Questions
Frequently asked
Ordering, shipping, care, and how custom work goes. Don’t see yours? Ask directly.
Ordering & the shop
Are pieces one of a kind?+
Nearly everything is one of one — the piece photographed is the piece that ships. When a form is repeatable (like mugs or crocks) the listing says so, and even then glaze and dimensions vary a little from piece to piece.
When do you restock? Can you reserve a piece for me?+
Work is made in batches and announced when it's ready — the best way to hear first is the newsletter or Instagram. Pieces are first-come at checkout and inventory isn't held until payment completes.
Shipping & returns
Where do you ship? Is local pickup possible?+
US addresses at checkout — shipping is calculated from the packed size and weight of your piece and shown before you pay. Madison-area pickup can sometimes be arranged; get in touch before ordering.
How long will my order take to arrive?+
Standard shipping is 5–7 business days and priority is 2–3 business days after the piece leaves the studio. You'll get tracking when it ships.
What if my piece arrives damaged?+
Every piece is packed by hand with plenty of padding, but ceramics and mail carriers sometimes disagree. If something arrives damaged, email photos of the piece and the packaging and we'll make it right.
Custom work & commissions
What's your lead time? How long will it take? How early should I reach out about an order?+
Ceramics can take a while from beginning to end. Please allow at least 4 weeks for creating your custom piece(s), after our design conversation. If you need something faster, please ask and I will let you know if it is possible.
I would like a set of pieces, like a set of dinner plates — can you do that?+
Absolutely! Let me know how many you need.
What does custom work cost?+
It's quoted per piece after we talk through what you want — size, complexity, and how many. Custom work generally runs above comparable shop pieces because of the added design time. Share a rough budget in your request and I'll tell you honestly what's realistic.
Can you make something unusual you haven't made before?+
Maybe! The ceramic guitars started as an unusual request. Tell me what you're imagining — if it's outside what I can do well, I'll say so rather than take your money and disappoint you.
Care & materials
Are your pieces dishwasher and microwave safe?+
Hand washing is recommended for handmade stoneware — it keeps glazes looking their best for years. Functional ware is generally fine in the microwave unless the listing says otherwise. Pieces meant only for display are noted in their description.
Are your glazes food safe?+
Functional ware — mugs, plates, crocks — is glazed with food-safe materials. Decorative and sculptural pieces are labeled as such in their descriptions.
The studio
Where are you located? Can I visit the studio?+
b.stro ceramics is in Madison, Wisconsin. There's no regular open studio, but you can find me at local markets — upcoming dates are listed on the About page.