Handmade Nature of Work

All Morph & Matter pieces are hand-built using slow, sculptural processes. No molds or mass production methods are used. As a result, each piece has its own unique form, texture, and glaze finish. You may notice slight variations between pieces; this is not a flaw, but a reflection of the piece’s individuality. Glazes can behave unpredictably in the kiln depending on thickness, clay body, and placement. If a set is ordered, the pieces will be cohesive in tone and form, but never exact duplicates.

Payment Structure

For all commissions and made-to-order pieces, a 60% non-refundable deposit is required to secure the project and begin material preparation. The remaining 40% balance is due upon project completion and before delivery or shipping. Work will not be shipped until the balance has cleared.

All payments are processed through Squarespace Payments, which accepts the following methods:

• Credit & Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, UnionPay)

• Digital Wallets (Google Pay, Apple Pay, Link)

Overpayment & Fraud Prevention

For your protection and to maintain secure transactions, Morph & Matter does not accept intentional overpayments or third-party payment arrangements. If an overpayment occurs, the excess amount will only be refunded after the original payment has fully cleared and been verified by the payment processor and financial institution. Any suspicious, fraudulent, or unusual payment activity will result in immediate cancellation of the order and refund (minus any non-refundable deposit).

Morph & Matter reserves the right to refuse or cancel any order that raises concerns of fraud, security, or payment irregularities.

Shipping Costs

Shipping is not included in the price of the work or commission quote unless explicitly stated. Shipping costs are calculated separately based on size, weight, destination, and chosen courier service. A separate shipping invoice will be issued once the work is complete and packaged. It must be paid in full, along with the remaining balance, before delivery or pickup. Local pickup in Hamilton, ON, is available at no charge.

Customs & Import Fees
All international orders may be subject to customs duties, import taxes, and fees imposed by the destination country. These charges are the responsibility of the client and are not included in the commission price or shipping invoice. Morph & Matter is not liable for delays, costs, or additional charges associated with customs clearance.

Shipping, Insurance & Breakage in Transit

Each order is packed with professional-grade padding and protective materials. However, once the item leaves the studio, Morph & Matter is not liable for shipping delays, damage, or loss.

• Insured Shipping: If selected at checkout or during custom order planning, your piece is covered by the courier. If damage occurs in transit, you must notify the courier immediately and follow their claim process. Morph & Matter will provide documentation or photos to assist, but all claims are handled directly between you and the courier.

• Uninsured Shipping: If you opt out of insurance, you assume all responsibility for any shipping damage, delay, or loss. Replacements may be requested at your expense (subject to availability and studio schedule).

Note: For all breakage claims, save the packaging and product for photo documentation, as this is required by couriers for claim processing.

In-Studio Breakage & Deadline Limitations

Ceramics is an unpredictable medium. A piece may break, warp, or crack during drying or firing, even after hours of work. If such a breakage occurs before delivery, you will be notified immediately. Because kiln access is shared and time-intensive, Morph & Matter does not offer rush orders or guaranteed deadlines. If a piece cannot be delivered by the requested date due to studio breakage, the following client options will be offered:

Option A: Remake on Revised Timeline - Your piece will be remade and moved to the top of the production queue. No refund will be issued unless delays exceed a reasonable period; in such cases, a goodwill discount may be discussed.

Option B: Partial Refund - If only part of the order is affected (e.g., 5 out of 20 pieces), you may proceed with the remaining order and receive a refund for the undeliverable portion.

Option C: Cancel & Refund Remaining Balance - If your deadline cannot be met and you no longer want to proceed, the project may be canceled. Your deposit remains non-refundable, but any unpaid balance or remaining work will be refunded.

These options will be discussed with you directly if this rare situation arises.

Returns, Exchanges & Refunds

Due to the handmade, custom nature of Morph & Matter ceramics, all sales are final.

No returns, exchanges, or refunds are accepted for any reason, including changes of mind, shipping damage, glaze variations, or natural imperfections.

Each piece is one-of-a-kind; variations in form, texture, and glaze finish are expected and celebrated as part of the work’s individuality.

Shipping insurance is available at the client’s expense to cover potential loss or damage in transit. Any claims must be filed directly with the courier, as Morph & Matter assumes no liability once work has left the studio.

Glaze Variation Disclaimer: Glazes react differently depending on thickness, application, and kiln environment. These variations are not defects and are not grounds for return, exchange, or refund.

Order Process & Consultation

All custom work begins with a formal Order Inquiry Form. If the scope aligns with Morph & Matter’s studio capacity, a free consultation will be scheduled to clarify the client’s vision, intended use, timeline, and aesthetic references.

If the commission proceeds, the client will receive:

• A design proposal

• A production timeline

• A quote with a deposit and payment schedule

Key constraints will also be reviewed (e.g., glaze unpredictability, studio firing access, and material limitations). Commissions are accepted based on mutual alignment of capacity, creative vision, and timeline.

By proceeding with a commission, the client grants Morph & Matter permission to photograph and share the finished work for portfolio, social media, or marketing purposes (unless otherwise agreed in writing).

Ownership & Reproduction Rights

All Morph & Matter work is original. Designs from other artists are not replicated, and no pieces are mass-produced. Final works may reflect past creations, but will never be exact copies.

Buyers may not reproduce or resell Morph & Matter work under their own name or use Morph & Matter images for commercial purposes without written permission. Morph & Matter retains the right to document, photograph, and share all commissioned work (unless otherwise agreed upon in writing).

Licensing & Usage Rights

Morph & Matter retains full copyright and intellectual property rights for all original artwork, designs, photographs, and video content unless otherwise agreed in writing.

By default:

• Buyers receive ownership of the physical piece only.

• Purchase does not include rights to reproduce, license, or commercially use the work (e.g., advertising, product packaging, editorial features, resale under another brand).

If a client, brand, or third party wishes to use images, videos, or references to Morph & Matter work in marketing, print, social campaigns, product placements, or other commercial contexts, a separate licensing agreement must be negotiated. This applies whether the content is created by Morph & Matter or by a third-party photographer.

Usage requiring prior written approval:

• Featuring Morph & Matter pieces in brand campaigns or styled shoots for marketing

• Selling images of Morph & Matter work (e.g., as prints or digital products)

• Using Morph & Matter work in press features, editorials, or catalogs

• Displaying Morph & Matter work publicly with attribution removed or altered

To request commercial use or licensing, please contact morphandmatter@gmail.com with intended use, distribution method, and duration of licensing required. Fees vary depending on the type of use, audience size, and reach.

Force Majeure

Morph & Matter shall not be held liable for delays or failure to perform due to circumstances beyond reasonable control. This includes but is not limited to: natural disasters, fire, flood, pandemic, war, personal illness, injury, supply chain disruption, or emergency studio closure. In such cases, the artist will contact affected clients as soon as possible with revised timelines or refund options, as appropriate.

Last Updated: August 2025