Shipping Policy

Handling time

Each order is packed by hand in my studio in Madison, Wisconsin. Most in‑stock pieces ship within 3 business days after payment is approved. Around shop updates or busier seasons, a lot of orders can arrive at once. In those cases, packing may take a little longer — please allow up to one week for your order to leave the studio. If I expect a meaningful delay beyond that, I’ll reach out by email.

Shipping methods

All orders currently ship from the United States. At checkout you’ll usually see two options for domestic orders:Standard (5–7 business days) – typically USPS Ground Advantage, USPS Priority Mail, or a similar ground service.Priority (2–3 business days) – typically USPS Priority Mail or an equivalent expedited service.For each shipment I will choose the specific carrier and service based on the piece, destination, and current rates, aiming for a good balance of reliability, speed, and cost.

Where I ship

Online orders currently ship to addresses within the United States only. I’m not able to offer international shipping through the online shop yet.

Shipping rates & estimates

The shipping estimate shown on each product page is based on how that specific piece will actually be packed: multiple layers of bubble wrap, an inner box where needed, an outer shipping box, and loose fill to cushion the remaining space. The packed weight and approximate box size place the piece into a tier for Standard and Priority shipping. Most pieces ship on their own for safety, so the estimate you see on a product page is usually very close to the final shipping cost at checkout for that piece. Larger or more fragile work may be treated as oversize, which adds a fixed handling surcharge that is already included in the estimate displayed on the product page. Any applicable sales tax is calculated separately at checkout based on your shipping address.

Local pickup

When local pickup is available, you’ll see a Local pickup option at checkout with a $0.00 shipping cost. Pickup is typically in Madison, Wisconsin. After your order is placed I’ll follow up by email with the exact pickup location and timing so we can find a window that works.

Packaging & breakage

Ceramics are fragile, so every order is packed with multiple layers of bubble wrap, sturdy boxes, and cushioning materials (such as paper or peanuts) to keep the piece from moving in transit. Larger or especially delicate work may be double‑boxed for extra protection. Even with careful packing, very occasional damage can still happen. If your order arrives damaged, please email photos of: – the outside of the box, – the packing materials, and – the damaged piece as soon as you can. This documentation helps me file a claim with the carrier and work with you on a replacement or refund where possible.

Returns related to shipping

Because each piece is handmade and unique, I’m generally not able to accept returns for change of mind or for small variations in size, shape, or glaze. These variations are part of the nature of studio pottery. If there is an issue with how your order arrived — for example damage in transit or the wrong item — please contact me and include photos and your order number. We’ll talk through options based on the situation, which may include a refund, repair, or replacement when possible.

Questions

If you have questions about shipping, timing, or whether multiple pieces can be combined in one parcel, feel free to reach out through the contact form before placing your order. I’m happy to help you choose the option that makes the most sense for your order.