Expert: Leisha Hiester - 9/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: I bought earthenware, made in China, from Dillards.  It's sealed except for the ring on the backs of the plates.  I'm getting mold when storing the dishes in my cabinet.  Is there any way to seal the rings that weren't sealed originally and that is safe?
Thanks for your help!

ANSWER: Janine,
I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. It's difficult as a potter to like any ceramics made in china. Often the products used to create the piece are cheaper products to drive the cost down and sometimes they're not fired to vitrification to save dollars.

Are you allowing the plates to dry thoroughly before putting them away? Are you sure they're for food use & not decorative only? The plates can be glazed with a clear glaze over the 'dry foot,' stilted and refired. If you don't have a kiln, you could search out a paint your own pottery studio in your area or better yet, a potter or ceramic artist. Often they have space in their kiln that they're glad to fill up for a very reasonable price when firing.

Depending upon the design of the plates, whether they're shiny or matted, you can purchase commercially made clear gloss or matte glaze to match the finish. Be sure to get glaze that is made to fire on earthenware.

Hope this helps.

Leisha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Leisha - thanks for your response.  Yes, I've been very diligent in making sure the dishes are dry before putting them away.  The glaze is shiny and yes, they're intended for food use.  Dillards has sold these dishes for years so I'm surprised that no one else has had this problem.  
So, there is nothing I can apply that doesn't require re-firing?  Many thanks for your help.
Janine

ANSWER: Janine,
You could try a sealing varnish, but then you'd have to carefully hand wash each item.
I'd definitely contact Dillards to let them know and see what they would do for you. They're a reputable store, so they may either replace them or refund your monies. If you're really wanting to keep these long-term, my best recommendation is to reglaze & refire. Where are you loacted? If you find a working artist they're bound to have kiln space & be willing to help you out.

Leisha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Leisha - I'm located in the St. Louis, MO area.  

I did tell them but did'nt really ask them to do anything for me.  Thanks for you help if you can locate someone for me in my area (Ellisville, MO).

Answer
Janine,
I googled St. Louis & came up with quite a few. It looks like Krueger would be a good place to start for you. Leisha

A.   
Krueger Pottery Inc
- www.kruegerpottery.com - (314) 963-0180 - 2 reviews
B.   
Ceramics & More
- www.myceramicsandmore.com - (314) 729-7877 - more
C.   
Golden Kiln The
- goldenkiln.com - (314) 781-8767 - more
D.   
Certre Na
- www.certre.it - (314) 647-5209 - more
E.   
Glazed & Confused
- www.glazed-confused.com - (314) 892-5500 - 6 reviews
F.   
Purple Turtle Ceramics
- purpleturtleceramicstudio.com - (314) 352-4021 - more
G.   
Paint Me Pottery
- maps.google.com - (314) 822-7733 - 3 reviews
H.   
Painted Zebra
- www.paintedzebra.com - (314) 965-2262 - more
I.   
Painting Paw
- www.paintingpaw.com - (636) 530-9559 - more
J.   
Verch Dental Ceramics
- maps.google.com - (636) 227-0186