SECONDS & SAMPLES INFORMATION
SECONDS & SAMPLES
If you’re unfamiliar with what to expect from a seconds & samples sale, have a quick read through the information below to gain a clearer understanding of what constitutes a seconds piece.
WHAT ARE SECONDS?
Seconds are pieces of pottery that didn’t meet the threshold for full prices ware during quality control. Each piece is checked over as it comes out of the kiln; if a fault is found, I won’t sell it at full price. Each potter will have a different tolerance for what constitutes a seconds piece but the key is transparency so that you can be well informed with what you’re purchasing.
What are samples?
Samples are the result of experiments with new glazes or new designs and are often completely one-off pieces as the final glazes and designs are further worked on before becoming part of the collection.
These pieces are unique and never repeated!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SECONDS AND samples?
Seconds have distinct faults such as cracks or glaze inconsistencies (see below) and are therefore priced with a discount. Samples include prototypes and test glaze items that have few or no faults but are one-off in nature and so not part of the core collection. Samples may or may not be discounted.
why are you selling seconds pieces?
The seconds I sell have purely visual flaws that mean whilst they don’t meet the quality threshold for full price ware, they are still perfectly functional.
Offering a variety of pieces in this way means treating yourself or a loved one to something handcrafted is a little more accessible should your budget be smaller.
It’s much nicer for both me and the environment knowing these pieces will be loved and appreciated in all their flawed beauty, and that the hours spent crafting them weren’t wasted.
how to i care for my seconds items?
With a little more care where possible. I would strongly recommend only hand washing your seconds pieces and as with all my pottery, not using them in the microwave. This is simply to guarantee that if there are small superficial cracks or less than perfect glaze finishes, that a dishwasher or microwave do not exacerbate these problems or hasten wear and tear.
Will i have another opportunity to shop seconds this year?
I usually only plan one seconds sale a year in January.
Therefore if there are pieces in this release you love, treat this as your only opportunity to purchase they are unique in their flaws and often the last of now discontinued pieces.
what kind of discounts will there be?
Anywhere between 20-35%, depending on the severity of the fault.
can i return seconds items?
All sales of seconds and sample items are final and so my usual refund policy does not apply to these pieces. Pieces are packed extremely securely and breakages are extremely rare, but refunds will be given in the unfortunate event that a piece arrives broken. In this instance please follow the instructions for reporting damaged goods on my Shipping & Terms page.
What kind of faults can i expect to find? can i still use my piece as normal?
All of my seconds pieces are fully functional. You won’t find pieces with any unsafe flaws or defects that mean they aren’t fit for purpose. However I strongly recommend taking extra care with your new pottery by avoiding exposure to extreme temperatures and hand washing where possible.
Below shows an example of the types of defects you might find in a seconds piece. All items in the shop will clearly detail the potential faults you might find, even if a photo of the specific fault isn’t included in the listing.
cracks and warping
Small hairline cracks or less than perfect circular rims might be a flaw found in your seconds. Purely superficial, none of these defects will affect functionality.
Glaze differences
This refers to glazes that have fired to a different finish than was intended. For example, if Toffee (pictured here) is applied too thickly or is fired twice, it will have a glossy finish rather than a semi-matte finish.
Crawling and pinholes
Crawling is when the glaze pulls away from the surface of the pot to reveal the bare clay underneath. Pinholes are little pits usually found where the glaze has been applied too thickly. Neither affect functionality.
Debris and blemishes
Fallen debris from upper shelves can occasionally melt and fuse to the surface. Blemishes can include patches of unintended colour or marks in the glaze. Some cup rims might have slightly rough patches from inadequate glaze covering. These defects are purely aesthetic and never affect functionality.
POTTERY FOR ALL BUDGETS
TREAT YOURSELF TO HANDMADE POTTERY
Shopping seconds and samples is a win-win; you get to enjoy pottery at a discounted price, I get to ensure even the imperfect pieces find a home where they’ll be used and loved.
