Frequently Asked Questions

Here you'll find answers to many of the questions that have received over the years about our coasters, stoneware kitchenware and other things.

Coaster Questions

1. What is a China Paint Decal? A China paint decal is a thin layer of paper that burns away during a kiln firing leaving only the china paint remaining. China paint is a frit pigment that is quite permanent. If your dishes have a design on it, that is probably a china paint decal.
   
2. How do I clean my coasters? To clean them, simply spray them with a bleach and water solution or soak in some bleach water for 20 minutes or so. Most all stains will come off. When soaking, the cork may get a little lighter over time, but it doesn't affect the wear-ability of the coaster. Our coasters will last for years.
3. Are they durable? In the 11 years we have been selling them, we have had some breakage, mostly when we are selling at a show set up in the street. At home you generally have carpeting, but I suppose if you dropped one on ceramic tile or cement, yes, it could break, but not easily.
4. They are made of a blend of clay? What does that mean? We make our own formula of three different clays that are used by the different ceramic artists and potters. We use porcelain, earthenware and stoneware for our coasters.
5. You say the decal is permanent, does that mean it won't come off? After almost 15 years of testing, we have found the only way to get the design off is to sand it off.
6. Is there anything special I should do to care for them? Occasionally clean them. Do not seal them with anything or they will not absorb. Do not use furniture polish on them, that is a wax sealer.
7. Can you put anything on them? We do a little custom work, but if you just want one or a set of 4 coasters with your dog on them, the decal is too expensive for that to be an option. However, if you have a business where you are looking for 500 with your logo on it, please feel free to contact us.
8. Can you put something hot on the coaster? Yes, our coasters have been fired to over 2000 degrees, something hot isn't going to bother it.
9. What does it mean that they work? In the course of a day, in demonstrating at a show, we have put over 5 ounces of water on the coaster and watched it soak in. They should be allowed to breathe at night so the moisture in the coaster is allowed to evaporate. If they seem to slow down, clean them.

Stoneware Questions

1. Can you really bake on the stoneware pieces? Yes, there is nothing better than baking on a stoneware sheet or pizza stone, especially the unglazed ones. You can go to temperatures of up to 450 degrees without a problem.
2. You can use soap and water on stoneware pieces? Yes, but only if they are fired hot enough so that the soap isn't absorbed into the clay. When pieces are under fired, the product stays "open" and the soap will permeate the piece leaving a soapy taste. Our products are fired hot enough so the soap will not be absorbed.
3. Can the hot stone really break if you put something cold on it? The only way this will happen is through thermal shock. If you take something frozen and put it on a very hot stone/sheet you run that risk. The best rule of thumb for using in the oven is cold food, cold stoneware, cold oven. This works the very best.

Other Questions

1. Is there someplace that we can go and see what you have? We do a number of shows a year, contact us and we will let you know if there is one in your area.
2. Where are these made? They are made by us, my husband and I in our clay studio in Buffalo, NY. At the current time, we do not have a showroom or retail shop.