Themed glass terrariums with axé motifs from a home workshop

The idea

A terrarium is a miniature garden built inside glass, often called a "planet in a glass". Edu Santana and Will Souza, founders of Estúdio Terrário, sell theirs with a twist: terrariums themed around axé, a cultural universe with Afro-Brazilian roots. Customers are not just buying a plant. They are buying a handmade, symbolic object to give or display.

According to the business, the idea started when Souza was selling online courses, one of them about terrariums. Santana bought it, learned the process and made his neighbours his first customers. The couple had just moved from Florianópolis to São Paulo and needed an income. The business reports about R$ 100,000 (roughly $18,000) in revenue after its work went viral with the singer Anitta; no further detail on the period was given.

Who it fits

This suits one person or a couple with patience and a feel for small, detailed handwork. You need a table, good light and a corner for supplies, so a spare room works. It runs well beside a job, because pieces are made in batches and sold by order. You can learn the technique from an online course, as Santana did. The same model works anywhere with a strong local culture to illustrate: carnival, folk art, football or regional landscapes.

Costs and revenue

The following are editorial estimates, not figures from the business. Expect roughly $150–800 to start: glass containers, drainage gravel, charcoal, substrate, moss, small plants, miniature figures, tweezers and long spoons, plus packaging and a phone for photos.

Price by size and detail. Typically a small piece might sell for $15–60, and a custom commission for more. Selling 20–40 pieces a month would give around $300–1,500 in revenue before materials and fees. A viral moment can lift that sharply, but it should not be your plan.

Risks and pitfalls

• Cultural respect: axé themes carry religious and cultural meaning. Research the symbols, work with people from the culture and avoid caricature.
• Fragile goods: glass breaks in transit. Use thick padding, test-ship to yourself and offer local pickup.
• Living plants: closed terrariums can rot or grow mould. Choose suitable plants, balance moisture and include simple care instructions.
• Attention-driven demand: one viral post is luck. Build repeat sales with gifts, events, workshops and custom orders.
• Time per piece: detailed work is slow. Track hours so the price pays for your time.