Born in Sarnadas (Alte, Loulé), Aldegundes Gomes, now over 90, remains active and full of memories. She learned the esparto craft in the 1960s, balancing it with domestic life and running the family grocery store. She supplied esparto to customers and received handcrafted pieces in return, helping local families. Today, she is the most experienced artisan at the Esparto Grass Studio, located in the former Sarnadas elementary school, where she demonstrates how the once-forgotten plant is transformed into utilitarian and decorative pieces. With energy and humor, she states:
“Sometimes I work with esparto even to take a break from the housework… Thank God, I’m still doing it.”