When is your next restock?
why is handmade so expensive?
Handmade art is as unique as the maker. Each piece will be different - please make sure to carefully read each description for the correct sizes, markings, colors, etc. I try my best to carefully measure and describe each piece, and to accurately display the colors - but lighting and phone and computer displays can sometimes distort colors slightly.
Handmade pottery (especially one-of-a-kind pieces) is a very time consuming process.... this is also where pottery teaches you the most about life. At any one of these stages the piece could have an unrecoverable failure - you have to learn to roll with it, and not get too attached to inanimate objects. :)
step 1 - Making: the actual wheel throwing or handbuilding of a pottery item is often the quickest part of the make.
step 2 - Trimming and Design: this step may involve various stages and depending on the complexity of the piece, this can take a few hours to a few days or even weeks.
step 3 - Drying: this is usually my longest stage - trying to ensure each element is drying at the same rate. I've had a very detailed carved and embellished tray that spent 8 weeks in this stage!
step 4 - Firing #1: this is the bisque firing stage - like the pieces you'd find at a paint your own pottery place - and takes a couple days for the kiln to get to temp, fire, and cool.
step 5 - Glazing: this often involves multiple layers and combinations with drying time between each layer, and can include wax resist, detail painting, transfers, and the like
step 6 - Firing #2: The final step! This is where the glaze is turned to a glass-finish on the piece and completes the vitrification process and takes a couple days again to get to temp, fire, and cool. Waiting on a glaze kiln to cool is excrutiating for a maker!!
Depending on how much time I can spend in the studio or if I am also dealing with equipment repairs, or supply chain issues, even a small mug could take 4-8 hours over 4-6 weeks from start to finish! (Currently, I create in a community studio, using their kiln, which can sometimes add to longer than desired lead times, especially during the summer months when they host kids camps and the kiln is not available to me.)
Handmade pottery (especially one-of-a-kind pieces) is a very time consuming process.... this is also where pottery teaches you the most about life. At any one of these stages the piece could have an unrecoverable failure - you have to learn to roll with it, and not get too attached to inanimate objects. :)
step 1 - Making: the actual wheel throwing or handbuilding of a pottery item is often the quickest part of the make.
step 2 - Trimming and Design: this step may involve various stages and depending on the complexity of the piece, this can take a few hours to a few days or even weeks.
step 3 - Drying: this is usually my longest stage - trying to ensure each element is drying at the same rate. I've had a very detailed carved and embellished tray that spent 8 weeks in this stage!
step 4 - Firing #1: this is the bisque firing stage - like the pieces you'd find at a paint your own pottery place - and takes a couple days for the kiln to get to temp, fire, and cool.
step 5 - Glazing: this often involves multiple layers and combinations with drying time between each layer, and can include wax resist, detail painting, transfers, and the like
step 6 - Firing #2: The final step! This is where the glaze is turned to a glass-finish on the piece and completes the vitrification process and takes a couple days again to get to temp, fire, and cool. Waiting on a glaze kiln to cool is excrutiating for a maker!!
Depending on how much time I can spend in the studio or if I am also dealing with equipment repairs, or supply chain issues, even a small mug could take 4-8 hours over 4-6 weeks from start to finish! (Currently, I create in a community studio, using their kiln, which can sometimes add to longer than desired lead times, especially during the summer months when they host kids camps and the kiln is not available to me.)
how to care for my pottery items
I primarily use commercially available food-safe glazes. Although most items are technically dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe - careful handwashing is always best, and please don't go straight from a cold to a hot (or vice versa) environment. Some decorative items (vases, flower pots, etc) I may elect to use a non-food-safe glaze. If this is the case, it will be noted on the item.
what if my items breaks
Pottery is breakable. Please see the CARE FAQ to help reduce this risk. KerriPainterArt is not responsible for any damage or breakage following sale and delivery. Handmade items are often fragile in nature - please always handle with care. As a rule, I do not accept returns, offer refunds or replacements for broken pieces. An exception would be if I were to inadvertently break and item between order and shipping - I will offer a refund, or do my best to recreate your item (just know it may not be available until the next restock). I strongly suggest that you add postage insurance in the event that an item arrives broken (this is a rare instance) so you will have some recourse for refunding your purchase.
DO YOU TEACH?
Not much any more. Along with a friend, I used to own a mobile paint party business, now I will occasionally agree to host workshops for small groups for friends, churches, etc. for mixed media or painting projects. I have not taught any ceramics classes... but I would love to host a handbuilding Christmas ornament workshop some day when I get my own kiln. In case you didn't know, they cost roughly the same as my first car!!
Wholesale, licensing, Commissions and custom orders...
Since many of my designs are one-of-a-kind, licensing and wholesaling isn't really practical. I will consider custom commission requests, but please note that there could be a significate lead time for delivery (10-20 weeks) and command a much higher price than normal and payment is required up front. If you are interested in a commission, please contact me. You may find some "made-to-order" options in my shop, that I will happily recreate.
