FAQs

  • Purchase made-to-order standard vessels:

    1. Order online through the Purchase page by clicking on the vessel you would like to buy. After selecting the color tone, size and quantity, click the "Purchase" button. You may choose to pay in full, or use the code DEPOSIT to pay 50% now, and we will bill you for the remaining balance when your piece is complete. Follow the website prompts to create an account and complete your purchase.

    2. After receiving your order, we will contact you with an estimated delivery cost and delivery time, typically a few months. Direct delivery and installation service by Studio staff is available in much of the Northeast. The Studio will provide crating and shipping estimates for more distant locations.

    Commission custom work:

    I welcome commission inquiries about one-of-a-kind vessels and site-specific installations. I can create the forms on the Purchase page at any scale up to 42" wide and 60" tall. If you would like to discuss your selection, site, or other requirements with me, please follow these steps:

    1. Submit an inquiry here or call (802) 277-0097.

    2. We will respond and schedule a meeting time with Stephen to discuss the project.

    3. During the meeting, Stephen will help you determine the vessel(s) and size(s) that will be right for your garden or other location. Photoshop mock-up services are available. On-site consultations are available for a day rate of $1200 plus mileage.

    4. Once we receive payment, we will provide an estimated delivery cost and turnaround time, typically a few months.

    5. Direct delivery and installation service by Studio staff is available in much of the Northeast. The Studio will provide crating and shipping estimates for more distant locations.

  • Delivery is an additional fee based on the following factors:

    Driving delivery is possible within a roughly 200 mile radius of Brattleboro, Vermont and fees include staff hours ($35/hr), tolls/ferry, and mileage ($.70/mi). These examples are rough estimates:

    • Hartford, CT: $280

    • Boston, MA: $360

    • New York City: $600

    Shipping delivery is possible outside a 200 mile radius of Brattleboro, Vermont and fees include in-house crating plus the carrier’s fees depending on the distance, size, and weight of the vessel. These examples are rough estimates for shipping a Buddha Belly vessel from Brattleboro, VT to a residence:

    • Washington, DC: $550-750

    • Miami, FL: $560-850

    • Los Angeles, CA: $600-875

  • In the garden, the ideal foundation for placing your vessel is a level piece of bluestone or similar stone set over a foundation of 4”-6” deep of packed coarse gravel. The gravel will provide good drainage and reduce the chances of frost heaving. Should the plinth stone go out of level over time, the gravel underneath will make re-leveling a simple task.

    An existing stone patio or a level porch will also support the vessel well.

    If you are placing it indoors, we recommend felt or cork pads under the foot to protect floors from scratches. The studio will apply pads on request.

    If we are delivering, our Studio staff member will place your piece for you.

    If the vessel is being shipped, the crate can be opened with a Phillips screwdriver. You and/or your garden staff will be able to move it to its site with the help of a sturdy hand truck. Pad between the vessel and the hand truck uprights. You need only the edge of the vessel’s foot on the hand truck lifting blade.

  • The largest forms can be up to 250 lbs. and the smaller ones are typically 60-100 lbs. Weight is advantageous in the garden setting, giving the pots stability in the presence of wind, pets, children, and other potential hazards. See also the previous question about installation.

  • Yes! I welcome commission inquiries about one-of-a-kind vessels and site-specific installations. I can create the forms on the Purchase page at any scale up to 42" wide and 60" tall. If you would like to discuss your selection, site, or other requirements with me, please submit an inquiry and we will schedule a time for a call.

  • Yes, the vessels are weather resistant. They can be left out year round through rain, snow, sunshine, etc.

    Drain holes in the floors of the vessels prevent accumulation of water inside.

    We recommend putting the lid on your vessel during freezing weather. Doing so eliminates the possibility that snow could melt and then re-freeze inside the vessel.

    If your vessel is placed in a windy spot, you can give it extra stability by pouring 50-100 lbs. of coarse gravel (not sand) into it. The additional weight at the foot will act as ballast, the gravel can be poured out if not needed in a future location.

    Resist the temptation to spray the vessels from a hose on a hot day. Such an extreme temperature change can stress them.

  • Yes. The material we use is what potters know as high-fire stoneware. Unlike terra cotta and similar low-fire clays, it is impervious to moisture after being fired to over 2300ºF. Think of the difference between the material your dinnerware is made of (high-fire) and the comparatively porous material a flower pot is made of (low-fire). Water resistance is the key.

    Lids in wintertime protect the pots from gathering snow and the potential formation of ice inside the vessels. Lids are optional through the warmer seasons.

  • The stoneware material we use is extremely stable and will not discolor or otherwise change over time, even in salt air situations.

  • Pieces placed in shady or otherwise damp locations may eventually host moss and/or lichens. They will not harm the material. Many people like the resultant patina, though if you prefer to remove it, it can easily be washed off with a non-wire brush and mild soapy water.

    Resist the temptation to spray the vessels from a hose on a hot day. Such an extreme temperature change can stress them.

  • The vessels can be adapted as fountains. Consult with your gardener or pond specialist about requirements for any needed collecting pool and pumps.

    Make sure to drain the water well before freezing temperatures in the fall.

  • We think of our work as essentially sculptural, rather than as containers. That said, we have seen beautiful arrangements of branches and reeds held by our work.

    Our standard forms are not designed to accommodate the stresses created by expansion of soil when it freezes. If you choose to have plants in the vessels, we recommend that you keep the plants a liner of plastic or similar material so they can easily be removed seasonally.

    If you would like custom planters, we would be happy to discuss making them on commission.