Can I put hand-painted pottery in the dishwasher?

We don't recommend it. The extreme temperatures in a dishwasher can crack the glaze, and over time dishwasher tablets have an abrasive effect that dulls the finish. Plenty of people have got away with it, but if you've made something special — especially anything with baby prints — hand washing will keep it looking new for far longer.

Is hand-painted pottery microwave safe?

No, we don't recommend microwaving hand-painted pottery. The clay body is porous and acts like a sponge, absorbing moisture that can heat up hotter than the contents of the mug or bowl. That can cause a nasty burn when you pick it up. Always heat your drink or food separately and then transfer it to the pottery.

Can hand-painted pottery be kept outside in the garden?

Pottery can be displayed outdoors, but hard frosts and severe cold can crack the glaze. Once moisture seeps in through cracked glaze, the piece weakens over time. We recommend bringing garden ornaments and graveside pieces indoors during the depths of winter, especially if hard frost is forecast.

Are hand-painted tealight holders safe to use with real candles?

Battery-operated tealights are the safest option. If using real flames, the whole piece can become hot, so be careful when touching or moving it, and protect any surfaces underneath. Keep burning candles away from children and pets, never leave them unattended, leave at least 10cm between candles, and never burn them near anything flammable.

CARING FOR YOUR POTTERY

Q: How should I store hand-painted Christmas baubles and ornaments?

Avoid storing ceramic decorations in lofts, sheds, or other unheated spaces. The temperature changes across the year can cause the glaze to craze — fine cracks across the surface. Wrap them in padding and keep them somewhere temperate. Plastic decorations are fine in the loft; ceramic ones need a kinder home.

Make it last forever.

You spent time creating it - here's how to keep it looking lovely. Five simple rules and the honest truth about pottery.

Pottery is more durable than you'd think, but it's not indestructible. A bit of care in the right places will get you years of use, or generations, if you're careful with the precious ones.

DON'T DISHWASH

Wash by hand.

The extreme temperatures can crack the glaze, dull the finish over time, and the abrasive tablets wear it down. Plenty of people have got away with it, but if you've made something special - especially anything with baby prints - hand wash will keep it looking new.

DON'T MICROWAVE

Heat the contents, not the pot.

The clay body is porous and acts like a sponge - it absorbs moisture and can heat up hotter than what's inside.

That's a nasty burn waiting to happen. Don't risk it, even just to warm a brew.

CHRISTMAS & FESTIVE

Keep baubles indoors year-round.

Sheds and lofts swing between hot and cold across the year, which can cause the glaze to "craze" - fine cracks across the surface. Plastic decorations are fine up there; keep ceramic ones wrapped somewhere temperate. And pack rounded pieces with plenty of padding.

GARDEN & OUTDOOR

Bring them in for winter.

Hard frosts and severe temperature drops can crack the glaze. The pottery underneath usually survives, but once moisture seeps in, the piece weakens over time.

Garden ornaments, graveside pieces - give them a winter break indoors if you can.

TEALIGHT HOLDERS

Battery tealights are your friend.

Battery-operated tealights look great and won't ever cause a problem. If you're using real flames, the whole piece can get hot — be careful when moving it, and protect the surface underneath. Keep candles away from children and pets, never leave them unattended, and never burn near anything flammable.

THE HONEST TRUTH

Some pottery seems indestructible. Some doesn't.

You'll hear stories of people dishwashing and microwaving with no problems. You'll have one mug that bounces off the floor and another that breaks coming out of the cupboard.

The advice above stacks the odds in your favour. But how careful you are depends on how much the piece means to you.

Tiny hand and footprints can't be made again twenty years from now. Treat those ones like the heirlooms they are.

A NOTE ON DEFECTS

Following the advice above will keep your pottery in great shape. We cover any defects with the glaze or pottery itself, reported within 28 days of you being notified your piece is ready to collect. Anything caused by wear and tear or improper use isn't covered, but that's where this page comes in.