Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about my ceramics? Fantastic! Explore the FAQs – your gateway to learning more about my making and pottery purchase-related questions. Need more details or just fancy a chat about clay and creativity? Feel free to drop me a message anytime.

Your Questions, Our Answers: Simplifying Your Ceramic Journey

NOTE - FAQ is in CONSTRUCTION - Bear with me. Feel free to contact me if you have any queries in the mean time.

Topics Covered:

  • Explore the ins and outs of our online shop, from how to place orders and accept payment methods to shipping processes and delivery times.

  • Details about how we handle shipping, delivery, and packaging to ensure your ceramics reach you in perfect condition.

  • What to do if your peice arrives damaged, or you are not sure you want it. Details on how to arrange returns.

  • Get answers to common enquiries about how to contact us, response times, satisfaction guarantees, and more. We're here to assist you.

  • Learn about my custom commission process

  • We pour our hearts into crafting each ceramic or pottery piece. Here's how you can nurture and care for its beauty.

  • Gain insights into my clay craft process, and the unique style that sets my ceramics apart.

  • A bit about raku pottery and its distinctive features, inspiration, and potential uses.

Online Shop

  • To order our ceramics, simply browse our online shop, select the items you love, add them to your cart, and proceed to checkout. Click here for a little walkthrough video that I hope helps.

  • We accept most major credit card transactions via Stripe and PayPal. Your payment information is encrypted and kept secure. For further details refer to the terms and conditions

Postage and Packaging

  • We aim to use Royal Mail UK Tracked 48 hours for our shipping with the UK. Please note that this timeframe is reliant on Royal Mail and may vary based on your location and is out of our control. Please note as a part time maker, It may take me up to 2-5 days to process an order, but I will do my best to get it out asap. Once your order is dispatched, you will receive a tracking number to monitor your parcel's journey. If you have any specific delivery inquiries, feel free to reach out to us.

  • To keep things straightforward, we offer a flat-rate shipping fee that covers both postage and packaging. This rate is based on the cost of a medium parcel, ensuring a consistent and transparent charge for orders. As a small operation transitioning from hobby selling to a budding business, we strive to maintain fair pricing. Your shipping cost is clearly displayed during checkout. If you have any specific concerns, don't hesitate to reach out – I am here to assist you!

  • Currently, we only offer shipping to the United Kingdom via the online shop. I am hoping to expand to international shipping options in the near future. There is more I need to learn before I can take this step.

  • We will aim to provide a tracking number and a link to track your shipment in your order confirmation email once it's shipped.

  • We aim to take great care in packaging your ceramics. Each piece is securely wrapped with sustainable brown paper hive wrap and placed in protective packaging to prevent damage during transit. Biodegradable filler and cardboard/paper bubblewrap are used to avoid movement and shock during transit damaging the pieces.

  • While we take every precaution to ensure your ceramics are securely packaged for their journey, we regret that we cannot take responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur during transit. Once your package is in the hands of the postal service, we are no longer in control of its handling. However, we understand that unexpected situations can arise. If you encounter any issues with your delivery, please contact us, and we will do our best to assist and guide you through the next steps. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.

  • Refer to refunds, damages and returns section.

  • Currently, we do not offer gift packaging or gift wrapping services, but we are exploring these options for the future. Please contact us if you have specific requests or questions about gifting.

  • We are committed to sustainability. Our packaging materials are chosen with the environment in mind, focusing on minimal waste and recyclability.

Refunds, Damages, and Returns

Refer to the Terms and Conditions

Customer Support

  • You can reach out to us by filling out our contact form on the website, sending an email to sapna@rawleaf.online, or directly messaging us on Instagram.

  • We strive to respond to all inquiries within 2 days, but please allow us up to 5 days during peak periods. We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.

  • Yes, we want you to be delighted with your purchase. Please refer to our Returns & Refunds policy within our terms and conditions for details.

Commissions

  • Certainly! I welcome enquiries for commissions and custom projects. I'm delighted to work on pieces that resonate with your vision. While I'm open to exploring new ideas, I aim to ensure that each creation maintains the authenticity, perseverance, and vulnerability that are integral to my work. I believe in allowing space for the unexpected in the crafting process, embracing challenges, and staying true to the feminine nature that defines my art. Let's collaborate to create something beautiful that reflects your vision while staying in harmony with the core values that guide my artistic expression. Feel free to reach out with your ideas, and we can work out if we can embark on this creative journey together.

  • Commissions involve collaboration. We'll start by discussing your vision, preferences, and any specific requirements. Once we have a clear understanding, we can put together a scope, estimated cost, and timeline as a set of terms to agree on as a foundation for our ongoing collaboration. To initiate the project, there may be a requirement to pay an initial installment, typically 30%. The scope and type of the project will determine how we work through it, and for more intricate projects, there might be a review of samples and ideas before the final pieces are crafted. We can arrange follow-up meetings or emails as required to keep you up to date with progress, ensuring your involvement throughout the creative process.

Ceramic Care

  • Cleaning:

    Hand-wash with warm water and mild soap. Harsh detergents and dishwashers can damage glazes and designs.

    Use a soft sponge or cloth. Abrasive scrubbers can scratch the surface.

    Temperature:

    Avoid extreme temperature changes. Let pottery adjust to room temperature before heating or cooling.

    Safety & Storage:

    Handle with care to prevent chips and cracks.

    Store in a cool, dry place, with padding for stacked items.

    Additional Tips:

    Avoid harsh chemicals and bleach. Use gentle cleaners.

    Be mindful of delicate details on some pieces.

    Regular use helps maintain the glaze and beauty.

    For specific concerns, please contact us.

Craftmanship, process and style

  • Each piece is a celebration of handcrafted art, shaped by intuitive design and a feminine touch. Influenced by nature, I integrate foraged leaves into the making process that captures memories of the outdoors. Embracing imperfections, every ceramic piece becomes a unique and charming expression of individuality.

  • My ceramic pieces are predominantly wheel-thrown, showcasing the craftsmanship of this traditional technique. Additionally, I use clay slips in different ways to imprint real bark, leaves and seed pods into clay, capturing an impression, relief or shadow of nature. Creating an interplay of textures from exposing sections of unglazed clay juxtaposed against a variety of glazes, allows me to add more depth, highlighting the emotional resonance within each piece.

  • My style is organic and deeply influenced by nature, femininity, and raw simplicity, resulting in ceramics that are simple, honest and intrinsically connected expressions of self and the natural world.

  • Each handmade ceramic piece is crafted individually, resulting in unique variations in glaze, texture, and shape. These differences are part of the charm of handmade ceramics, celebrating the authenticity and uniqueness of each piece. In my work, I look to embrace and celebrate the individuality and the beauty of imperfection.

Raku

  • The word "raku" translates to "enjoyment" or "happiness," reflecting the playful and spontaneous nature of the firing process.

  • Raku is a Japanese style of low-temperature, rapid-firing pottery known for its unique crackled glazes, bold colors, and earthy textures. There are a few different techniques of raku: traditional glazed, naked raku, Saggar, and Copper fuming.

  • Most Raku pieces are primarily decorative due to their firing process and characteristics. Raku pottery is typically fired at lower temperatures, leaving the clay body somewhat porous. Traditional raku glazes are known for their beautiful crackle effects, which can expose the underlying clay. This porosity and exposure can harbor bacteria, making the piece unsuitable for food or water contact. Where other styles of raku are not glazed and are not food safe at all.

  • Raku offers unique aesthetics, a connection to Japanese tradition and each piece has its own individual unique character. The quick firing process allows artists to experiment and create unpredictable results. Raku I believe embodies the idea of wabi-sabi and imperfect beauty.