Handbuilt Pottery Techniques Revealed: The Secrets of Handbuilding Shown in Unique Cutaway Photography

by Jacqui Atkin

Here are directions for many creative, fun-to-do pottery projects potters can follow to produce handsome finished objects without need of a potter's wheel. The author instructs in coil, slab, mold, and pinch techniques to produce pots, bowls, vases, tiles, and other decorative pieces. She also advises on acquiring basic tools, mixing and preparing clay, and using coloring agents. Newcomers to pottery crafting will especially appreciate her tips for making projects easier to accomplish, such as use of a hairdryer at regular intervals for drying out too-wet clay, and easy methods for keeping clay soft and pliable. Step-by-step color photos with detailed captions guide handcrafters through each project from start to finish. Many photos are of the cutaway type to show correct hand positions for controlling the clay, both inside and outside the form. Here's the book that takes the mystery out of handbuilding in clay, demonstrating each step in the pottery-making process. More than 400 color photos.

Genres: Art, Reference, Nonfiction, Crafts

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Carol]

I'm rating this without trying any of her demos, but they look quite well done. Will be a good reference book for my pottery students.

[Julia]

I bought this book a few hours before going to my second time doing pottery at a local workshop. I read it cover to cover. This book is easy to read and follow. I look forward to using it in the months and years ahead. The cutaway photography and graphic representations of ways to take the projects further give it an extra edge. At my pottery workshop, the potter said that she owned the book as well! Ie started making the bird out, and I feel confident that I will execute it well. The reason for the four stars and not the five is twofold: 1. I don't think it's necessary to have a chapter on creating moulds in a beginners book and (more importantly) 2. I feel that an explanation of the firing and glazing procedures are needed. Words deacribing glazing and firing are used throughout the book, but I don't understand what they mean whatsoever.

All in all, I am very happy I purchased this book.

[Crista Lash]

I may be late to reading this book, given that it was published over two decades ago. Some of the projects reflect that age and feel dated, but the techniques shared are incredibly useful, and I learned a lot from reading through them.

I did find myself a bit confused by the firing and glazing explanations and would have benefitted by having more clarity or background knowledge prior to reading the book but I will refer back after I’ve gained more knowledge on glazing & firing.

That said, it’s a book I know I’ll continue to return to, even though I’ve acquired books with more modern projects & finishes.

[James Hurley]

Lots of great ideas that can inspire countless other projects and all of it without a wheel! This is a handy book for the classroom teacher! I will be buying it for my bookshelf, even though I took copious notes!

[Edith]

3 1/2 stars. I've now read this several times, and used it to try to improve my coiled pots. I hope to move on to more ambitious pieces--we'll see how it goes. (Rating may change in the course of doing that.)

[Jess]

3.5 stars

[Ridgely]

I read it from cover to cover in a single evening. Not many technical manuals manage to be quite so fascinating. The projects inside provide excellent jumping-off points for original work. If you're into pottery, this is an excellent book. I lent it to my mentor and she hasn't given it back yet. I'd call that a stand-alone endorsement right there.

[Greta]

The nice thing about handbuilt pottery is that even a beginner can create something that looks halfway decent in a short amount of time. This book contained several interesting projects with clear, step-by-step directions which included photographs.

[Teresa]

Loved this so much I decided to buy it.

[Argosworks]

Great ideas, explained wee.

[Laura McDermott]

This book is just full of ideas for hand built pottery. Good for everyone from beginner to more advanced.

[Scott Andrews]

damn good

[LemontreeLime]

One of the best "cut away" type clay books on the market today. Atkin helps keep it fun and easy!