It’s called The Toca and describes itself as a “well-being space for creativity”. Located near Carcavelos train station, it’s all about ceramics — but also houses a children's bookshop. More than anything, it aims to be a space where different generations can come together, offering a much-needed “detox” from screens and social media.
The project is the brainchild of British expat Kate Faizova, who has been living in Portugal for several years, and Daniela Mertens, of Portuguese and German descent. The two met in a ceramics class at La Poterie studio in Cascais and eventually joined forces to open a shared atelier.
Opened on June 8th, The Toca takes its name from the octopus — featured in its logo and inspired by Kate’s love for Octopus’s Garden, the Beatles classic. The ceramic-making process here is refreshingly simple. You can shape clay by hand in workshops, usually held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (€50), led by Daniela. Soon, they'll also introduce the potter’s wheel for those keen to explore a different technique.
“The beauty of working with clay is that it allows you to explore your creativity — it helps to simplify things”, says Daniela. “Our workshops last two and a half hours, with no distractions, no phones — just pure enjoyment. You can listen to music, chat, or sit in silence, whatever feels right. We want this to be a sensory experience, rooted in touch and nature, especially in a time when we’re so connected to technology. And there’s no pressure to create a masterpiece — what really matters is the process”.
Alternatively, you can try your hand at painting ready-made ceramics. Just pick from a selection of pre-crafted pieces — whether it’s a mug, a bowl, a storage jar, or a decorative object — and for the price of the item, you’ll have unlimited access to all the materials needed to personalise it. Once finished, the piece goes into the kiln, a process that can take anywhere from one to three weeks depending on demand. After that, it’s ready to be picked up and taken home.
They also host evening ceramic painting events after regular hours, exclusively for adult groups. “These can include wine or chocolate pairings — we’re open to different formats”, says Kate, who adds that a studio membership for regular visitors will soon be available.
“We also wanted to have a children’s bookshop”, she continues. “Since Brexit, it’s become harder to order English books to Portugal. Plus, it gives kids something to do when they’ve had enough of ceramics, or while their parents are busy painting”. The shop stocks around 2,000 titles, all in English, most of them second-hand.
The space was once home to Infante & Farinha, a long-standing shoe shop. Now, the first room houses the painting studio and children's bookshop, while the second is dedicated to ceramics, where clay is shaped and fired in the kiln. This area also opens onto a spacious patio, perfect for hosting events.
Avenida Maria da Conceição, 2, Carcavelos. Tue-Sat 11.00-20.00. 910 249 787