FAQ
Questions about handmade pottery
Everything people ask before and after buying a handmade ceramic mug. If your question isn't here, the studio inbox is genuinely read by a person.
Materials & safety
- Are handmade ceramic mugs microwave safe?
- Yes. Our stoneware mugs are made with food-safe glazes and no metallic decoration, so they are suitable for microwave use. Like any ceramic piece, the mug may become hot along with your drink, so handle it with care.
- Are your mugs dishwasher safe?
- Our glazed mugs are dishwasher safe on a normal cycle. Hand washing is gentler and can help preserve the surface over years of use.
- Is handmade pottery food safe?
- Our mugs are made from mature stoneware and finished with glazes selected for functional food-contact surfaces. Decorative techniques or specialty finishes, when present, are kept away from food-contact areas.
- What is the difference between ceramic and stoneware?
- Stoneware is a type of ceramic made from a clay body formulated to mature at higher temperatures than earthenware. When properly fired, the clay becomes dense and durable, making it well suited to everyday tableware.
Choosing a mug
- What size coffee mug should I buy?
- 8 oz for espresso drinks, 10–12 oz for pour-over and drip, 14–16 oz for big morning coffee or a large latte. Listed capacity is measured to the rim, so usable volume is about 10–15% less.
- Will my mug look exactly like the photograph?
- Made-to-order pieces will follow the same general form, size, and glaze palette. Glaze pattern, speckling, and color depth vary naturally between firings, especially with layered or reactive glazes.
- Can I order a matching set?
- Yes, but choose a satin or speckled glaze rather than a reactive one if close matching matters. Email the studio and we'll pull pieces from the same firing.
Orders, shipping & care
- How long does shipping take?
- Orders ship within 3–5 business days, wrapped in kraft paper inside a protective box. Allow a week ahead of a dated occasion.
- What if my mug arrives damaged?
- Send a photograph within seven days and we will replace it or refund you in full. Ceramics travel well but not perfectly.
- How should I care for a handmade mug?
- Wash normally, avoid extreme thermal shock such as boiling water into a freezer-cold mug, and store mugs upright or hanging rather than stacked rim to rim. Coffee staining lifts with baking soda.
- My mug has fine lines in the glaze — is it broken?
- A fine network of lines in the glaze is called crazing. It occurs when the glaze and clay body expand at different rates. Some decorative crackle glazes are formulated to create this effect, but contact us if new lines appear in a functional mug and you are unsure about continued use.
Still curious? Read the journal or write to the studio.
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