Frequently Asked Questions
Production
How are the ceramics at Match Stoneware made?
Each and every piece is handmade using traditional wheel throwing and hand building techniques in our studio. All design and ideation is done in-house by the Match Stoneware team. Our potters and hand builders create pieces in small batches to ensure the highest quality and durable pottery. We do not use molds, jiggering, slip casts or industrial machines to produce mass quantities. We deeply value and enjoy the skills of this ancient craft in a time where technology is taking away from the human connection. Our customers can know that their dinnerware was made completely by a potter’s hands in Culver City, CA.
How come not every piece is exactly the same?
It’s handmade! What you are looking at is the human touch of a skilled craftsperson who hand-threw and hand-glazed your very pieces that you are now using in your home! While we create each piece to the same dimensions every time (and get them pretty spot on!), the human touch welcomes slight variation. Each piece takes on an artistic quality that is valuable in a time where much of what we use in our daily lives is machine-made without a story.
With that in mind, we assure you that we hold our ceramics to the highest standards. We inspect every piece out of the kiln before it goes onto our showroom floor or fills any orders. Nothing goes out that isn’t up to Match Stoneware requirements for consistency, finish, safety, and aesthetic.
Are your items food-safe?How durable are they?
All our dinnerware is food-safe! We use only lead-free glazes on our dinnerware.
Our dinnerware is made for eating on, serving and plating - not for cooking/boiling liquids on stovetops or baking/heating in an oven.
Ceramics is high-fired to temperatures over 2,000 degrees, so your pieces are definitely strong and durable for years to come! Any marks from silverware are only superficial scratches on the glaze surface that can be removed with hand washing.
If you are a restaurant, you can ask about making pieces a little thicker for high-volume service.
Is your dinnerware dishwasher-safe?
STONE CRACKLE Collection hand-wash only!
Having handmade ceramics is special and should be treated with more attention to avoid unnecessary damage to glazes and surfaces. So, while technically you can put these pieces in the dishwasher, we recommend hand-washing only. Hand-washing will reduce the wear-and-tear chemical detergents can inflict on our handmade items.
If you do decide to use the dishwasher, we strongly recommend gentle or China cycle with environmentally-friendly detergents that are free of any harsh, abrasive, or acidic chemicals. We also recommend doing a pre-clean by hand to get them generally washed/soaked so you don’t have to use a heavy setting on the machine. Spacing out your ceramics can also prevent them from hitting each other and potentially breaking during the wash.
Ultimately - handwashing with natural soaps is always better than dishwashing in a machine!
Are your items microwave-safe?
All our dinnerware items are microwave-safe.
Are your items oven-safe? How about stove top for cooking or boiling liquids?
No, none of our items are for oven or stovetop use over an open flame or burner hotspot. Putting ceramics in an oven or on stovetops and taking them from hot-to-cold or cold-to-hot could cause thermal shock, making them crack or break.
Online Orders
How long will it take for my order to ship?
Items that are listed in-stock will be shipped out within 3-4 days.
If items are out of stock, please send us an email with your desired quantity and please allow 2-3 weeks for order to be fulfilled.
Sales
Do you sell seconds?
No, we do not sell seconds.
Do you offer discounts?
Feel free to email info@matchstoneware.com for more information on our process and requirements.
Visiting Our Showroom & Studio
Can I make an appointment?
If you’re interested in meeting with us about a special order, or visiting the showroom outside of our regular business hours, call us at (424) 298-8383.