Each hand carved item I make is functional and made to be used again and again. The natural properties of wood mean that the item will gain a natural patina and show signs of use and wear throughout its life. Our morning porridge spoon is still embellished with the purple of forest blueberries, and any other liquid in my morning coffee cup will always taste of coffee. Wood has a unique, everlasting memory, far before its time being shaped into an artefact. Not only will your item remind you of fond memories, but your artefact will also have a memory locked into the grain of when it was growing in earth.
My spoons are finished with linseed oil unless stated otherwise. They wil require only a wash with warm water and if needed, a light scrub with mild detergent. They are not fit for the dishwasher. Dry them upside-down so that water doesn’t pool in the bowl for long periods of time. A wooden spoon may show signs of dry-ness over time. If it does, simply massage in a drizzle of linseed oil and let it cure for a day or two in a sunny spot in the home. Unlike other materials, wood does eventually expire, over time, a spoon may begin to become fluffy, this can be carved away... Perhaps it has developed a crack, perhaps it is time to make another.
My vessels are all uniquely handmade freehand, I do not follow any measurements or templates. I do follow the same technical making process with each piece to ensure that I continue to develop my methodology. Each piece will be naturally asymmetric and have a graduating wall thickness from thick to thin so that the base is heavier and balanced. One of the most technical aspects of these vessels, and a feature that I both teach and look for in other makers' works, is that the band of wall thicknesses around the vessels circumference will always be even and consistent. This ensures that there are no thicker spots that can lead to a wall cracking over time. I have been developing these methods of making for six years and I only now feel confident after much development and testing, that these vessels are fit for production carving.
After drinking from your vessel, simply rinse with warm water and dry with a towel to prevent water from pooling in them for long periods of time. Use a mild detergent only if needed.
I use five layers urushi lacquer to seal the cups so that they do not leak or crack. This process can take several months to apply and cure, but one of the most appealing qualities (other than the fact that urushi is a beautiful craft) is that when applied well, the finish can withstand temperatures up to 300°C - meaning that each cup that I now make and sell can be used for either hot or cold drinks. Each item is tested twice with boiling water and left to cool to room temperature. Despite the urushi finish being very durable, they are still made from wood and will not withstand drops from a great height.
Urushi products are to be stored out of direct sunlight.
Do not pour cold water directly into a cup that is still hot as like ceramic pieces, this can shock and crack the piece.
If your vessel does have a leak, please notify me with images.