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
I used to feel that way as well. I have no friends that collect or buy RD, and it really helps to find a RD buddie… but with that being said.
I thought that l found someone to do a trade with. I sent my end of the trade a birdhouse and a fancy mug.. and you guessed it … l never got the other person’s part of the trade. I am out the prices of the products plus tax and about $20.00 for shipping charges.
I ended up buying what l wanted on Macari.
What really irritates me about trying to find ANYTHING in stores (especially WALMART), is that the EMPLOYEES put back any items THEY want, so that when you try to find an item, there are NONE left!! This ALWAYS happens at EVERY WALMART I shop at!! There needs to be a limit like “ONE PER CUSTOMER/EMPLOYEE.” I guess that won’t stop them from finding several “friends” to buy one each for them though.. Not fair that employees get to hoard everything before the public can purchase an item… 😔
That isn’t true for tjx stores. I work for tjx and Not one employee is allowed to put anything on hold. The customers always buy out everything leaving nothing for others. So the feeling you feel is definitely mutual from employees also. Corporate makes the rules and we have to follow them. Customers have more chances then we do. And customers usually buy and upset at over double the price. If a employee purchased and was caught upselling they would be fired. You definitely have better odds then employees. In ontario its VERY hard to find. The stated get soo much compared to here in Canada.
That’s bull. A Walmart associate would be terminated for “under stocking”. Stop whining.
Why don’t you just go get a job at Walmart and stop crying about it then?
This is a great read and I totally I agree with number 5. I’ve missed so many HTF items the first time around.
I’ve created a Rae Dunn master mug list with over 400 mugs. Would love for you to check it out and maybe use it in one of your blog posts?
On a separate note, where were the dining room chairs purchased? I love the off white distressed color.
Thank you! They are linked under the shop my home tab, under dining room.
Omg I just seen an “Andrew” mug in home goods this past weekend out here in NJ. If your still looking let me know I can try to grab it for you.
Unlike most of you I started my Rae Dunn collection one day by mistake. Walking the dish aisle at the local Goodwill I found a “Mamá and Papá” set. Then I said I’m going to start collecting. I don’t have a big collection I just started this year but I am hooked and my husband asks how many coffee mugs do I actually need?? Lol
Hi! I’ve seen the Andrew mug, too, in NJ. I can buy one and send it, if Nidia C. can’t for any reason.
Where do you find Rae Dunn plain mugs or dishes?
You should be able to find them now that the craze has gone down. I have a ton I am trying to get rid of and keep my containers because I hunted all over for them. The mugs are easy to collect next I know I had over 40 mugs.I have since downsize.
Hi…I am looking for a Rae Dunn “Coffee” mug. I have my “Tea” one, but, would love a coffee one for my husband to use!
Help!
Marianne from NJ
I found most of mine at Marshalls or Home Goods Belinda!
Does anyone know or has seen the coffee mug holder in there local Homegood TJMaxx or Marshals in NJ? I’ve looked everywhere and can’t find it and on Mercari people are selling it way to expensive
Not sure if you are still looking but they had three at the Home Goods/TJ Max in Bridgewater this morning.
Oh I love this and am a little late getting on the crazy collecting train . But I can’t help but think will it be another collection like my Boyd’s Bears and Precious Moments that my boys will just give away when I die !! Haha!!
Haha oh no I am sure they won’t! (As long as you tell them not to!)
Step away from the butter dish, and there wont be any trouble !
Haha!
I have two small naught & nice plates and 2 larger oval plates with nibble and 2 with taste on them. They are all capital/large letters. They are all marked Magenta dishwasher safe microwaveable-may get hot made in china. The 4 oval ones are more of a gray lettering while the 2 naughty & nice plates are black lettering. Can you tell me anything about these? Are they really Rae Dunn even they don’t say Rae Dunn? Any help/info is appreciated.
How rare is it to find a Rae Dunn item with out the Logo on it? I am 100% sure that it is a Rae Dunn item. It is just not stamped on the bottom? I would be happy to send pictures.
Hey there! You can always visit themodernrustichome.com to find in stock supply of Rae Dunn!
I love this blog! I’m so excited to find Rae Dunn Pottery!
Thanks so much! It’s great isn’t it!? ☺️
i started with a Rae Dunn mug i found at a thrift store for .99 then it snow balled i find 90% of mine at Goodwill, thrift stores and garage sales also market place , i’ve only bought one piece from Home Goods and that was the bread box, i love the hunt and i love RD ❤️👍🏽
Great finds! Love that. Rae Dunn is the best ☺️🙌🏻