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Handbuilt, A Potter's Guide: Master timeless techniques, explore new forms, dig and process your own clay
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.
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.
- GenresArtNonfiction
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2018
59 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 27, 2020
A beautiful book about organic clay work. Things like ash glazes, kurinuki, slap building, wood firing are all discussed here. She has a beautiful earthy color palette which inspires me to experiment more with natural glazes. I must say I'm a bit surprised she didn't go deeper about the firing process... things like smoke firing and raku are not discussed, even though I believe it totally deserves a spot between chapters like digging your own clay and rough kitchenware.
There are also ''get to know the artist'' interviews included... just a short introduction in who they are and what they do. Interesting if you feel like exploring more work by other artists just for the sake of inspiration, as they don't really share secrets or recipes.
Melissa however shares a few short tutorials like kurinuki, making a mold, building a moon vase etc and also a few basic glaze recipes... however I would recommend for a beginner to follow some real life classes first, as mixing glazes and using a kiln can be rather dangerous. For someone who already has some experience with ceramics, they will find the book is easy to follow and try out.
There are also ''get to know the artist'' interviews included... just a short introduction in who they are and what they do. Interesting if you feel like exploring more work by other artists just for the sake of inspiration, as they don't really share secrets or recipes.
Melissa however shares a few short tutorials like kurinuki, making a mold, building a moon vase etc and also a few basic glaze recipes... however I would recommend for a beginner to follow some real life classes first, as mixing glazes and using a kiln can be rather dangerous. For someone who already has some experience with ceramics, they will find the book is easy to follow and try out.
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August 16, 2023This book was really helpful & filled in a lot of knowledge gaps. I also love & live for interviews and appreciated folks talking about their work in their own words.
However, almost if not all potters interviewed were white Americans. One went so far to detail her “inspiration” from indigenous and African (Zulu) pottery & basket weaving. There was definitely very recognizable appropriation and theft in her work.
All in all worth the read but I am excited to investigate regional methods authored and crafted by the communities that created those forms.
However, almost if not all potters interviewed were white Americans. One went so far to detail her “inspiration” from indigenous and African (Zulu) pottery & basket weaving. There was definitely very recognizable appropriation and theft in her work.
All in all worth the read but I am excited to investigate regional methods authored and crafted by the communities that created those forms.
May 29, 2019
Such a great guide for beginners and pros alike! Very clear instructions for handbuilding projects accompanied by useful photographs. The book also has mini interviews with professional potters about a variety of topics. I really liked the vibe of the whole book and Melissa Weiss's work is gorgeous.
September 10, 2022
Clear instructions on hand building different items and in different styles such as kurinuki, coil and slab work. Mentions when to surform, how thick coils to use, etc. In between are interviews with other pottery hand builders.
May 2, 2019
Excellent!
June 25, 2025
A clear, inspiring guide to handbuilding pottery. Great for beginners and intermediate potters with beautiful photos, practical tips, and doable projects.
March 31, 2019
This is a coffee table book or rather a book that you put in your magazine basket in the restroom. No self respecting ceramics artist should read this book
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews