sandpaper, has seen sales jump 35% in the past six months. “It’s versatile—we use it for collages, relief sculptures, and even to add texture to wooden handicrafts. It’s especially popular for souvenirs that capture Brazil’s vibrant culture.”
The rise of colored sandpaper aligns with two key trends in Brazil’s craft market: a focus on sustainable materials and growing demand for unique, handcrafted items. Many suppliers now offer eco-friendly colored sandpaper made with water-based dyes and recyclable substrates, catering to the increasing number of artisans and consumers prioritizing sustainability. “Eco-consciousness is no longer a niche concern; it’s a mainstream expectation,” noted Carlos Mendes, a distributor of craft materials in São Paulo. “Our line of recyclable colored sandpaper has seen a 40% year-on-year increase in orders, mostly from small-scale artisans supported by SEBRAE, Brazil’s small business support service.”
Artists are also embracing colored sandpaper for its ability to create striking textural contrasts, a hallmark of Brazilian folk art known for its vivid colors and tactile qualities. In Pernambuco’s Feira de Caruaru, a 200-year-old traditional craft fair, artisans are using fine-grit colored sandpaper to add intricate details to clay figurines and woven baskets. Even contemporary artists are incorporating the material into their work—echoing the experimental spirit of Brazilian art movements like Poema/Processo, which emphasized innovative use of everyday materials.
The popularity of colored sandpaper is also being fueled by the growth of online craft marketplaces like Mercado Livre and Amazon Handmade, which have expanded artisans’ reach beyond local fairs to global audiences. “International buyers are drawn to the uniqueness of sandpaper art—they’ve never seen anything like it,” said Silva. “It’s helping us put Brazilian craft on the world map.”
With Brazil’s craft tourism sector also on the rise, colored sandpaper workshops have become a popular activity in tourist hubs like Salvador and Florianópolis. “These workshops let visitors engage with our craft traditions while creating their own pieces,” said a representative from the Brazilian Craft Association. As Brazil’s arts and crafts market continues to evolve, colored sandpaper is proving that even the most unexpected materials can become a canvas for cultural expression.
