Caring for your handmade pottery is important to keep it in good shape for a long time. Here are some tips to help you take care of your pottery:
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Washing: Use mild dish soap and warm water to hand wash your pottery. Don't use rough scrubbers or strong cleaners as they can harm the surface. Gently clean the pottery with a soft sponge or cloth. Let it air dry or use a soft cloth to dry it.
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Avoid extreme temperatures: Pottery can break if it goes from very hot to very cold quickly. So, don't put a cold pottery piece straight into a hot oven or the other way around. It's better to change the temperature gradually.
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Food safety: If you want to use your pottery for eating or drinking, it needs to have a special shiny coat called overglaze. This helps seal the clay and glazes, making it safe for food. If your pottery doesn't have overglaze, it's not safe to use for food or drinks.
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Display and handling: Show off your pottery where everyone can see it! When you hold pottery, support it from the bottom instead of delicate parts like handles. This will help prevent accidents and breakage.
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Avoid sunlight: Putting pottery in direct sunlight for a long time can make the colors fade or change. If you display your pottery in a sunny spot, try moving it around sometimes to protect it from too much sun.
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Maintenance and repairs: If a handle or part of your pottery breaks, you can try to fix it at the studio using underglaze as a glue. It will need to be fired again in the kiln. Another option is to use superglue at home, but then it won't be safe for food anymore.
By following these tips, you can keep your handmade pottery looking beautiful and working well for a long time. Enjoy your special pottery and take good care of it!
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