José María works with esparto grass, by a wholly artisanal process. He harvests the esparto himself in the hills, tying it in bundles to make it easier to carry. In the summer and up to October is when it is at its best. He then… dries it in either the sun or the shade for some 20 days. Before it is worked into a braid or plait, the esparto should be soaked in water for 10 hours to make it more malleable and workable, and to prevent it from splitting as it is handled.

Once a strip of esparto has been braided, it is cut to a length to suit the object to be made. The strips are then stitched to make up the desired width using sisal or pita yarn, with a steel needle. To make an object 1 metre wide, for example, 13 strips are needed, requiring 12 seams.

The design process is also important. The customer orders pieces with certain dimensions and characteristics, which need to be sketched out with pen and paper, and trim must also be provided for. Almost anything can be done with esparto grass, but one must know the limits of the material in order to have an idea from the outset of how the object is to be made.

José María works on large tables, braiding the esparto and stitching it with sisal yarn and steel needles, using masking tape to prevent cut pieces from unravelling, screw or spring clamps, steel scissors, measuring tape and other utensils.