Local clay
We use stoneware and terracotta bodies sourced from Spanish suppliers, chosen for durability and a natural, earthy palette after firing.
Elena Vargas
Elena grew up in a family that cooked slowly and set the table with care. She began throwing on the wheel at twenty-two, apprenticing with a Granada potter who worked almost exclusively in local red clay. Those early years taught her that restraint — in form, in glaze, in firing — often produces the most honest results.
After several years making production ware for restaurants along the Costa del Sol, Elena opened Casa Barro on Calle Compás in 2019. The name means "clay house" in Spanish, and the studio reflects that simplicity: one kiln, two wheels, shelves of work in progress, and a small shop at the front where visitors can buy directly.
Her pieces draw on Andalusian ceramic heritage without copying it. You will find the terracotta warmth of traditional cazuelas, but also cleaner lines suited to modern kitchens. Each batch is small — rarely more than thirty pieces — and glazes are mixed by hand in the back room.
The workshop today
Casa Barro occupies a ground-floor space in the historic centre, with tall windows that fill the room with southern light. Mornings are for throwing and trimming; afternoons for glazing and packing orders. On open days, Elena often works at the wheel while visitors browse — questions are always welcome.
We occasionally host short demonstrations for school groups and travel workshops. If you are organising a visit, write to us at [email protected].
