how to care for handmade ceramics

A common myth around handmade ceramics is that they are often considered fragile or more delicate than machine made pottery. The truth is that they’re made using quality materials and are fired to the same temperatures and are therefore just as durable, if not more so, than ceramics made on a production scale.

It’s the unique marks of the maker that separate handmade pieces from the mass-produced and when taken well care of your handcrafted pieces can last through many years of everyday use.

Caring For Handmade Ceramics

• All ceramics are dishwasher, oven and microwave safe.

• Satin/Matte glazes are naturally porous and can develop a patina from absorbing colours from certain foods and drinks over time. Regularly cleaning your pieces in a dishwasher will help to keep this minimal if you prefer.

• Any food stains or cutlery marks can be gently scrubbed away with a simple paste made from baking soda and water, or with products such as Bar Keepers Friend.

• To reduce the risk of thermal shock which can cause cracking, take care to avoid sudden temperature changes. Allow cold dishes to come to room temperature before heating and vice versa.

• Over time some glazes may form fine micro cracks. This is known as crazing and is a characteristic of the glazes used. Crazing does not affect the durability of the piece.

• Please avoid placing ceramics over stove tops or open flames.

My work seeks to celebrate these imperfections inherent in both hand made wares and everyday life. By appreciating what others may consider flaws, it’s the tattered edges and uneven sides that lend my ceramics their distinctive character and singularity. Much like ourselves and what surrounds us, no two objects created are ever exactly alike and surfaces will vary over time. I encourage you to embrace these differences, this is the beauty of handmade.