SIX TIPS FOR FINDING RAE DUNN POTTERY
Today I am sharing everything I know about Rae Dunn Pottery, including where to find Rae Dunn and how to start your own Rae Dunn collection.
Let’s face it. Have you ever found yourself in the parking lot in front of Homegoods at 9:25 am waiting for them to open? Have you ever followed people into TJMaxx convinced they are heading to the “white dishes aisle” too? Or have you noticed that every recycled bag you own has a TJ Maxx logo on it?
If you can answer “yes” to all three of these questions then you are truly a Rae Dunn addict.
I have no idea how Rae Dunn pottery became so popular but the buying frenzy surrounding these white pottery dishes with handwritten black letters on them reminds me a lot of the Beanie Baby craze in the late 1990’s. In both cases, women all over the country were lining up to buy a very inexpensive item that was high on demand and short in supply.
Trust me, I know all of this because I am right there with you. I love Rae Dunn Pottery. I read all of the “Rae Dunn B/S/T” group posts on Facebook and used to check the Mercari app on my iphone daily to check the prices of the “hard to find” items.
A lot of people don’t even know who Rae Dunn is. Rae Dunn is a California native and resides in the San Francisco, Bay Area. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Design and worked in graphics and fashion design for several years before discovering clay, which has now been her passion since 1994.
Rae Dunn pottery (with the big letters) is currently sold primarily at HomeGoods, TJMaxx, and Marshalls. There are a few products on the Magenta website but most of them are Rae’s other pottery designs (not the big letter ones). The supply has been way less than the demand and unfortunately, there used to be a lot of “shelf cleaners” who travel from store to store to buy all of the product and then resell. Sadly, a lot of these “resellers” have made arrangements with the stores where they can call and have all of the items held for them. They infiltrated the stores, got to know the employees and basically were able to buy the product before everyone else. Although there is a lot of Rae Dunn pottery available for purchase, there are way more buyers than inventory.
It seems that things are changing. Apparently corporate at TJMaxx is aware of the problem and they have told stores they are no longer allowed to respond to calls about their Rae Dunn inventory and also cannot hold the Rae Dunn items for anyone. It also seems there is a bit more inventory on the shelves.
Where have I found Rae Dunn dishes and Rae Dunn mugs? TJ Maxx has been my best source for my Rae Dunn Collection. I usually shop the aisles quickly at TJ Maxx looking for new Rae Dunn items anytime I am in the store.
I have also found a lot of Rae Dunn clearance items in the stores. Be sure to check the clearance aisle because you just might find Rae Dunn on sale!
I often get asked if I use my Rae Dunn collection. Of course, I do! I love to set tables with my collection and I even wrote a blog post titled How to Set a Table with Rae Dunn.
I used my Rae Dunn for a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.
Look at this adorable Christmas table I set with these holiday-themed Rae Dunn dishes!
I also use my canisters every single day.
If you are wondering why I have two coffee canisters, one is for regular and one is for decaf.
So far I have only been able to find one mug with my boy’s names on it. If you see a mug for Andrew and/or Matthew let me know!
Over the years I have been really lucky and have found quite a bit of Rae Dunn dishes on the shelves (hence the photos above). But I think I have been smart about my shopping and I am happy to share my tips with you.
S I X T I P S F O R F I N D I N G R A E D U N N
- Follow the Rae Dunn Facebook groups so you are aware of what products are being released in the stores. That way you will know what to look for! When the flower pots first came out a lot of collectors were only looking in the dishes aisle and they missed them! When the office products were released the same thing happened.
- Talk to the people who work at your local store. They will tell you which days and times they receive shipments. This will help you to determine the best time to shop.
- Check for the pottery in the store aisles but check more than once. I can’t tell you how many times I have walked right past canisters and flower pots!
- Check the merchandise carts. I have found at least half of my collection on the carts in the aisles!
- If you are looking for mugs, be aware most stores stock them in three to four different places. Check everywhere as you just might find them where you least expect it.
- Don’t just shop when the store opens. I have found some of my best items when stopping by a store in the afternoon. One time I happened to glance through the door to the stockroom. Sitting right there in plain view were two teapots on the shelf of an empty cart. I waited patiently and when a stock boy came out I nicely asked him if I could buy them. He happily loaded them into my cart. (In hindsight, I now realize that the two teapots were probably “on hold” for someone since they were sitting there all alone. Oh well, sorry about that!).
Good luck with shopping. I hope you don’t get frustrated if you can’t find what you are looking for. Keep trying and you just might find that RaeDunn unicorn!
I also had a personal conversation with Rae about how to take care and use her pottery. You can find that blog post here.
For more real-time updates, follow me on Instagram @My100YearOldHome
Reminds me of the Beanie Baby craze. Can’t give them away today. Sorry to be a wet blanket, but I was so shocked when I realized that collecting this stuff has a downside. A warning might not be out of place.
Until finding this blog I had no idea about RD pottery. But I’ve been there myself, collecting flowered monthly birthday plates, pink British Castles dinnerware, etc. But now it’s all dated and out of fashion.
You can get a real feel for this shocking situation when you go in thrift stores and see your mom/grandma’s old dinnerware and table’/kitchenware. Too cheap, but also too out of date.
Hope this doesn’t happen to you avid collectors. Still, it’s interesting reading your collecting stories.
Now I’ll know to watch out for collectors and to keep from being knocked over when i get into TJM on my next trip to the city. LOL
My sister just left from a visit and asked me if I knew about this line. I’ve seen so many of these things and had no idea what they were. I am in Marshalls, HomeGoods TJ Maxx all the time because that’s where I happened to shop for myself and my family. How do I know what is new versus old? I’d like to purchase things for her that I may come across but would prefer to send the “harder to find” or “older” pieces. For example I came across the beachy mugs and plates” sit, rest and relax”. There was so many assumed it was new but looking for a new doggie bed I found square plates with a colorful cat wearing berret and a mug that daid “meow”. A cat lover she was definitely appreciative but I had no way of knowing what would be considered an ideal piece versus a new design. Any ideas of how I figure this out? Like clothing and their spring vs. Fall collection…
I work at TjMaxx and it is and has been against store policy to hold Rae Dunn anything. It flies off the cart, I mean it doesn’t even make to the the isle. Your best bet is early!
Love Rae Dunn however my stores only stock the smaller letters and the dog and cat bowls it’s so frustrating. It’s crazy what people are selling these for.
Hi I’m literally new at Rae Dunn ..I don’t even know how I can identify them from the “fake ones” I went to TJ MAx and literally I feel like almost with a panicky attack..so many cups there yes but I can identify the real ones ..may you post a pic from the bottom ..please!! Sorry for my silly, confusing message maybe but for me your answer would be priceless
Tip ;do not go into the stock room . Another Tip :hold items are not allowed to be left in the stock room on a cart . It’s a company policy if you see it , they are breaking policy. Please do not help yourself to the merchandise carts you could get hurt ! It’s not appropriate . Ask an associate to look for you. We are happy to assist . We do not hold Rae Dunn.First come first serve is fair. Ps we get a truck everyday sometimes Saturday and during the holidays Sunday too!
Awesome. You are so nice to share these additional tips. Last time I was in Home Goods I witnessed a very ugly fight over a Rae Dunn canister. Are you kidding me? I just can’t believe some people. So sorry you have to deal with this!
Are there different sizes in the canisters? I found some that someone was selling on instagram but they are so small. I’m really disappointed as I spent quite a bit for them.
The coffee and flour canister are the largest. Then the tea canister is the next largest. The sugar one is pretty small. I wish she made it larger! But each canister only comes in one size.
I was so surprise that the worker @ Marshall today Norfolk on little Creek Rd was holding creamer dishes for a customer & I ask was it any more she had attuide and said do you see any & walk away ????
I wish we could stop stocking Rae Dunn all together. The horrendous behavior of “collectors” at our store has become frightening.
I’m an associate at tjmaxx. We try to gradually stick our Rae Dunn in order to stop the bulk buyers who just resell. I would definitely check around the holiday season as our stores get more merchandise around this time.
That makes me so happy! I hate even coming at opening because there are some cut throat shoppers. I even saw a fight break out once. Seriously?? I missed all of the Halloween and thanksgiving items. Hoping to find some Christmas items!
I don’t mean to sound angry, but perhaps I’m disappointed in TJ Maxx’s Marketing procedure. What TJ Max Associate would get involved in how much Rae Dunn product is being sold?? Whether or not it’s being sold in volume pieces or by the “each”. TJ Maxx is still making it’s profit. Just put out all of the Rae Dunn products. No holding for Managers, Associates, Friends or Regular Customers. The Rae Dunn merchandise should be available to all customers.
So I’ve been a Marshall’s before and was recently rehired for the holiday season. I️ had been an associate for 3 n half years before I️ decided to move on and we sold Rae Dunn all day everyday and had plenty of it. I️ never payed much attention to it but really did think it was cute and bought an adorable mug one day at the end of my shift that had a bird on it that said chirp. I️ just loved it since my nick name is bird. After being rehired recently I️ quickly learned Rae Dunn is sooo popular now and I’ve come to find out that the mug I️ bought is worth some money now! Who knew?! Well I’m in on the craze and totally going against what the other employees think about Rae Dunn. I️ love the simple design and how cute it is!
Hi there,
Does anyone know if the salt and pepper cellars are completely sold out – or do I have to pay $60 for the set online somewhere?
Thanks in advance!
I don’t understand the fuss about these objects. In little while, they will end up on thrift store shelves, as the next fad takes hold. No wonder some people are making big bucks–the sellers–and others are paving the way to the poorhouse–the buyers. I wish someone would explain just what is so appealing about this quite ordinary dishware.
People like it because it’s very humble and imperfect looking and fits in great with the farmhouse style which is currently trending. As someone who collected English chintzware for years, I have to say it’s a lot easier to find and more fun because it’s so affordable. When I was collecting chintzware a plate might go for $100.
I just found my very first Rae Dunn at Home Goods Valencia today. Picked up two canisters at $8 and $9 a piece and four fun mugs at 4.99 each. The canisters have tiny type on them instead of the big letters. One says eat and one says roll. They are too cute. Two of my mugs have the large lettering. One says tea and one says imagine. Love. The second two mugs are painted Aqua inside and say create and dream on the front. Pretty good for my first try. I saw a young man come in and he filled a cart with about 9 or 10 mugs. I think he was a RD hoarder.
I am so glad you found some Rae Dunn. That’s awesome.
I just begging buying Rae donn two weeks ago and have found some pieces in tjmaxx and Marshalls, I have been looking for them on internet and the prices are ridiculous. But I haven’t found a dinner plate, all the plates are server platters, can anyone tell me which of the plates can be used as dinner plates?.
I think she had some a few years ago. But I have never seen any.
You have an amazing collection! I’m always so happy for people who are able to collect for personal, daily use!
I live in Rural Iowa and I cannot just simply stop in to any store as they open. I literally am two hours from anyone who carries Rae Dunn. It is so frustrating because resellers are price gouging and I have a hard time find anything online. Prices are 3-5 times more than retail. I love it and I want a few pieces, not all of the pieces, but I realize I will likely never find them.
It stinks living so rural, I have an unfair disadvantage, and online retailers aren’t helpful, either.
PS, I have a 100 year old home, too.
I just heard yesterday that we will no longer be able to find Rae Dunn at TJ, HG, or Marshalls as of December 31st as RD will be sold at Pottery Barn only. Does that mean that Pottery Barn will be acquiring RD? The price gouging is out of hand and the shipping prices are ridiculous. I do wonder if the designs will change. I am a fan of the large letters “LL”.I am up early to go to a HG/Marshalls this morning. I am mostly a picker for my daughter-in-law. However, I have fallen for the gnomes and the Easter line.I have seen the frenzy first hand with people ripping items out of my hands. So sad that it has come to this.
I just heard back from Rae Dunn herself and she said it’s not true. No change and Pottery Barn will not be selling her items.
It’s not true I work at TJ Maxx! ???? this stuff goes like hot cakes for sure, lol.
Love this! I started my obsession because of the practicality (sizes, shapes) and the imperfections….my collection is mostly the basic stuff (dont live close enough to the stores in Ontario that carry them) but its become morning fun, for my fiance to pick out my morning ‘word’ lol! An employee at the store closest to us told my fiance that there is an employee there that buys all the good stuff herself and resells it (cant believe that is allowed) which explains why i can never find cannisters, pitchers, bakeware etc! But luckily, I am the only one of my family and friends who collect this so they all check everytime they are in! My fiance says i have an “army” hunting lmao!