Frequently Asked Questions 

Ordering & Shipping

What is your return policy?

I take pride in packing pottery very, very well, so it arrives in good shape. It is highly unlikely to be damaged in transit, but if it is, please contact me. I will usually ask you to repack it as you received it and ship it back for a refund or exchange. If a piece is damaged in normal use, I can’t take responsibility for that. I try to be fair, and I hope you will do the same.

How secure is my information when I make a purchase?

Payments run through Stripe, which is integrated with Squarespace, my website platform. Stripe is secure and trustworthy; Squarespace has far too much at stake to use an inferior payment processor. I would not compromise your security or the integrity of this business with an insecure payment structure.

Using & Caring for the Pottery

Is the pottery safe to use with food?

Yes. The clays and glazes used on any of my food-containing pottery are safe for food. There is no lead in the glazes. All glazes have been tested for durability, and no glaze ingredients will leach into food or drink.

Do you ever use non-food-safe glazes?

Never on food vessels, or on anything remotely resembling a food vessel.

Can I put the pottery in the oven?

Yes, with care. Start with a cool pottery vessel and put it into a cool oven, so the pottery and the oven warm up together.

Can I use it on the stovetop?

No. Never use pottery on the stovetop. The rapid, uneven heating will almost certainly crack or break it, and breakage can cause you injury.

What is thermal shock?

It’s what happens when clay and glaze expand rapidly and unevenly in sudden heat. A piece taken straight from the refrigerator into a hot oven may break outright, or develop hairline cracks that cause it to break later during ordinary use. Let pottery come to room temperature first and put it into a cool oven to start.

Where do your glazes come from?

I’ve gathered glaze recipes over years of reading books, articles and online pottery sources, and from my own experimentation with basic ingredients. I keep a stock of ingredients on hand and mix glazes from scratch in six-gallon batches. Occasionally I use a dash of commercial glaze as an accent. Every glaze on functional ware is food safe.

About the Studio

How many potters do you employ? Who is “we”?

“We” is the Royal We. It’s just Mimi, making the pots and following through on everything except carrying the 50-lb boxes of clay into the studio. Sometimes she does that too. Occasionally someone is hired to mix a bucket or two of glaze.

I have a question that isn’t answered here.

Please email me at mimi@mimistadlerpottery.com. I answer promptly.