Care Guide
Living with handmade ceramics
Handmade stoneware needs less protection than people assume.
Daily use
Made for daily use. Ask the studio about a specific glaze before using a piece for food or drink, or in a dishwasher or microwave.
Washing
Hand washing with warm water and dish soap is kindest; most chips come from knocks against other dishes. Avoid scouring powders and steel wool. A paste of baking soda and water lifts tea stains gently.
Heat, cold, and thermal shock
Sudden temperature change is the one real enemy of any ceramic. Do not pour boiling water into an ice-cold cup or move a piece from the refrigerator to a hot oven. Not for stovetop or open flame, and never microwave a piece with a visible metallic surface.
Crackle glazes
Crackle glazes carry a deliberate net of fine lines. Over years, tea and coffee slowly darken them — in the Japanese tradition, the piece recording its life with you. To keep them light, rinse soon after use.
The unglazed foot
The unglazed ring underneath is where the piece stood in the kiln. It arrives smoothed, but bare stoneware is harder than most wood finishes: use a cloth or coaster on precious surfaces.