Handbuilt: A Modern Potter's Guide to Handbuilding with Clay

by Lilly Maetzig

Create a collection of 23 stylish homewares with this modern guide to working with clay.

Covering the oldest and most traditional ways to make pots, Handbuilt is a beginner's guide to hand building with clay – no pottery wheel required. This book will teach you the building blocks to working with clay and how to apply a professional finish to your pots including decoration, glazing and firing techniques. Learn how to create a collection of 22 stylish homeware designs using the three core coiling, pinching and slab building.

Beginning with the basics to get you started, discover how to wedge clay, add texture and work with moulds, then put your new skills to the test through the projects that include coffee cups, a tea pot, vase, dinner plates, candle holders and more.

Packed with stunning lifestyle photography to help inspire your own handmade journey alongside clear step-by-steps and Lilly's expert tips will lead you through the process, Handbuilt is the ultimate modern guide this popular, tactile and ancient craft.

Genres: Crafts

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great guide for people who’ve done a little pottery and want to know more: the technicalities behind it and how to improve their technique.
Not for the absolute beginner and not to replace in person instruction, but to understand better what you’re being told and why you’re doing what you’re doing.
A bit more on decoration techniques would have been great, but there are other books all about that.

[Crista Lash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a new potter (ceramist? still figuring out the right term!) and I read this book alongside taking a class. It answered so many questions I had — including ones I didn’t even realize I had.

The project guidance is in the book is fantastic - I’ve already started working on several of them - the projects make beautiful pieces. I love having the book in the studio as a reference.

On top of being incredibly helpful, this book is also beautiful enough to display as a coffee table book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have twenty pounds of clay leftover from a wheel throwing class. My idea is to make some hand built items out of this. The directions in the book are straightforward and I quite like the slightly wonky items made with the techniques.

[Kirsten Thijssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The styling/paper quality/photography is very good. The author shares clear descriptions of the projects and has templates available for download. I’ve been handbuilding for years but picked up some next facts and tricks from this book!

[Jordan Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself was good, but the ebook is a crime. It’s missing half of the photos, which is a big deal when you’re trying to visualize instructions.