I was born and raised in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, but also lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, and João Pessoa. As a mechanical engineer, and a master in Production Engineering, I was a professor at the Federal Universities of Espírito Santo and Paraíba, another Brazilian state. Later on, I worked for the Ministry of Education, and for the National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CNPq, in the Portuguese acronym). I live in Vitória since 1987, having worked for four years at the Espírito Santo Development Bank (Bandes) for the benefit of the state’s industry. I am now a partner at a production management systems company.

Married to Carol since 1970, I am the brother of four, the father of five and, so far, the grandfather of seven.  I have many friends. I wrote a book about the heart attack I had when I was 46, and started making spoons a few months afterwards. I must have made more than 4,500 pieces with bamboo of different species and origins. Hundreds of species were lost to woodworms. The game is to make unique pieces, useful or not, but different from each other.

I hollow out and scratch bamboo almost everyday, by myself or chatting with a friend, on the porch or walking by the sea. I always carry tools and bamboo with me when travelling or wandering. I do not mix money and spoons, but I love to make special spoons to those who deserve a loving touch, and ask me to make one for them.

When working on bamboo spoons, time is not a relevant variable. By principle and conviction.

Alvaro Abreu