All of our Talavera pottery is handmade and individually painted using lead-free pigments and glazes. The process is extremely precise and involved taking 4-8 weeks to create each piece. As a result, each piece varies slightly in color, shape and design. Occasionally, you will notice a small paint smudge, fingerprint or other "imperfection". These are all signs of authenticity and character reminding us of the human hands that formed it. Talavera pottery is not frost or freeze proof and must be taken indoors before the first frost. Talavera pottery does not like to sit in water, get hit by your sprinklers or be in a greenhouse. Over time, small lines may appear on the blue portion of your Talavera pottery. This aging process is called crazing and does not affect a piece's durability. You can minimize crazing by avoiding drastic temperature changes, saltwater and well water.