Handbuilt Ceramics: Pinching, Coiling, Extruding, Molding, Slip Casting, Slab Work

This book is wonderful. The writing is clear and concise, the project instructions have enough detail to give you confidence for execution and experimentation. The photos are good quality and inspirational. In the short time I have owned this, I have used it in adult and children's classes. For smaller children who want to rush to the wheel, the book gives excellent examples of what can be accomplished with handbuilding.The book lit a creative fire for new 6 year-old potters and this old, experienced potter.

I turned to this book after being "stuck" with wheel throwing--I just can't think of anything to make on the wheel that appeals to me right now. The pictures and techniques have freshened my creativity and inspiration, and are leading me to explore new techniques and develop new skills that I will eventually combine with wheel-thrown pieces. My favorite aspect of the book is the variety of styles that are shown in the beautiful pictures--there really is something for everyone in here. The directions are comprehensive and clear. Thank you, Kathy, for bringing back the excitement I felt when I first started working with clay. An amazing book! I'm not allowed to come to class without it, and other class members have made trips to the book store to pick up their own copy.

This book is actually three books in one. First, it contains a large collection (310 images) of beautiful color plates showing a huge variety of ceramic work in a wide variety of styles that is nothing short of inspirational. This alone is worth the price of the book. It is the equal of any museum exhibition or juried ceramics show book I've seen. Secondly, it is an excellent basic-through-advanced 'encyclopedia' of handbuilt terms, techniques and materials written in a clear, unambiguous style with carefully photographed examples that clearly illustrate the topic being discussed. The text and photos combine to make this book an absolute pleasure to read. You never have to scratch your head and wonder if you understand -- everything is clearly and perfectly explained. And finally, the book contains a series of eight projects which serve to thoroughly introduce the basics of handbuilding with clear, 'how-to' photographs accompanying the text which serve to demonstrate exactly what is being talked about. There is also a materials list and a step-by-step discussion of problems, pitfalls, and the techniques involved. This book would be a bargain at three times the price.

This book has many new ideas and projects using timeless techniques of coiling, pinching and extruding. This book is so popular with my students that it has indefinitely dissappeared from my studio! I now have two books and may purchase a third.!

This is one of the best instructional books I have purchased on handbuilt pottery techniques. It contains beautiful color photographs and excellent detailed instructions for numerous handbuilding projects. It also contains several glaze recipes as well as problems and solutions in the glazing and firing processes. This is, by far, my favorite pottery reference book as I have not mastered the wheel-throwing process. This book will inspire every handbuilding potter.