Yes — every piece is made by hand in my studio in Palo Alto, CA. I work primarily in porcelain using wheel throwing, hand building, and slip casting. Each piece is individually trimmed, finished, and glazed by hand.

Because of this, slight variations in size, shape, glaze color, and surface texture are natural and expected — and part of what makes each piece unique. No two pieces will ever be exactly alike.

I work primarily in porcelain, unless a custom order specifies otherwise. Porcelain is my clay of choice because at cone 6 it becomes fully vitrified, meaning the clay body fuses into a dense, non-porous surface. This makes pieces more durable, hygienic, and resistant to absorbing liquids or odors compared to lower-fired clays. Glazes are also more vibrant and glass-like at cone 6, which is another reason I fire there.

If I work with another clay body, I make sure it has less than 1% absorption before using it for functional work — and ideally less than 0.5%. The only exception is purely decorative pieces not intended for food use. Food safety and durability are non-negotiable for me.

Porcelain costs more than many alternatives, and its brilliant white color makes glazes more vibrant and true to color. This is one of the reasons my prices may be higher than mass-produced or lower-fired pottery — you’re getting a material chosen for quality, not convenience.

All glazes I use are food safe — free of lead and cadmium. The glazes used on food-contact surfaces such as the interior of mugs and bowls are also chosen for durability.

Some decorative glazes used on exterior surfaces are food safe but not formulated for durability in high-contact areas, which is why they are only used where they won’t touch food, drink, or your mouth.

Seconds are pieces that are fully functional and food safe but didn’t come out exactly as I intended — perhaps the glaze shifted unexpectedly, the form warped slightly in the kiln, or the piece simply didn’t meet my personal standards. There is nothing wrong with them for everyday use.

Seconds are listed in their own product category and offered at a discount. They’re a great way to own handmade porcelain at a lower price point, and each one is still a unique, one-of-a-kind piece.

Yes, all of my pieces are dishwasher safe.

Yes, my pieces are microwave safe. The one exception is pieces with gold luster.

Hand wash only — do not use the dishwasher, as the gold may wear away over time.

You may use pottery in the oven at your own risk. The only pieces specifically intended for oven use are bakeware — muffin pans, cupcake pans, and ramekins. Pieces may crack if introduced to sudden changes in temperature.

Yes, this is completely normal. Glaze colors shift depending on your screen, lighting, and the natural variation of each firing. No two firings are identical, so color, depth, and texture can vary piece to piece.

Dimensions may also differ slightly — every piece is made by hand. Slip cast pieces are more consistent, and listings will note when a piece is slip cast. Most of my slip cast mugs and bowls are very light, but because I work in porcelain, they may not be perfectly round — a slight oval is normal, not a flaw.

What you receive will be very close to the photos. Small differences in tone, speckle, texture, or size are part of what makes each piece one of a kind. If your piece looks significantly different from what you expected, please reach out at or****@*********cs.com and we’ll talk through it.

I’ve been a functional ceramic artist for 10 years, and I work almost exclusively in porcelain — one of the most difficult and unforgiving clays to work with. That challenge is part of why prices are higher.

Porcelain is fired at cone 6, where glaze colors are more vibrant and true to color. At cone 10, the higher temperature causes many colors to burn out and go muted. The porcelain I use has less than 0.5% absorption, making it nearly watertight — and that’s a non-negotiable standard for me.

But isn’t the piece glazed? Doesn’t that seal it?

If a piece were fully glazed, yes — it would be watertight. But glaze becomes glass when fired, and that molten glass would fuse the piece permanently to the kiln shelf. So potters always leave the foot or rim unglazed to prevent that.

Those bare areas are porous. In a dishwasher, water is forced into the clay under heat, and with only a small unglazed surface area to escape from, that moisture gets trapped — and can eventually turn moldy. This is exactly why I’m so particular about using clay with near-zero absorption. It’s not just a material preference — it’s a quality standard.

Orders are typically processed and shipped within a few business days. I’m a one-person studio, so occasionally there may be a short delay — I’ll always communicate if that’s the case.

Once shipped, delivery time depends on your location and the carrier (USPS or UPS). You’ll receive a tracking number as soon as your order is on its way.

Contact me within 48 hours of delivery at or****@*********cs.com with photos. I will replace the piece or issue a full refund.

For full details, please see my Return & Refund Policy.

All sales are final with two exceptions:

Damaged or incorrect item — If your order arrives damaged or is materially different from its description, contact me within 48 hours of delivery at or****@*********cs.com with photos. I will issue a full refund or replacement and cover return shipping.

Exchanges — Accepted within 14 days of delivery. Item must be unused and in original condition. Buyer covers shipping both ways.

Custom, made-to-order, and sale items are final sale with no exceptions.

For full details, please see my Return & Refund Policy.

Yes. Email or****@*********cs.com and we’ll arrange a date and time for pickup in Palo Alto, CA.

I also sell in person at local markets — sign up for the newsletter to find out where I’ll be next.

Yes. Custom orders follow a two-stage process.

To inquire about a custom order, email or****@*********cs.com.