FAQ
Custom orders
Do you take custom orders?
Not yet. Custom orders are coming soon.Yes. Tell us what you have in mind on our Custom Orders page.
The pieces
Are your pieces food safe?
It depends on the piece, which is why food safety is listed in every piece’s details. If a piece is made for food or drink, its page says so; decorative pieces are for display.
Are the ornaments painted, or glazed? Will the color last?
Glazed and kiln-fired. The color is glass, fused to the clay in the firing, so it won’t peel, flake or fade the way painted ornaments can.
Shipping and returns
Where do you ship?
Within the contiguous US only: not to Alaska or Hawaii, US territories, overseas military (APO/FPO) addresses, or internationally. An order to one of those addresses is canceled and refunded in full. Shipping is a flat $9.99, and free on orders of $79 or more. See our shipping policy for details.
When will my order arrive?
Each piece is made to order, so allow 7–14 business days for making, plus shipping time. We’ll email you a tracking number when your order ships.
Can you ship a gift directly to the recipient?
Yes. Enter their address at checkout. We never include prices or an invoice in the package; your receipt stays in your email.
Can I return a piece?
No. Every piece is handmade, so all sales are final. The exceptions: if your piece arrives broken, faulty or not what you ordered, we’ll replace it or refund you, and you can cancel within 24 hours of ordering. Email customerservice@sampleglaze.com within 7 days of delivery, and we’ll get back to you within 1–2 business days. See our returns policy.
The maker and the material
Do you make every piece yourself?
Yes. Every piece is formed, glazed and fired by one pair of hands in a small Seattle studio. Nothing is outsourced or mass-produced.
How long does one piece take to make?
7–14 business days: forming, slow drying, a first (bisque) firing, glazing, and a second firing. Most of that time is waiting; clay can’t be rushed.
Why does handmade pottery cost what it does?
Each piece is handled dozens of times across its 7–14 business days of making: forming, trimming, drying, two kiln firings, glazing and finishing, plus clay, glaze and kiln costs. The price is mostly time.
How long will a handmade piece last?
Decades. High-fired stoneware used daily and treated gently will outlast most factory ceramics; hand-washing keeps the glaze at its best longest.