Last updated: 20/08/2026‍ ‍

At Nic's Knacks, everything is handmade — which means everything is made with care. Here's what goes into our pottery and our face paints, and how to use and care for them safely.

Pottery

Materials: Every piece is hand-built or thrown from stoneware or earthenware clay and finished with glazes fired to the correct temperature for a durable surface. Not all pieces are food-safe — where a piece is intended for food or drink contact, it's finished with glazes that are certified food-safe, lead-free and cadmium-free.

Handmade means one-of-a-kind: Because each piece is shaped and glazed by hand, you might notice small variations in colour, texture or shape from piece to piece — that's not a flaw, that's the handmade part. Any variation that could affect how a piece functions will always be disclosed in the product listing.

Food, oven & dishwasher use: Unless a listing says otherwise, assume pieces are decorative only — not intended for food contact, the microwave, oven or dishwasher. Where a piece is food-safe, this will be stated clearly in the listing, along with any care instructions (e.g. hand-wash recommended, avoid extreme temperature changes).

A note on small pieces: Items like jewellery dishes and small decorative pieces rarely contain removable parts, but ceramics are breakable and can chip or crack if dropped. Keep out of reach of small children and pets who might mistake them for a toy.

Care tips

• Hand-wash with a soft cloth where possible

• Avoid sudden temperature changes (e.g. hot piece into cold water)

• Store somewhere stable, away from edges or high traffic areas, so pieces aren't knocked or dropped

Face Paint

Materials: We use professional-grade, cosmetic-certified face paints, formulated to meet Australian cosmetic safety standards. These are the same product grades used industry-wide for children's and adult event work — they are not craft paints or costume makeup.

Sensitive skin & allergies: As with any cosmetic product, reactions are occasionally possible even with high-quality, hypoallergenic-formulated paints. If you or your child has particularly sensitive skin, known allergies, or a skin condition (such as eczema), please let us know before your booking so we can talk through options — and we're always happy to do a small patch test on request.

Application & removal

• Paint is applied only to clean, unbroken skin — never over cuts, rashes, or irritated areas

• Avoid the eye area with certain products; if any product enters the eyes, rinse thoroughly with water

• Face paint should be removed with warm water and a gentle cleanser or micellar water within the same day

• If any redness, itching or irritation occurs, remove the paint promptly and rinse with water

Not intended for

• Broken, sunburnt or irritated skin

• Children under 3 years

• Anyone with a known allergy to cosmetic-grade paint ingredients (ingredient lists available on request)

Questions?

If you'd like more detail on any material, glaze, or paint ingredient used in a specific piece or booking, reach out here — we're always happy to share what goes into our work.

This information is provided to help you make informed choices and does not limit your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.