FAQ

How do you price your pottery?

Each piece is more than just pottery—it’s a painting or sculpture you can use every day. Most of my works include hand-painted wildlife details or hand-sculpted elements, so you’re essentially getting an original artwork that also happens to be functional.

Here’s what goes into every piece:

  • It's an original and functional artwork. Every design is created by me, never mass-produced. I spend hours sketching designs, testing glaze palettes, and refining details and textures before the final piece comes together. I paint and carve every wildlife illustration by hand and individually shape every sculpted form.

  • It's made to last. All pieces are fired to at least cone 5, making the clay strong, food-safe, and durable for daily use.

  • It tells a story about wildlife and nature. Most pieces are drawn from my encounters with birds and wildlife. I try to reflect the most distinctive behaviors and features of each species on my pieces. Each piece comes with a photo tag I’ve taken of the species, along with a cool fact to share the wonder with you.

  • It takes time. From throwing and trimming to painting, glazing, firing, photographing, and carefully packing, each piece takes days—or even weeks—to finish.

Pricing reflects the time, skill, and care that go into making each piece of functional art. My goal is to offer you something meaningful, lasting, and alive with story.

Why do pieces of the same design vary in size, shape, or color?

Each piece is unique, wheel-thrown or hand-built, painted, sculpted, glazed, and kiln fired. Glazes can react differently in every firing. So there can be slight differences in size, shape, glaze texture, or color. Small marks and irregularities are part of the handmade process and add to each piece’s uniqueness. I’ve gradually learned to embrace these surprises and variations as part of the charm of handmade pottery.

Is your pottery dishwasher and microwave safe?

Yes! My functional pottery is fully-vitrified, mid- or high-fired stoneware and is made for durability and everyday use: food-safe, microwave-safe, and dishwasher-safe.

Like all ceramics, sudden temperature swings (like ice water into a hot mug or fridge-to-microwave) can cause cracks over time. Letting pieces reach room temperature before heating or chilling helps them last longer.

What are your sustainability practices?

I care deeply about the natural world that inspires my work, so I do my best to keep my pottery practice and packaging as low-impact as possible. 

I reuse clean, sturdy packaging materials whenever possible. I’ve been hoarding kraft paper like a squirrel with its nuts, so your mug is safely wrapped in my stash of foraged packaging.

I opt for recycled, recyclable or compostable materials, like recycled bubble wrap, kraft paper, cardboard, paper tape and biodegradable packing peanut.

I offer “seconds”, pieces with cosmetic flaws that are still functional and beautiful, for sale at discount prices. This helps reduce waste and gives these pieces a second chance at life.

I reclaim my clay, turning unfired clay back into workable material for new pieces—and try to be more selective about what I fire. If a piece is not up to standard, I let it go and reclaim it instead.

Thanks for supporting a more sustainable handmade practice!

Do you ship internationally?

At the moment, I only ship within the United States and Canada.
That said, I'm currently looking into shipping to other countries if there's enough interest. Feel free to reach out if you're located elsewhere. I'd love to know where you're visiting from!

What shipping method do you use?

All US orders currently ship via USPS or UPS, which includes tracking and usually arrives in 1–5 business days after shipping. Orders going to Canada might take longer and arrive between 5-10 business days.

How much is shipping?

I offer flat shipping rate of $10 for all U.S. orders | $20 for Canada orders and free shipping for orders above $150 USD.

When will my order ship?

Orders are packed and shipped within 5 business days of purchase. You’ll get a tracking email as soon as your order goes out.

Do you offer local delivery?

Yes! If you're nearby, the option for local delivery will become available at checkout for any order of minimum $50. Your order will be delivered contactlessly to your doorstep within 5 business days. I’ll message you the day of delivery to let you know it's on its way.

What if something arrives broken?

I pack each order with great care, but if something gets damaged during shipping, please email me within 3 days of delivery.
Send a photo of the damaged item and packaging so I can make it right.

Do you accept returns or exchanges?

Because my work is handmade and one-of-a-kind, I do not accept returns or exchanges unless the item arrives damaged (see above).

Do you take custom orders?

I’ve done a few in the past and poured a lot of time and care into getting them just right. But right now, I'm not taking custom orders. Thanks so much for understanding! I’ll announce if I reopen commissions in the future.

Where can I find your work in person?

I occasionally sell at local markets and art events. Follow along on Instagram @tuhandscreations to see where I’ll be next.