Production and Sustainability
An artisanal production with purpose and commitment to sustainability
Production and Sustainability
An artisanal production with purpose and commitment to sustainability
At Reshape Ceramics, we believe the only way to reduce recidivism is by empowering people who have been incarcerated. The therapeutic powers of ceramics, coupled with employment and individual support, ease the difficulties of transitioning to freedom.
Our production is artisanal and small-scale and is divided between two locations: a workshop inside the Caxias Prison and a studio in Lisbon.
We don't hire people to make ceramics. We make ceramics to hire people.
OUR PRODUCTION PROCESS
We mix our stoneware. We use fine white stoneware mixed with water. This clay is made from carefully selected, prepared, and mixed raw materials.
Stoneware is a type of high-temperature ceramic that was developed before porcelain and is more opaque and durable.
The clay is poured into the plaster molds for our pieces. Depending on the desired thickness of the final piece, we wait for the clay around the mold to solidify and then pour the remaining clay around it.
Then we paint and let the piece dry.
The piece is removed from the mold and left to dry for a few days so that the clay becomes "hard as leather." Then, we trim the excess clay and paint from the edges and smooth out any rough edges.
The already trimmed and smoothed pieces go to the
biscuit burning.
Now that our pieces are in what we call a "biscuit," we begin to glaze them. The glaze we use is domestically produced and needs to be thoroughly mixed and filtered to ensure it adheres to the pieces! Our pieces are dipped in the glaze, and then the feet are cleaned.
After the enamel is dry, the pieces go to the final firing.
Once the piece has been glazed and is cool, we sand the feet and any irregularities. This process ensures our pieces are smooth and won't damage any surface they come into contact with.
The piece then undergoes quality control and is stored until it meets its new family!
Our production process
1. RAW MATERIALS AND RECIPES
We mix our stoneware. We use fine white stoneware mixed with water. This clay is made from carefully selected, prepared, and mixed raw materials.
Stoneware is a type of high-temperature ceramic that was developed before porcelain and is more opaque and durable.
2. MOLDS AND FORMING
The clay is poured into the plaster molds for our pieces. Depending on the desired thickness of the final piece, we wait for the clay around the mold to solidify and then pour the remaining clay around it.
Then we paint and let the piece dry.
3. DRYING AND BURNING OF BISCUITS
The piece is removed from the mold and left to dry for a few days so that the clay becomes "hard as leather." Then, we trim the excess clay and paint from the edges and smooth out any rough edges.
The already trimmed and smoothed pieces go to the
biscuit burning.
4. ENAMEL AND FINAL FIRING
Now that our pieces are in what we call a "biscuit," we begin to glaze them. The glaze we use is domestically produced and needs to be thoroughly mixed and filtered to ensure it adheres to the pieces! Our pieces are dipped in the glaze, and then the feet are cleaned.
After the enamel is dry, the pieces go to the final firing.
5. QUALITY CONTROL
Once the piece has been glazed and is cool, we sand the feet and any irregularities. This process ensures our pieces are smooth and won't damage any surface they come into contact with.
The piece then undergoes quality control and is stored until it meets its new family!
Our artisans spend hours creating beautiful, timeless pieces.
In each piece, there is a story of overcoming and an immense effort for a better life.
In return, we only ask that you enjoy ceramics for a long time and believe in second chances.
Our commitment to sustainability
Along with Reshape Ceramics' values of empathy, responsibility, and empowerment, we are deeply concerned about our carbon footprint.
We believe in carbon neutrality, creative recycling, reduced consumption, and the circular economy.
In all our activities, we adopt internal policies to minimize our negative environmental impact as much as possible.
We recycle stoneware lost during the molding process to produce new pieces. Discover the Do-Zero X Reshape collection.
All waste that cannot be recycled into new products is recycled according to its material (e.g. by being sent to the construction industry).
We always try to recycle products that do not meet our quality control standards (e.g., candle partnership with Nidore Studio).
We always try to source second-hand equipment and furniture, prioritizing a circular economy.
We do informal carbon offsetting by planting trees in Portugal.
All ceramics that do not meet our quality control standards and are not broken are sold, donated or recycled.