Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I purchase Hadley Pottery?
A: Find a Retailer by entering your zipcode. Or, you may call Hadley Pottery directly; toll free 866-584-2171 to place an order. Of course, you can also shop online 24/7 on this site.
Q: How do I become a Hadley retailer?
A: Call us toll free at 866-584-2171 or simply send an e-mail with information about your location to info@hadleypottery.com.
Q: How do I place a special order?
A: You may place a custom order with your retailer, or via mail order (1570 Story Ave, Louisville, KY 40206), or by calling the Hadley Pottery Factory directly.
Q:How can I tell if the pottery is an original M.A. Hadley piece?
A: Mary Alice Hadley created most of our current designs and all designs are inspired by M.A. Hadley. Every artist was trained by a protégé of Mrs. Hadley. Genuine Hadley stoneware has the M.A. Hadley hand-painted signature on the bottom or side of the piece.
Q: Where is Hadley Pottery located?
A: The Hadley Pottery Factory is located at 1570 Story Avenue in the historic Butchertown section of Louisville, KY.
Q: Does the Pottery offer tours?
A: Free Pottery tours are offered daily, Monday through Thursday at 2 pm. If you plan to visit during the summer, please call ahead. When temperatures exceed 85 degrees, tours may be canceled.
Q: What are the factory store hours?
A: Monday through Friday: 9am-5pm; Saturday: 9am-1pm
Q: How durable is Hadley pottery?
A: Hadley pottery is dishwasher, oven, and microwave safe, using proper care. Dishwasher heat will not harm Hadley. It is best to allow cooling before removing from dishwasher. Also, take care in loading Hadley in dishwasher in such a manner that pieces do not touch each other. Stoneware is sensitive to thermal shock. When using Hadley in baking, heat gradually and cool slowly to prevent fracture. Never place pottery over direct flame or heating element.
Q: Is the pottery lead-free?
A: Yes.
Q: Does Hadley Pottery come in any other colors?
A: Some patterns contain accents of pink, green and yellow; however, “Hadley blue” is our signature color. The combination of extremely high firing temperatures, the white overglaze, and the absence of lead, are the primary factors limiting our colors. This very same combination of factors also yields a highly durable and desirable pottery. The glazes are compounded and ground at the Pottery on Story Avenue in Louisville and are all lead and cadmium free. The dominantly blue, whimsical designs are consistent with Mary Alice Hadley’s originals.
Q: How does stoneware differ from other forms of pottery?
A: Everyday tableware will either be made in earthenware (low-fired clay) or in stoneware (high-fired clay). Earthenware is white and porous clay that is fired at a temperature of about 1915 degrees Fahrenheit. Earthenware is usually called “ceramics” or “ceramic ware.” Stoneware is stronger clay that is fired to a high temperature (about 2100 degrees Fahrenheit) and becomes vitreous. It can then be left undecorated or decorated with colored glazes with an optional clear glaze coating and re-fired. Stoneware will always have an unglazed portion on the bottom surface where the piece comes in contact with the kiln and no glaze remains. Stoneware is clay that when fired to maturity becomes a sturdy, chip resistant material suitable for using in cooking, baking, storing liquids, and serving.
Q: Can I bake with my Hadley Pottery?
A: Yes!
Hadley porringers, casseroles, and other baking dishes are oven-usable with reasonable care, but are neither "heat proof" or "people proof"
To avoid the risk of heat shock:
- Place room temperature Hadley piece and ingredients in room temperature oven and bring up to desired temperature gradually.
- Do not place in direct contact with flame or electric heating element.
- Do not use in a broiler
- If oven has been at 400 degrees or over, let cool with door ajar for 10 to 15 minutes.
Q: Can I use photos from hadleypottery.com for my (website, presentation, project, etc)?
A: All of the photos found on hadleypottery.com are the exclusive property of Hadley Pottery Company, and cannot be copied or used by others on their websites, electronic media, or printed materials without the express written permission of Hadley Pottery. We do occasionally share our photos with those who ask and who plan to use them in a limited and legitimate way. To contact us about the use of our photos, please email us and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. We do allow our consumers to pin our photos to www.pinterest.com and do not limit the posting of our website images to Facebook, Twitter, or other social sharing sites. Use of our proprietary photos is, however, limited to these social media unless you have our written permission. Thank you!
