“The emphasis is on creativity and distinctiveness. This book is full of ideas.”—Library Journal. “Information-packed. It is extremely practical and clear in its presentation. The technical guidance is easy to follow [and] a gallery section is beautifully produced. An encouraging and motivating book.”—Ceramic Review. “Sure to ignite inspiration.”—International Ceramic Art Review.

Imagine making serving dishes perfectly suited to the food you're preparing--perhaps a cone-shaped bowl on a pedestal, filled with shrimp and corn, with the husks shooting up gracefully. What an impression this would make on your guests...and what a pleasure for your family to sit down to such a beautifully prepared table. With clay, and guidance by a best-selling author who's a real pro at ceramics, it's simple to hand-build stylish, customized tableware that's just like the pieces you covet in pricey galleries. Even beginners will easily follow the illustrated instructions for making slabs, extruding, molding, and more. Every seasonally themed project showcases a complete table setting, with a delicious extra in each--a teapot in one, a pitcher in another--and features a new technique to try out. For more creative inspiration, four top potters share detailed expertise in the special section on surface decoration: they'll reveal the reasons behind their stylistic choices and walk you through the entire process. And, if you're a "rebel" who likes to do it your own way, the book is simply packed with options for adapting and substituting!

Written for the general reader with an interest in ceramics, Handbuilt Ceramics is a big, colorful, and complete how-to manual for shaping clay without a potter’s wheel. Features 8 projects, complete with materials lists, clear step-by-step instructions, and detailed “how-to” color photos.

Atkin takes the mystery out of hand-building by showing precisely what happens at each point in the process. Simple, creative projects clearly illuminate coil, slab, molds, and pinch techniques--all demonstrated in clear step-by-step photos.

"Scotchie gives us an insider's look at [how to] assemble vibrant, creative studio spaces. Floor plans are provided...The photographs are excellent."--Library Journal Take a photographic tour of 10 beautiful ceramics studios, and discover exactly how and why each design so perfectly meets the artist's particular needs. Author and ceramist Virginia Scotchie covers all the practical decisions about equipment, workflow, and safety that go into setting up a new studio, from using the space effectively and dealing with lighting, electrical, and ventilation needs, to establishing a small business office. Every ceramist will find inspiration in Michael Sherrill's spacious and adaptable studio, so suited to his large-scale sculptures; Alice Munn's intimate and tidy atelier; and Ben Owen III's highly organized layout, arranged for volumes of production work and featuring a separate gallery.

Delineates basic methodology and suggests variations in the craft of handbuilding with clay, with a study of and illustrations of the work of ten professional ceramicists

In Handbuilt, A Potter's Guide, pottery expert Melissa Weiss shows you the basics of crafting without a wheel, how to harvest and work wild clay, and using natural glazes. Handbuilt pottery is the perfect way for new potters to dive into this unique medium because it doesn't require access to a potter's wheel. In Handbuilt, A Potter's Guide, Melissa Weiss takes an organic approach to harvesting and working with local clays, and even shows you how to mix your own glazes to use on functional pottery for use at home. Students of pottery the world over have traveled to North Carolina to attend Weiss's classes. Now you don't have to! In this book, Melissa provides you with a solid course on slab and pinch-pot techniques that allow beginning students to master the basics and progress through finished wares. Looking to go a little deeper? Melissa also offers her unique knowledge of how to dig and process local clays for use in pottery, and for the techniques she has developed for creating unique glazes with ash, salt, and other dry materials. Melissa will also introduce you talented contemporary potters, who will share their work, tips, advice, and techniques. Learn the basics of handbuilding and more with this engaging guide.

A comprehensive guide to Fransciscan hand-decorated embossed dinnerware manufactured in the United States by Gladding, McBean & Co. from 1940 to 1984. Patterns include Apple, Desert Rose, Wild Flowers, Ivy, Fruit, California Poppy, October, Forget-Me-Not, Strawberry Fair, Strawberry Time, Fresh Fruit, Bountiful, Rosette, and Bouquet. Also includes company history, values, sizes, and extensive shape listings.

A highly illustrated step-by-step guide to designing and making contemporary tableware in clay, featuring inspirational pieces by leading designers. 'This book is a go to book for the art of creating tableware... The level of experience between the pages of this book from Sue and Linda is unquestionably invaluable to the reader.' Keith Brymer Jones, Master Potter and judge on The Great Pottery Throw Down The tableware we use is very important in our everyday lives, whether plates, bowls, mugs, cups or teapots. This stylishly illustrated guide helps budding and established ceramicists alike to create practical and attractive ranges, starting with design principles, working through appropriate construction techniques, and leading on to decoration and finishes. Leading designers Sue Pryke and Linda Bloomfield explain the importance of inspiration and consistency in design, providing step-by-step guides to the main making methods, which include hand building, pinching, coiling, throwing and slipcasting. They also offer advice on using various clay materials – such as recycled and reused clay bodies – and the combination of clay with other materials including wood, metal, textiles and synthetics. Tips are provided on glaze fit, dishwasher- and microwave-safe glazes, firing and finishing. Featuring beautiful photographs of the work of such prominent tableware makers as Sasha Wardell, James and Tilla Waters, Reiko Kaneko and Nico Conti, there are many sources of inspiration for those wishing to further their tableware ambitions.