Studio Balta makes everyday tableware from local red clay, glazed in colours taken from the Albanian coast and the hills around Dajti. Every piece is thrown, trimmed and fired in our own kiln.
Dinner plates, pasta bowls and side dishes in four standing glazes. Dishwasher safe and made to stack.
Small cups sized for a proper Albanian coffee or an espresso, with matching saucers.
Custom shapes and glazes for kitchens and coffee bars, made in batches of 40 to 300 pieces.
Large platters, salad bowls and oil jugs for the table, each one slightly different.
Unglazed terracotta pots with drainage and saucers, for balconies and courtyards.
Boxed pairs of cups or small bowls, wrapped in the studio and ready to give.
Evening classes for beginners run in small groups of five. Over four weeks you learn to centre, throw and trim, and you take home the pieces you glaze yourself.
Single taster sessions are held on Saturday mornings for visitors who want to try the wheel once. Aprons and tools are provided; wear clothes you do not mind getting muddy.
Studio Balta began in a shared courtyard workshop with one secondhand wheel and a borrowed kiln. Today two potters work full time in a former print shop near the Blloku district, with three wheels and an electric kiln.
We dig part of our clay from a family plot outside the city and blend it with commercial stoneware for strength. Glaze tests line every shelf; only a few make it into the standing range.
Yes. All glazes on tableware are lead free and fired to stoneware temperature. Decorative pieces are clearly marked.
Usually six to eight weeks, depending on size. We send a sample piece for approval before making the full batch.
We ship small parcels to neighbouring countries and the EU. Large café orders are delivered within Tirana and Durrës.
Children over ten are welcome at Saturday sessions with an adult. Evening courses are for adults only.
The shop corner is open on weekdays. Studio visits and order pickups outside these hours are by appointment.