Talavera making is a long and laborious process undertaken by skillful dexterious Mexican artisans:
- The first step is to obtain the appropriate clay to be transformed into a desired form.
- Once the clay is obtained, it is grinned and placed in containers, or piletas, to be soaked in water. It is left here for several days until it acquires the appropiate consistency to be kneaded by hand or feet.
- After the clay has been kneaded, a lump of clay is rolled and cut into blocks soon to be glazed tiles. The clay blocks are left in closed dark rooms for drying for a few days.
- After the tiles have been in the dark for some days, they are taken out to dry under the sunlight.
- Then tiles and other ceramic pieces are fired in wood and/or gas kilns that will form them as bisque or jaguete.
- Now, the tiles bisques are ready for glazing.
- Tiles bisques are dipped into a chalky liquid glaze, which gives them their unique shine and color.
- All our talavera pottery and mexican tiles are freehand painted, consequently, no two pieces will be the same. The beauty of talavera lies on its individuality.
- An understanding of the used mineral color complexities is essential, as the colors of the raw glazes used are different from the colors that are finally produced.
- Finally, the pieces are fired again, at a temperature of approximately 1000°C. Brilliance and final coloration are determined by the temperature and kiln time.