Care and handling
Ceramics Care
All the ceramics I make are microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe, however hand washing your pots will extend their life, especially painted pieces (like the mushroom mugs), which can become worn down after a lot of washes in the dishwasher.
If you are using dishes in the oven, like a casserole, try to minimize thermal shock by either preheating your dish in the oven, or by filling with hot food before putting in the oven. Do not go directly from the fridge or the freezer into a pre-heated oven.
Stove top use is not recommended and will likely result in cracked pottery and tears.
I want all the ceramics I make to be used and enjoyed!
General care and handling of stained glass
Stained glass is a bit sturdier than it may appear, due to the solder and came that often holds it together, but that doesn’t mean it can’t break. When handling your glass, hold it firmly, and don’t allow it to twist (particularly important on larger pieces. Stained glass contains lead - in the solder, and in the came that is used as a frame to some pieces, like the one to the right. Lead is harmful if ingested, so please wash your hands after handling and hanging. Glass can be polished again if you wish, using windex, or a glass polish. See hanging guidance below
Hanging your stained glass
Glass in your windows or wall will bring light and joy to your living spaces. How you hang your piece is important. For anything larger than a sun catcher (see below), I would strongly discourage the use of suction cups on the glass, since they can fall. Instead, using eye hooks or mug hooks in the frame of your window is best. The chain that comes with my pieces is adjustable, and you can customize the length with pliers to make it fit your space perfectly.
Hanging Sun catchers
While I warn against it above, there is a place for suction hooks. As you can see, I have a lot of sun catchers (made by me, my dad, and my son) mounted and displayed in my home using them. I would warn to get heavy duty ones, and test them out close to the ground (or counter), that way if it won’t hold your piece won’t break. Even after you have gotten comfortable with a hook, you should plan to remove and reapply at least once a year.
Hanging on a wall
Some glass pieces may not work in a window in your house due to size, or frame or other reason. I have built into the collection pieces that are mostly opaque glass, that bring that same sense of light and delicacy, but don’t need a window. These pieces can be hung in your home the same way you would hang a picture.