Pottery Care

Care for Dinnerware, Kitchenware and Homeware

All of the ceramic stoneware pieces are made to be used every day. They are made to be durable, using 100% lead-free, food-safe glazes and materials, meaning they are safe for food to be in contact with them. However a few good care practices are recommended to help maintain the longevity of your handmade ceramics.

Cleaning Care

All of the pottery is made carefully by hand, and I recommend washing them by hand too, although they are dishwasher safe. However, regular dishwasher use can dull glazes and make chips and cracks more likely to happen, so I advise against this.

When washing by hand, please use a soft brush and gentle dish soap and avoid abrasive scrubbers, so as to not scratch or dull the glaze on the pottery.

Temperature Care

Please avoid putting the pottery through rapid temperature changes. While the pottery is capable of handling both hot and cold temperatures, thermal shock can cause the pottery to crack or break, and therefore reduce the life of your handmade piece.

To avoid thermal shock, I recommend slowly transitioning your pottery from one temperature to the next. For example, swirling some warm water in your mug before filling with boiling water.

I also do not recommend putting the pottery in the microwave, as the temperature control can be unpredictable. 

Water Care

All clay bodies have different rates of absorption, which is the amount of liquid a fired piece of pottery could absorb if left in contact with water for a long period of time. 

While every care has been taken to create a piece of pottery that doesn't absorb liquid, this cannot be guaranteed due to slight variants in clay ingredients, firing temperatures, and glaze-clay fit.

I recommend using a coaster under any piece that will contain liquid for extended periods of time for this reason.

Care for Raku 

Raku is unlike ceramic stoneware, in that it is highly porous and not food-safe or watertight. The glazing and finish of these pieces are delicate, and their care differs from the ceramic stoneware instructions above. These pieces have endured an intense creation process, and are much more fragile than the other pieces of pottery I make. They are not recommended to be functional but purely decorative.

Water Care

They should not be put in direct contact with water, as this can eventually lead to cracking and even deterioration of the piece. It is recommended that you use the pieces for ornamental purposes or dry arrangements only. 

Sunlight Care

Direct exposure to sunlight (especially strong UV light) can cause the finish and delicate patina to fade, reducing intensity of crackling and causing the colors to go from vibrant and complex to dull and lusterless.

 

General care for all pottery

Please dust with a soft cloth.

Just like any object, with regular use wear and tear is likely. All handmade pottery requires good care in order to extend the functional life of each piece. By following these care instructions, along with using good judgement for pottery care, you will enjoy these handmade pieces for years.