According to Andre, most of the final processes can be only done by Margarida. There are details that only her eyes with her other senses can see and make judgement. Every each pieces of her work come out differently and they have to be checked one by one and approved by Margarida. 

FEP - How and when did you start as a ceramic artist?
Margarida - After completing a degree in product design from the Lisbon Academy of Fine Arts (2008), I had two things on my mind: designing beautiful products for everyday use, and fulfilling a desire to work with my hands. So I decided to try the ceramic as a material and a craft, after an brief introduction to this craft in Portugal I went abroad has an apprentice with two different professional ceramicists.。


-I heard you learnt ceramic making in Denmark and Holland. What do you think was the most important thing you learnt there?
- After I finished my studies, I looked for ways to refine my skills and applied for an internship with a Danish master Ninna Gøtzsche. During a four-month period, I worked as an apprentice with Gøtzsche in her studio. Later I moved to Amsterdam for another working experience in another ceramic studio.

The most important I learnt in these work experiences was the opportunity to see how it works a ceramic studio in the XXI century and the opportunity to learn different techniques and approaches to clients.


- Which process in ceramic making do you enjoy the most?
-I've chosen porcelain as the main material to make my production, because of its brightness and durability.
I like both techniques that I usually use on my studio: wheel-throwing and slip cast.















- What is the character of your pieces?
-I've decided, by following my background, to produce functional objects. It doesn't mean that there's no creativity on my workshop. But the true is that I've spent more creative time on finding ways to increase the production rather then spending time on find concepts and ideas to make singular pieces of art. 

- What is your inspiration for design?
-Simplicity and functionality.


- Which piece is most popular item?
Fauna and Flora collection, once you can find swallows used has a pattern on some pieces. The swallow is bird used has a icon in many traditional Portuguese crafts. 
















- Why did you choose to work in Lisbon?
-I was born in Lisbon, I love my city, some people call it "the village of the world", and I do like a "village"  kind of life.


- Your partner, Andre. What is his role in “MF ceramics”?
-André, my husband is a professional sailor, working has a sail trainer for some periods. But before he turned into his sailing life, he actually had studies in arts and crafts. So the time he spends on land, is by my side has more than an assistant for MARGARIDA FABRICA.

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-What is your favourite Portuguese dish?
-Asparagus soup from Alentejo. But never forget the codfish on the oven, the more famous Portuguese dish. ​


​​- What do you like about Portugal?
-I like the multiculturalism, fruit of a story of traders and centuries of explorers. It's a small country where you can find from north to south many different types of landscapes and climates, I can feel like traveling to very far away without leaving my country. 

Margarida Fabrica

 Ceramic Artist / Lisbon lover / Partner collaboration

Here is for her ceramic products.

I think these subtle but yet beautiful colours reflects Margarida herself. She is a very kind and beautiful person, and a dedicated artist.
Her life partner, Andre, is a sailing skipper but also works at the Margarida Fabrica. 

He started helping Margarida when her work needs a strong man power but he now makes his own ceramic pieces and owns a brand called 'The Potters Husband'

They work in a small studio in Lisbon where the river Tejo runs nearby.
From the window, you can over look the Lisbon houses on a hill side.

People who loves Lisbon often says that the city has a miracle light which reflects from the river Tejo. 

Margarida was born and grew up in Lisbon and she says the light is precious for her work too.

Especially the natural light in the morning is the best and she uses it to study her pieces.

She loves this special city so much and there are so many wonderful places within.

I asked her if any other place outside of Lisbon could be her next studio but her answer was a firm 'no'.

It made me think that there are things she can create only in this city, a very special village.