Thank you for bringing home a piece of Thunder Hoof Pottery! Every piece is handmade by Suzanne in her Pineville, Louisiana studio, so no two are exactly alike — each one has its own little quirks. That’s part of what makes it yours.
A few simple tips to keep your pottery beautiful for years to come:
– Hand washing is best. Your stoneware is microwave and dishwasher safe, but washing it by hand keeps the glaze and details looking their best the longest.
– Be gentle with temperature changes. Let a hot piece cool a bit before running it under cold water, and don’t take a cold piece straight into a hot oven. Sudden hot-to-cold or cold-to-hot shocks can crack pottery.
– Skip the broiler and open flame. Stoneware loves the microwave and the oven, but it isn’t made for direct flame or the broiler.
– For stuck-on food, a warm soak with a little dish soap does the trick. For stubborn stains like coffee or tea, a paste of baking soda and water works wonders.
– If it chips, don’t worry — a gentle rub with fine sandpaper will smooth the edge so it stays pleasant to hold.
– Stack with care. A soft cloth or paper towel between stacked bowls and plates keeps them scratch-free.
With a little love, your handmade stoneware will last a lifetime — and get better with every meal, coffee, and gathering it shares with you.