As well as making ceramics to order, Alicia Guerrero performs meticulous ceramic restorations.

Her work process starts with the design of an article. She then applies the best-suited technique, normally one of the following:

– Cuerda seca (dry cord):originating from al-Andalus, this technique involves separating differently coloured… enamels with hand-painted “cords”. Cuerda seca enamels are prepared by mixing colour oxides with white and transparent glaze. Water is added and the mix is filtered to facilitate application, done with an applicator bulb. The edges and underside of the glazed piece are then cleaned.

– Oxide colours sobre cubierta: decorative application of oxides or pigments over the glaze before firing, in a technique widely used in ceramics as of the 14th century. The process starts with the article being dipped in glaze. Once the edges and underside have been cleaned, the item is ready to be decorated. Colour pigments will have been prepared previously, with flux and water being added in the required proportions. The ceramist now deploys her skill so as to put each brushstroke in its place, as ceramic work allows for no corrections.

Finally, in both techniques, the process is completed with firing. The articles are placed in the kiln in refractory compartments and fired for seven hours, up to 980ºC. They must be cooled slowly, to keep them from splitting or cracking. Firing at 980ºC ensures quality, durability and strength in all objects made.