Artisanal Ceramic Factory

Discover our story: four generations dedicated to ceramics, a legacy that began in a workshop in Málaga and a small ceramics factory in Granada. Join us on this journey where tradition and art intertwine to bring unique pieces to life.

Our history

We are the fourth generation dedicated to ceramics, the second in the same workshop. It all started with my great-grandfather and grandfather, who had a shop in a village near Granada, specializing in Granada ceramics due to its proximity. My father grew up surrounded by ceramics and, along with his team of artisans, wanted to bring them to homes worldwide through markets, thus bringing ceramics to people around the globe.

I also grew up immersed in the world of ceramics, artisans, and markets. Today, we continue my family’s legacy, maintaining our same artisans as always and sourcing from small workshops in Andalusia. We work to promote craftsmanship, especially ceramics, both in Spain and abroad. That’s why we’ve maintained our markets on the Costa del Sol and our beloved warehouse, as well as taking ceramics to other destinations outside of Spain. Our experience in ceramics has allowed us to accompany our customers through different processes, always with personalized attention, from the first contact, the selection of pieces, the creation of designs and colours, until the pieces reach your home or business.

The factory

It all begins with a passion for craftsmanship. Here, each piece comes to life through careful craftsmanship. From selecting the finest materials to the meticulous crafting process, each step reflects our commitment to quality and excellence. Join us on a journey through creativity and tradition, where every detail is a masterpiece in itself.

The Workshop

Once completed, our creations are distributed to our customers and taken to the markets of the vibrant Costa del Sol from our workshop located in San Pedro de Alcántara. It’s a journey from creativity to the hearts of our customers, where each piece finds its place in homes and spaces worldwide.

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Personalized consultation

At Cerámicas Ortiz, we understand that each client is unique. That’s why we offer personalized consultation tailored to each of our clients. With years of experience in guiding both retail and wholesale sales, we’re here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you reach out to us, we’ll guide and assist you through each stage. From shaping your ideas to selecting designs and colours, we’re committed to providing you with an exceptional experience.

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Unique pieces

Our unique pieces, each with its own story and character, are the perfect addition to your home. Our artisanal process and attention to detail ensure that each piece is truly special. Discover the uniqueness in every detail and add a touch of authenticity to your table with our pieces.

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Sustainability commitment

We are committed to sustainability at every step of our production process. From material selection to manufacturing practices, we consider the environmental and social impact of our actions. We use environmentally friendly techniques and materials, minimizing waste and promoting the conservation of natural resources.

FAQs

The potter’s wheel is an essential tool in the pottery and ceramics process, allowing potters to shape clay efficiently and precisely. It consists of a horizontal disk that spins on a vertical axis, controlled by the potter. To begin, the clay is properly prepared to be malleable and placed in the centre of the spinning disk. With skill, the potter centres the clay and then begins to shape it using their hands and tools. As the clay spins, it is formed into the desired design, whether it be a vase, a plate, or a cup. Finishing touches are made to smooth edges, remove imperfections, and add decorative details if necessary. The potter’s wheel has been used for centuries worldwide and remains a fundamental piece in ceramic production, allowing artisans to create unique works of art with precision and skill.
Ceramists are artisans specialized in creating ceramic objects using a variety of techniques, from hand moulding to wheel throwing. Their work involves manipulating clay to create unique or serialized pieces, which can then be decorated and fired in kilns to obtain the final product. In addition to making utilitarian pieces, some ceramists also engage in the creation of artwork and ceramic sculptures.
The manufacturing of ceramics is a process of craftsmanship. It begins with the preparation of clay, which is extracted from the earth and mixed with water to form a malleable paste. Then, this paste is moulded by hand or using a potter’s wheel to shape the desired pieces. Once moulded, the pieces are left to dry to remove moisture and then fired in a kiln at high temperatures, usually between 900°C and 1300°C, in a process called “firing” or “firing.” This process hardens the clay and turns it into solid ceramic. After firing, the pieces can be glazed and decorated according to the desired design. Finally, the finished pieces are cooled and ready for use or sale. This process varies depending on the type of ceramics and the techniques used, but generally involves a combination of craftsmanship and technology to create beautiful ceramic pieces.

To work with clay, several basic tools and materials are needed to facilitate the moulding and creation of ceramic pieces. Some of the essential elements include:

  • Clay: It is the main material used in ceramics. Clay comes in different types and colours, each with its own characteristics and qualities.
  • Potter’s wheel: It is a tool used to shape clay into spinning pieces. It allows the potter to create symmetrical and precise shapes by the controlled rotation of the clay.
  • Modelling tools: These include a variety of instruments such as spatulas, potter’s knives, cutting wires, and sponges, which are used to sculpt and shape the clay.
  • Rolling pin: It is used to roll out and smooth the clay to create uniform and flat sheets.
  • Finishing tools: Such as brushes, sponges, and swabs, are used to smooth and texture the surfaces of ceramic pieces.
  • Glazes and pigments: They are used to decorate and colour ceramic pieces once they have been fired. Glazes can be transparent or coloured and are applied before the final firing.
  • Ceramic kiln: It is necessary to fire ceramic pieces at high temperatures and harden the clay. Kilns can be electric, gas, or wood-fired, and can reach temperatures of up to 1300°C or more, depending on the type of clay and glaze used.
To ship our ceramics, we ensure to use high-quality boxes, lined with polystyrene inside for additional protection. Each ceramic piece is carefully wrapped in bubble wrap or craft paper, depending on the destination. Then, we strategically stack the boxes on a pallet, which is labelled with “fragile” stickers to ensure delicate handling during transportation. With these precautions, we ensure that our ceramics arrive at their destination in perfect condition.

Reviews

Kim Gray
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The shop had just closed and the lovely owners got out of their car and opened the shop for my mum and me because we forgot it was a bank holiday. While shopping quickly, we were stunned by such beautiful ceramics with various designs. They were incredibly sweet, friendly, and carefully wrapped my selections in bubble wrap for the plane ride. THANK YOU! I highly recommend this fourth generation family business. Buy local and support the artisanal artistic work of those in other regions of Spain. I will always return to this business on my trips to Spain.
Maria Gil de Santivañes
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Wonderful ceramics, congratulations on your work! My order turned out beautiful, 100% recommended!! How lucky that Spanish craftsmanship continues to be this way 🙂
Maria Sanchez
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Very good quality artisan ceramics. They have a lot of variety and it's all beautiful...! Karim and Escarlata are charming.
Jaime Fernández
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Quality ceramics, 100% recommended for home decoration and for gifts to friends and family. The boy is very knowledgeable and guides you whenever you need.
Magda Fors
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Beautiful handmade Andalusian ceramics at a good price. Fantastic owner working there! Thank you for the beautiful pieces, we will be back soon.
A M
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Lovely products and lovely owners. I have been buying ceramics at this store for a few years. The quality is exceptional and the designs are beautiful!
Ulrika Bergmark
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This is my favorite ceramic and I always buy some to take with me to Sweden when I visit my mother in Nueva Andalucía. The sad thing is that when you fly you can't take everything you want!
Yo Florista
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A very nice place with ceramics. There are many various of everything. I am very happy to be able to visit this site and make the purchase!!
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