Here at East Fork, our Quality Control team asks the following set of questions for every single pot we make to determine its quality: Is it functional? Is it safe? Is it beautiful? Does it reasonably meet the expectations we have established for customers? The answers to these questions determines which of our two quality levels each pot is assigned: Firsts (for first quality) or Seconds. Our team’s first and foremost concern is making sure your pots will be safe and functional to use day in, day out. Like Firsts, all Seconds will be safe and functional. We only sell pots that are food safe. The primary differentiation between Firsts and Seconds is their aesthetic quality.
What is beautiful, though, is a matter of opinion; what’s pleasing to some might be off-putting to others, but we do our best to codify these variations. Our pots are glazed by hand and made from dynamic materials from our earth so you can and should expect to see evidence of the interplay between human touch and natural material. If you are not a fan of variation and prefer a uniform look from piece to piece, our pottery is most likely not for you—and that is okay!
We currently have six categories by which we define our standards and use to determine a pot’s quality: what can either pass through QC and out into the world as First Quality or what gets pulled and sold at a discounted rate as Seconds. These categories are Material, Forming, Trimming, Glazing, Firing, and Handling. A pot can be deemed Second Quality for failing to meet one or more of our expectations within each category. All of the categories are connected! Here are a few examples below about what constitutes a Second.
How can I buy seconds?? Your showroom was beautiful by the way!! (Visiting from ND)
RE: JJ’s comment about things being a different color, I also was surprised by the seconds I just received in Eggshell (my first time buying this color.) To preface, I’ve bought lots of other seconds and been very satisfied with all of them— I could barely tell they were seconds. So this seemed like a safe bet. But these Eggshells look like…a totally different color from all the photos? They don’t look like a cool airy grayish white, they look like a pale greyish blue, more like Soapstone—and I know the colors are similar, but should they be this similar? I’m gonna reach out to the team for help/more info, but I did wanna register my surprise at this. It’s possible that’s just what eggshell looks like, but that doesn’t seem super likely? Still love EF, just a bit bummed
I was surprised by the absolute positivity shared about seconds in the Comments. While I don’t endeavor to dissuade anyone from purchasing these slightly cheaper products, I think it’s important to be honest about what you might receive. We own normal and seconds products (12 items in total), and the latter is clearly an inferior product that doesn’t warrant the meager markdown in price, particularly when it requires a donation to a local cause simply to get a spot in line for purchase. I think one of the four or so seconds items we received looks relatively normal. But the others have obvious streaking or bubbling, and most of the pieces are clearly a different color than their “perfect” counterparts. Sure, they’re fully functional and a nice product in terms of sturdiness. But when one adds up the donation requirement (which may no longer be in effect) it’s a waste of money for a flawed product.
I have a few seconds pots and they are still stunning!
Seconds will be my firsts. I’m down!
I love those “flaws”. Give all those babies to me! :)
I need some seconds in Midnight Swim! Anything available??
I have about equal seconds to firsts and I barely notice the “flaws”
I love them all equally!
I would love to purchase a Seconds piece! I think this is a wonderful idea.
I bought some seconds at your last sale. The seconds green mug is noticeably heavier than my non-seconds mug, so it has become my husband’s mug. Is weight also a reason for seconds quality, or is some variation common?
I’d love to have some of these pieces! They are beautiful!