A house in Vila Madalena attracts attention because of the curious sign on its façade: “handmade pinocchios and clowns for sale”. The words give you a taste of what lies behind the colorful walls of the house, which is home to one of the most magical places for lovers of Disney and handmade art. It’s Gil Toledo’s Pinocchio Shop, a real find in São Paulo.
Better known as Gepetto Paulistano or just “Gilpetto”, Gilberto has been making handmade dolls for over 30 years. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he found his true passion in carpentry, where he creates works of art in the form of clowns, puppets and Pinocchios. Discover this magical place in SP, which will delight children and adults alike!
Meet the cute “Gilpetto” Pinocchio Shop!
In 1988, engineer Gil Toledo decided to venture into a more playful world than that of his upbringing. So he rented a shed and began his work as a craftsman, creating his first wooden puppet. This Pinocchio had clothes made for him by an aunt who was a seamstress, and this kick-started a production that hasn’t stopped since.
Since then, Gepetto Paulistano has made hundreds of dolls, as well as carts and puppets. He produces them all by hand, from cutting the wood to painting and varnishing the pieces. As a result, no doll is the same as another, each one bringing unique details and “Gilpetto’s” authorial touch.
According to the craftsman, the great durability of wooden toys makes them almost eternal, standing firm and strong for generations. The pioneering Pinocchio from the 1980s, for example, became Gil’s favorite and is still with him today, “watching over” the creations of his brothers in the studio.
How to find out?
Loja de Pinóquios is located at Rua Pascoal Vita, 208G, in Vila Madalena. You can find out more about Gil Toledo’s work on his Instagram profile, where he posts photos of his work. To find out the prices, you can also contact him by Whatsapp on (11) 95869-9146.