Buying handmade work is less about spotting problems and more about understanding what you are being offered, which is usually a conversation the seller is glad to have.
The two questions that matter most
"Who made this, and where?" Made by the seller, made in their workshop, or bought from a maker — all legitimate, and the answer changes what you are buying.
"Is this the exact piece?" For handmade work there is a real difference between this one and one like this. Made-to-order work will vary, and that is normal — but you should know which you are bidding on before the clock runs out.
On craft names tied to a place
Some craft names describe a technique and a region together, and some are protected as Geographical Indications. If a piece is being sold under such a name, it is fair to ask where it was made and by whom. A seller who works in that tradition will enjoy the question.
What irregularity means
Slight asymmetry, visible tool marks, variation in glaze or dye: in handmade work these are evidence of the hand, not faults. What is a fault is a chip, a crack, a repair, or a finish that has failed — and those should be described.
If you are unsure which you are looking at, ask. "Is that intentional?" is a good question and sellers like answering it.
Practical things to ask
- Measurements, in centimetres
- Whether it is food-safe, watertight or outdoor-safe, if that matters
- How to care for it — many finishes have rules
- Whether anything in the piece will change with use
What protection covers
A piece that arrives damaged, or that is materially not what was described — a different piece, a different material, a repair that was not mentioned — is covered for seven days from delivery.
Natural variation that was described as variation is not a fault.
Questions people ask
Why is handmade work more expensive than it looks?
Because you are buying hours. Ask how long it took; sellers are usually pleased to say.
Can I ask for a piece to be made for me?
Often yes. That is a made-to-order arrangement, which works differently from an auction. What you can buy.
What if the colour is different from the screen?
Ask for it shown in daylight during the show. Screens differ, and a good seller expects the question.