la chamba ceramics la chamba, tolima colombia. background la chamba, tolima colombia
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LA CHAMBA CERAMICS
LA CHAMBA, TOLIMA
COLOMBIA
BACKGROUND
LA CHAMBA, TOLIMA
COLOMBIA
BACKGROUND
Territorial Extension: Geographically, La Chamba belongs to El Guamo municipality which has an extension of 561 km2.
Localization: La Chamba is located 84 km from Ibague, capital city of Tolima department.
Weather Aspects: La Chamba is located 350 M over see level and has a temperature of 28 C all year long.
Hydrograph: Midtown La Chamba is 10 minutes away from Magdalena River
Population: 1800 inhabitants, distributed in 312 families for an average of 6 people per family.
Handcraft Tradition: 90 % of the population lives from the black and red ceramic production.
BACKGROUND
Main Road
Tipical Houses
BACKGROUND
Magdalena River
Production Tools
Clay Extraction
PRODUCTION PROCESS
LA CHAMBA, TOLIMA
COLOMBIA
CLAY PREPARATION
• Clay mixture is made out of sandy clay and fine clay. These clays are mixed with water and must include the right proportions. If for example the mixture as too much sandy clay the piece will break in the kiln and with little sandy clay the piece will become too fragile.
PRODUCT SHAPING
• Clay mixture must be properly kneaded and piece is formed by hand as needed. In some cases there are matrixes that permit you to mold specific shapes.
ENGOBE
• Once the product has been shaped engobe is applied in 100% of the surface. This engobe permits the piece to be shined once it has dried.
SHINE
• This process is done once the piece is almost dried with agatha stone. This process gives the piece a special shine very characteristic of the final product.
SUN DRIED
• After the products have been shined and are dried. The pieces are placed under the sun, so they warm up before introducing them in metal cans, otherwise they will crack when put into the kiln.
WOOD PREPARATION AND START OF FIRING PROCESS
• The traditional kiln works with wood (ATA has designed a special gas kiln – see picture in the next page, increasing production capacity, final quality of products and decreasing risk of burns when manipulating). Firing temperature is not higher than 800°C – low fire. Temperature must be even around the metal cans. Firing time is around 1 ½ hours.
New kiln designed by Aid to Artisans
SMOKE PROCESS
• After 2 hours of firing, the metal cans are taken off the kiln and are opened and special material is added to generate smoke that will turn the ceramics black.
AHUMADO
• The special material burning procedure generates a fire that when it is extinguished by covering tha cans the smoke turns the pottery black. This smoke must circulate in the can for 10 minutes before it is uncovered.
FINAL PRODUCT
• When the cans are uncovered and the smoke dissipates the finished pieces can be removed from the can and are cleaned up.
PACKING
• After quality control, all the products are packed in order to dispatch to local and international market.
MOLDS
LA CHAMBA, TOLIMA
COLOMBIA
Tray with lid9,5 in x 4,75 in H
Larger bowls and tureens with lid8 in diam. x 8,5 in H
Mold for soup bowls and tureens with lid6,25 in diam. x 6,5 in H
Plate / Tray 12 in x 2,5 in H
Oval serving dish14,5 in x 11,5in x 2,5 in H
MOLDS
KILN BENEFITS
LA CHAMBA, TOLIMA
COLOMBIA
KILN BENEFITSAFTER
1. During rainy season in the region, the artisans can do the firing process 24 hours a day.
2. The production capacity is 400 cans per month
3. The income has increased 25% per year
4. The quality is uniform and the broken index is each time less
5. The firing and haumado process is safe and good for the health of the artisans
6. FOB sales for USD $250,000.
BEFORE1. During rainy reason in the
region, the firing process could be stopped for 2 -3 months.
2. The production capacity was 132 cans per months.
3. The income was stable but didn't increased because they were working at full capacity
4. The quality wasn't uniform and the broken index was very high.
5. The firing and haumado process is not good for the health of the artisans.
6. FOB sales for USD $125,000.