Who am I

Hi, I’m Dominique — the hands behind Barro Vivo.

Barro Vivo is a small ceramic studio near Porto, Portugal, creating handmade ceramics in small batches.

It was born in a small annex next to my home, where I create pieces inspired by slow living, nature, and the beauty of imperfect things made by hand.

Every piece begins with a simple lump of clay and is shaped, textured, and glazed individually in my studio.

Some pieces are handbuilt, while others are created using slipcasting, allowing me to explore different forms while still finishing each piece by hand.

I love experimenting with surfaces, textures, and glazes, letting the kiln transform the work and reveal unexpected details.

For me, clay is not about perfection.
It’s about the process — slowing down, working with your hands, and letting something unique emerge from a simple lump of earth.

No two pieces are exactly the same.
Small variations, marks of the process, and the movement of the glaze are part of what make handmade ceramics special.

Barro Vivo means “living clay.”
For me, it reflects the idea that clay is never static — it changes in the hands of the maker, in the heat of the kiln, and in the everyday moments when a piece becomes part of someone’s home.

Each piece you find here is made slowly, by hand, by me, in my studio — and I hope it brings a little everyday beauty and joy to your home.