My pottery looks and smells a little funky. What can I do to fix it?

No judgement—pottery gets moody sometimes. To give yours a refresh, bring a pot of water to a gentle boil with either vinegar, lemon juice, or bicarb soda. Once boiling, reduce to low heat. Carefully place your pottery into the simmering water and let it bathe for 15 to 20 minutes, keeping a watchful eye on it. Turn off the stove and let everything cool slowly in the pot. Once cooled, wash with warm soapy water and let it air dry completely.

Worried about light stains? A soft sponge and a pinch of salt under warm water will do the trick, or you can use Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser & Polish. Just remember to air dry fully before storing.

Pro tip: To minimise future stains, run your pottery under lukewarm water and give it a gentle wipe-down before serving food or drinks. This helps fill the porous clay with water instead of oils or sauces.

Bonus (but optional) tip:
Before using your pottery for the first time, you might like to “cook” it in starchy water—just like they do in Japan. Simmer on low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, then let it cool slowly in the pot. Wash with warm soapy water and let it air dry. Use leftover rice-washing water or make your own by adding two tablespoons of plain flour per litre of water. This technique helps seal the clay body and increases longevity.

Bonus (but important) tip:
Use your pottery. Often. Let it age, let it live, and enjoy every stage of its beautiful life.

How many restocks do you have per year, and how can I keep track of them?

There are usually four restocks a year, following the rhythm of the seasons. To stay in the loop, follow me on socials—but for early access, insider updates and a heads-up on all the happenings, I highly recommend signing up for the newsletter.

Why should I sign up for your newsletter—and will you spam me?

As a Whistler, you’ll enjoy early access to restocks, discounts, and special event notifications throughout the year. Think of it as a little note from me to your inbox, filled with warmth, mud, and magic.

Why is your shop password-protected—and how do I get in?

Because I release small-batch, handmade collections, the shop may be empty between restocks. That said, it usually stays open these days, and you don’t need a password unless there’s a special early-access release for subscribers.

I signed up for the newsletter, but I’m not receiving anything. Help!

Ah, the dreaded spam filter. Many email providers send newsletters straight to Junk Mail, especially those with pretty pictures. To avoid this, save contactus@whistleandpage.com to your contacts. That usually sorts it.

I created a member account—why am I still not getting the newsletter?

Signing up for an account helps you check out quickly, but it doesn’t subscribe you to the newsletter. You’ll need to sign up separately here.

What kind of warranty do you provide?

Each piece is handmade with care, love, and a good dose of clay-splattered joy. Because they’re organic and unique, I can’t offer warranties in the traditional sense. However, if a piece isn’t functioning as it should, please get in touch—I’ll always try to help.

Do you sell your seconds online?

Yes, I do—and they’re lovingly discounted. You’ll find them in the Seconds section of my shop during restocks. These are pieces with minor imperfections—tiny cracks, glaze quirks, or test pieces—but they’re still fully functional and safe.

This was a hard decision. As a maker, I’ve always wanted to put only my best foot (and footed bowls!) forward. But reducing waste matters more. Many potters smash imperfect pieces—I prefer to honour them. Whistle & Page is all about celebrating beauty in imperfection.

Why do potters wear masks? Is something in your pottery harmful?

Good question! We wear masks to protect ourselves from silica dust, which can cause silicosis—a serious lung condition. It’s not in the finished pottery, just in the dry clay and glaze powders during the making process. In the studio, I wear a 3M Half Mask with P100 filters to stay safe. I also use only food-safe glazes and fire all my pieces to vitrify the clay (i.e., make it non-porous and safe to use).

There are little blue speckles on my piece—what are they?

They're freckles! Natural and harmless, these little specks come from minerals reacting in the kiln. They’re part of the handmade charm and totally safe. Enjoy their cutie marks.

Items in my set don’t look identical. Why is that?

Because they’re made by human hands—mine! I don’t use moulds or slip-casting. Each piece is shaped with intention, care, and a little whimsy. They’re sisters, not twins.

Do you offer local pick-up or combined shipping?

Yes! I offer flat rate shipping for $15 Australia-wide, though this may vary for larger or heavier pieces. I’m happy to combine items when possible—just note that it depends on their size and shape.

If you're local to Murrumbateman or the ACT, you're welcome to pick up your order from my studio by appointment, or from designated locations around Murrumbateman and Canberra. Just select the local pick-up option at checkout, and I’ll be in touch to arrange the details.

Do you ship internationally?

At this stage, no. Pottery is fragile, heavy, and packaging-intensive, and I’m mindful of the carbon footprint. For now, Whistle & Page is only available to those in my island home of Australia.

Do you accept returns or exchanges?

Because each piece is handmade and one-of-a-kind, I don’t offer refunds or exchanges for change of mind. Please choose thoughtfully.

If something arrives damaged in transit, please contact Australia Post or Sendle to lodge a claim. I wrap everything with great care, but once it leaves my hands, it’s in theirs.

If your piece isn’t functioning as intended (e.g., a pourer that won’t pour), reach out within three days of receiving it. I want you to love and use your piece, and I’ll always do my best to help.

I just placed an order—can I add something without paying for shipping again?

As long as it hasn’t been shipped and is small enough to fit in the existing box, you can get in touch at contactus@whistleandpage.com.au and organise this. I will try my very best. Generally, you have up to three days to amend or cancel your order.

I’ve changed my mind—can I cancel my order?

If it hasn’t been shipped yet, yes. Contact me within three days at contactus@whistleandpage.com.au to arrange a cancellation.

The item I wanted is sold out—can I pre-order or join a waitlist?

While I don’t do pre-orders for all items, you can join the waitlist for sold-out items by entering your email address on the product page. Or feel free to email me directly to chat about what you’re after.

Do you take commissions, collaborate or offer wholesale?

Yes—if it aligns with the spirit and pace of Whistle & Page.

Commissions & Collaborations: I’m honoured every time someone reaches out with a custom idea. I can’t always say yes (these hands are busy!), but I consider each request with care.

Wholesale Pottery: If you run a thoughtful store where handmade story-rich pieces feel at home, I’d love to hear from you.

Books: My children’s books are available wholesale and on consignment for like-minded retailers who love championing Australian stories.

Workshops & Community: I run workshops for all ages—at schools, businesses, creative spaces, and here at my Murrumbateman studio every Friday and Monday at 10:30am. Each one is tailored with heart and joy. Let’s dream something up together.

Reach out at contactus@whistleandpage.com if this sounds like you.

What are you doing to reduce your environmental impact?

I take sustainability seriously and am always looking for ways to lessen my environmental footprint in the studio and across my small business. Here's how I'm doing that right now:

Green Energy
My studio is powered by 31 solar panels, and I've recently invested in a high-capacity battery to store that energy—perfect for running my kiln, Fawkes.

Water Harvesting
Our entire property runs solely on rainwater we collect. The studio isn’t plumbed, so I use buckets and water containers to store, reuse, and recycle water throughout the making process.

Reclaiming Clay
I reclaim every bit of scrap clay using a three-bucket system for each clay type (red, white, and stoneware):

• Bucket One collects all offcuts, from greenware to bone dry.

• Bucket Two holds clay slip that’s been filtered and is free of impurities.

• Bucket Three stores the reclaimed clay, once it’s dried and wedged back to a workable consistency. I keep this clay close by for wheel work.

Glaze Practices
I only use food-safe, brush-on glazes free from harmful minerals such as lead. While brush-on glazes take longer to apply than dip glazes, they allow me to reduce glaze waste and stay intentional in the studio.

Minimising Plastic
While some plastic is traditionally used to slow down the drying process, I’ve transitioned to using recycled fabric instead. I’ve also introduced a seed-raising plastic greenhouse inside the studio, which doubles as a hot box to manage drying in cooler weather.

Seconds Shop
To reduce waste, I offer a seconds collection during most product releases—beautiful, functional pieces with small cosmetic quirks that don’t affect use.

Eco-Friendly Packaging
Pottery is fragile, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be packed in plastic. I use biodegradable packing peanuts, cardboard cushioning, and water-activated paper tape. Any plastic used is reused from incoming deliveries.

Ongoing Research and Development
Outside the studio, I spend time researching new tools, materials, and sustainable practices. This small-batch pottery practice is always evolving—and always striving to do better for the environment.