Pots, crockery, accessories... ceramic pieces that keep a family history of 37 years, dedicated to the work of molding the imagination, taking thousands of forms until they are works of art in themselves. The Ceramics Workshop, Terracotta Alfareros, has been an example of patience and teamwork since 1988.
The creation of each of its pieces is the result of an extensive process, only carried out thanks to the cooperation of all its workers. Their work is a combination of modern and traditional techniques, they take advantage of the benefits of machinery without relying on it fundamentally, and each member of the team performs a detailed and fundamental work at each step.
It all starts with the raw material, which must go through cleaning before being used with vibrations until impurities are removed. Then, a "churro" is formed, an elongated cylinder of moldable dough or a liquid mixture known as slip. Both should be left at rest for several months for best results.
Once the wait is over, the pieces are shaped. Those that are flat are made in presses quickly, however, parts with volume require molds to acquire depth. These are designed to be separated into several pieces and because of this.
The pieces wait in the air until they can retain their new shape, then manually scrape off the reliefs and polish them with a sponge to give a uniform surface. Following this the pieces are baked for 7 or 8 hours, where the temperature gradually increases to 1050° C, and then reduces in the same way.
As a last step, the pieces are enamelled, waited to dry and then decorated. Following the majolica technique, two members of the team paint by hand with great care, using vibrant colors on a white background. Once the painting is finished, they are put into the oven for the last time and are finally ready for sale.
Many of his pieces are transported to Magical Towns, in the case of Querétaro to Tequisquiapan and Bernal, even his orders have become international, reaching countries such as the United States.
Each of them is the perfect example of hard work, which is unfortunately eclipsed by large companies that make mass productions, causing the loss of profits for small and medium-sized companies, haggling and the devaluation of artisanal work.
Currently the workshop has its doors open for tourists who want to know this laborious process in depth. They receive visitors during the week, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and if their artwork captivates you, bring one to adorn your home.
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Travel back in time and learn about the history of Querétaro. Hop on one of the Stagecoaches and tour some of the most emblematic places in the city, enjoy a ride that will make you feel like you are in another era.
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