Frequently asked questions

Are the pieces made by hand?

Yes, thrown one at a time in my workshop. From one piece to the next the differences show: a rim slightly higher, glaze pooling somewhere else. These are not flaws I put up with — they are what I am after.

Is each piece unique?

None has an exact twin, not even within a batch thrown the same day, from the same clay and under the same glaze. The hand leaves its mark on the wheel, and the kiln decides the rest.

Can I order a custom piece?

Yes. You tell me the shape, the dimensions, the use and how many pieces; I tell you what is possible, and I send a quote. That detour saves misunderstandings on both sides.

What are the lead times for an order?

Around three months once the quote is accepted. This is not administrative delay: throwing, trimming, drying, bisque firing, glazing, firing. Drying alone takes weeks, and it is not negotiable.

How are the firings done?

Firings are done mainly in an electric kiln, in an oxidation atmosphere.

Some pieces are fired with gas, in a reduction atmosphere, in a shared workshop. This process reduces the oxygen supply in the kiln: the flame then seeks oxygen from the oxides in the glazes and clay, which changes the colours and creates natural variations. The two fires give different, complementary palettes.

Are the pieces dishwasher safe?

Yes. The stoneware is fired to 1280 °C: it is made for daily use. Hand washing keeps the glaze closer to how it left the kiln — though a piece that shows some age does not bother me.

Are the pieces microwave safe?

Yes, unless I say otherwise about a piece. What to avoid is the abrupt change: taking a piece from the fridge straight to full power, or setting a scalding dish on a cold surface.

Are the pieces food safe?

Yes. The glazes I use are food safe, and high-temperature firing vitrifies them: a glazed surface holds neither smells nor stains. A coffee cup will not keep the taste of coffee.

Do you offer online sales?

No — and it is not an omission: I would rather each piece left after a conversation. You tell me what you are looking for, I tell you what is possible, and we start from there. Available pieces and commissions both go through the contact page.

How can I receive a piece?

In person if you are near Lille: it is the simplest, and it leaves time to talk about the pieces. Otherwise I pack them and send them by parcel. We settle that during the conversation.