Pottery & Ceramics:
• Firing
• General Ceramics
• Glazes
• Handbuilding
• Moldmaking & Casting
• Sculpture
• Surface & Design
• Wheelthrowing

Fired Arts & Materials:
• Enameling
• Glass
• Jewelry
• Tile

Special Projects:
• Kids & Clay

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A growing number of potters fire their work to a middle range of temperatures, of which cone 6 is typical. In Glazes Cone 6, Michael Bailey surveys this growing trend in middle temperature firing and guides the reader with practical information. He discusses a range of different glazes, including special effects, glaze stains, and underglaze colors, giving recipes and tips to ensure success. The info is illustrated with many colorful glaze tests (all fired in electric kilns) to show the variety and scope of glazes at cone 6.

A workshop in a book, revealing the unlimited possibilities of handbuilding.With Shay Amber's simple and basic approach to handbuilding, you can learn how to make both sculptural and useful forms. She shares fundamental techniques and 12 projects on which to practice, including a coiled bottle, wall pocket, carved lantern, applique tile, and a square plate. Amber also introduces you to surface decoration and glaze treatments. In addition, you'll find inspiring gallery sections highlighting other artists' works.

Developing your own glazes can be tricky and success is dependent on many factors. In this book, ceramicist Greg Daly aims to demystify the process with practical advice and complete, step-by-step instructions for testing glazes and experimenting with ingredients. This hands-on technical guidance is supported with helpful how-to images, and variations on hundreds of recipes to get you started. This book is simply an essential reference!

This book is just like having an expert on call, 24/7, with answers to any ceramic questions or dilemmas you might have. Step-by-step photos, diagrams and clear instructions guide you through each stage of your work, or you can look up details for help with a particular problem. Discover how to improvise tools from kitchen implements, find a shortcut to rolling faultless coils, and more valuable techniques hard-won from real experience. Every section features "fix-it" and "try-it" panels, suggesting ways to practice or develop your skills and avoid common errors.

This book is dedicated to helping potters identify quickly the nature, causes and remedies of a multitude of difficulties that can arise during pottery production. Comprehensive and easy to use, it has aleady proved itself to be an enormously helpful source of reference for craft potters and those working in the ceramic industry. The second edition has been fully redesigned with colour illustrations and the text has been revised, updated and expanded to reflect new developments.

This comprehensive reference is a road map for the limitless shapes and forms, colors, and decorations of pottery: it is a starting point for personal exploration. This practical reference presents a multitude of great glaze recipes and how to create them. More than 700 individual glazes are vividly displayed.

A growing number of ceramic artists choose not to glaze their work. Instead they use unglazed -- naked -- surfaces to achieve their design objectives. From slips and terra sigillata to burnishing, engobes, oxide washes and additions to the clay body, these artists employ a wide range of techniques to achieve desirable finishes. The scope of the work produced by these artists is enormous. Jane Perryman presents the finished ceramics and techniques of an international group of artists, but also investigates their ideas and areas of inspiration to further an understanding of their work. This book will not only inform and inspire students, professionals and teachers, but it will also fascinate collectors and anyone interested in contemporary ceramics.

From concept and design to forming and firing -- not to mention chemistry, thermodynamics, math, color theory, history, and a host of other skills -- the 30 artists in this book discuss their techniques, and also the thoughts and reasons behind their methods. All types of forming methods, from handbuilding to slipcasting, are illustrated in detailed photo sequences, along with surface techniques that cover the gamut of decorative possibilities.

Celebrating a Decade in Clay

If the "500" books presented the best work in categories of contemporary ceramics like animals, sculpture, or teapots, then this book is the "best of the best!" This book is a time capsule of all the 500 books over the last ten years, juried by top ceramicists and enlivened with expert commentary.

This magnificent gallery includes pieces from an international group of artists. The beautifully crafted works range from the representational to the abstract, from artful realism to provocative surrealism (including animal-human hybrids).

The amazing beauty and variety in these 500 bowls is a testament to the imagination and inventiveness of today's ceramicists. Every technique from across the globe, many perfected through centuries of time, is beautifully presented here. The vast array of styles will inspire you to find and express your own unique artistic vision.

The successful 500 series shines a spotlight on today's most breathtaking ceramic sculptures. Selected from more than 8,000 entries, these exquisite works will inspire beginning and professional ceramists, as well as collectors and enthusiasts. Every work is amazing!

Art that delights the senses and reflects how varied our perception of the cup can be. Sumptuous photographs capture the work of master ceramists and reveal the limitless artistic potential of the cup. From handbuilt to wheelthrown, functional to sculptural, round to square, organic to avant-garde, the cups that grace these pages are unique expressions of ceramic mastery. Whether inspired by ancient pottery or contemporary conceptual art, the works in this eclectic collection represent today's best.

Expressing the human form through ceramics. This extraordinary photographic collection features 500 contemporary figurative pieces from today's most accomplished ceramists. The diverse and captivating work displayed here decisively demonstrates why no artistic subject is as intriguing or as powerful as the human figure.

Plates and chargers can be more than places to put your food: they can be glorious art to show off on a table, sideboard, or hutch. These 500 spectacular pieces range from the utilitarian (yet beautifully glazed) plate to dramatically decorated work, and they’re crafted from a remarkable variety of materials—including pristine porcelain and bold earthenware.

Raku is an ancient ceramic technique currently experiencing a renaissance thanks to the outstanding work of modern ceramists. Now yu can discover the vigor and invention of today's raku through 500 wide-ranging pieces chosen by juror Jim Romberg, a leading studio artist and teacher in the field.

A fabulous source book with 500 of the most creative teapots ever. From handbuilt to wheel-thrown, functional to sculptural, traditional to funky, there’s a bit of everything in this artistic celebration. Some find inspiration in classic Asian designs. Others take a figurative approach. Still more look to the natural world. Browse through a variety of surface treatments, from intricate carved forms to narrative painted patterns.

From press-molded pieces to carved works showcasing spectacular surface treatments, these magnificent tiles will inspire beginners and professionals, as well as collectors and enthusiasts. Some of the larger handcrafted displays here were made to decorate public and private spaces; others use single tiles to interpret nature, tell a story, or make a bold cultural observation. As always in this acclaimed series, all the contributors are accomplished artists, renowned in the field.

The ceramic vase reveals itself as much more than a utilitarian object in this expansive survey of contemporary work. There are pieces that tell stories, resemble chickens, feature incised designs, or have highly textured surfaces. This juried collection encourages us to go far beyond our expectations and consider what a vase cam be both as a vessel and a work of art.

Ceramicists searching for new ways to fire their creations now have a wealth of options. James Watkins and Paul Wandless, along with a group of distinguished artisans, demonstrate in detail how to build low-cost, low-tech, yet high-quality kilns. The plans range from an easy, affordable, and versatile Raku Kiln to a unique wood-fueled Downdraft Stovepipe Barrel one. These clever devices make it possible to produce rich surface effects from alternative reduction firing techniques.

Electric kilns are wonderful! They're so readily available and relatively simple to install that nearly every ceramic artist now uses electric kilns in some capacity in their studios for their control and dependability. In this book you'll discover the contributions of studio artists who use electric kilns. They share with you their experimentations, their research, and their artistic successes so you can build on what they've learned. Filled with up-to-date information on processes, glazes, tools, materials and techniques.

From ancient cultures down through time to contemporary potters: this book covers techniques of firing and finishing at low temperatures without using glazes. You can use these alternative smoke, pit, saggar and raku techniques even on a low budget: the only real requirement is that you have outdoor space where you can work. This book is a practical step-by-step approach and beginner's guide, with illustrations and photographs for inspiration.

Novice ceramists and those already familiar with raku will both learn and expand their skills as artists with the guidance of this authoritative, technique-based book. Mastering Raku covers the basics like appropriate clays and pottery-forming techniques, firing, and embellishing techniques. This comprehensive guide goes beyond the fundamentals to offer advanced techniques that will encourage further development and creative growth. Steve Branfman's "Mastering Raku" is the definitive reference on this unique form of ceramics.

Raku is more than just a technique: it's a way of thinking with an attitude of openness to the unexpected and a willingness to use accidental happenings in developing your work. Raku encourages curiosity and exploration, and there's no end to the variety and quality possible in this medium. John Mathieson provides a clear and concise overview of the raku process, covering all the essentials of clay types, post-firing reduction methods, and equipment, plus tips and techniques shared by 30 experts on topics spanning the entire raku process from conception to final reduction.

Raku, pit and barrel firing are three of the most popular firing techniques in ceramics today. The unifying theme of all three accessible techniques lies in working directly with the fire to achieve both quick and unique results not available to more conventional firing techniques. You'll find extensive how-to techniques and step-by-step instructions to help you duplicate these three processes in your own studio, plus many photos of some of the most beautiful alternatively fired work.

An introduction to the centuries-old art of enameling, written clearly and passionately by a leader in the field. Covers all the popular traditional techniques (cloisonne, champleve, and plique-a-jour) to contemporary and experimental. Find even more new creative possibilities in the firing! Includes great information about setting up a workspace for enameling, and 14 projects to help you get started.

30 Fired & Inspired Projects

Make a variety of gorgeous bead jewelry projects using low-fire ceramics with a wide range of glazes in dazzling colors. Whether you want to replicate the look of traditional majolica or the brilliant sheen of metal, you'll learn a series of techniques that will enable you to achieve many attractive effects.

Although ceramic beads have been around for as long as pots have, the idea of ceramic jewelry has been making a comeback in a much more glamorous and professional form than ever before. This book shows how clay can be combined with other materials including silver, gold, leather, textiles or stones to create unique and innovative pieces. The book looks at how to source or create your own fittings and findings, the problems of design and the practicalities of joining the various elements to create successful pieces of jewelry.

Thanks to the availability of affordable kilns and the vast creative potential of the material, glass crafts keep growing in popularity. There's no better place to learn the essentials of the art than this superbly photographed full-color manual. It introduces beginners to three major, accessible techniques for creating a variety of pieces--fusing, painting, and lampwork. The 32 elegant, hands-on projects range from a shimmering oval mirror to a vase sparkling with lusters and crystal ice.

A comprehensive look at kiln-fired glass, covering a multitude of techniques from fusing and slumping to casting and pate de verre, complete with graphs of the firing cycle for each skill. Also includes information on various types of glass, their compatibility, and their behavior during firing. Invaluable tips tell how to avoid unexpected and unwanted effects, and also how to create a range of different results and finishes. Close-up pictures show each step in the process being carried out, and breathtaking photos display an inspirational gallery of graceful, richly-colored finished works.

Because the glaze is a critical factor in determining the final appearance of a ceramic piece, potters need good guides and formulas for successful glazes. This well-illustrated handbook covers glaze chemistry, application techniques, firing, and problem solving. Useful for studio potters, students and hobbyists, this book belongs in your collection.

A complete guide to achieving a fantastic spectrum of colorful glazes for the studio potter. Colour in Glazes looks at the full range of materials and optioins for creating new colors in glazes. Packed full of glaze recipes, the book is illustrated with a wealth of finished work as well as an extensive collection of sample test tiles to show the variety of colors possible. Types of base glazes and the fluxes used to make them are discussed in relation to color response.

With hundreds of recipes and a thorough examination of glaze materials, chemistryy and tools, this reference will prove a boon to ceramists who want to master this complex and versatile aspect of their art. A wealth of information on various types of glazes, including copper, iron, shino, salt/soda, crystalline, and more. An exhaustive index of subjects and a separate index of glaze recipes will help you find what you need, quickly and easily.

We all remember our first experiences with glazing, and how our hopes usually exceeded our skills and knowledge of the topic. This book covers many aspects of glazing, with artist discussions abut their methods and recipes. You'll find information on glaze formulation, application methods like dipping, pouring or spraying, firing variations, materials characteristics, testing, and over 100 recipes.

For the beginner, the techniques explained in this book are like having the biggest box of crayons ever! Angelica Pozo shows you how to enhance the surface of clay through every stage of the ceramic process from wet clay through the glazed and fired states and beyond. You'll learn at least 9 different methods for using color, texture, line, shape and pattern. Plus the book includes links to how-to videos online!

The purpose of this book is to provide teachers, crafters, and anyone else interested with a guide to making clay whistles. There is something wonderful about coaxing sound out of a piece of clay: you blow through the mouthpiece, and out comes the music of the earth, in the voice of the clay.

Coiling is one of the most versatile ceramic techniques. The plasticity of clay invites potters (and others, of all ages!) to roll it between their hands to produce coils, which can be joined together to form the walls of hollow vessels. Pots of enormous size and amazing variety are made using this method. Sculptural pieces can also be made using coils, creating forms that range from human figures to very abstract shapes. Written for both amateur and expert potters, Coiling offers both practical instruction and creative inspiration for using coils in ceramic work.

A vast world of design and construction possibilities waits beyond the known realms of pinch, coil and wheel forming techniques. In this book you'll discover a wealth of information, techniques and inspration from the usual to the unusual, and from purely functional to imaginatively sculptural.

Working with clay slabs offers more opportunities than any other forming process. From small dishes and plates to architectural installments, slabs can be used to create any form, any size. When Daryl E. Baird took notice of all the work being done with this technique, he decided to explore it in depth then open the doors for others to enjoy. In From a Slab of Clay you'll learn about what it takes to start out on a journey that's sure to last a lifetime. From setting up a proper working space to selecting the right tools and equipment - including complete instructions for building your own slab roller - Daryl doesn't miss any details for you to consider to assure your success.

The voices of ancient civilizations can be found in their musical instruments, which were often made of clay. Unlocking dynamic, resonant links to the past can be as easy as drawing a breath, drawing a bow, raising a mallet or raising a hand. It is truly a remarkable experience to hear the sounds of instruments last played thousands of years ago. The people may be gone and their civilizations lost, but we are privileged to travel back in time and hear the sounds of their lives by listening to (or even playing!) the musical instruments of their time.

Directions for fun pottery projects potters that don't require a potter's wheel. Use coil, slab, mold, and pinch techniques to make pots, bowls, vases, tiles, and other decorative pieces. Along with advice on basic tools, preparing clay, and using coloring agents, new clay workers may appreciate the tips for making projects easier. Step-by-step color photos with detailed captions guide handcrafters through each project from start to finish.

Throwing and handbuilding are at the core of all studio ceramics techniques. With practice and patience, plus the imagination and experimentation of skilled artists and craftspeople, simple coil pots or tall narrow forms can become works of art prized by galleries and collectors. This book is a collection of carefully selected feature articles from Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated. In each section of the book you'll find challenging, complex and unusual techniques, often extensively illustrated, by some of the foremost studio artists working today.

Using clay in a contemporary manner for wall space is an increasingly fashionable and innovative solution for decorators, architects and makers. Wall pieces are the perfect solution for those who enjoy sculpture but have no space. Current wall pieces vary enormously from simple tiled pieces to huge installations. This book looks at the huge variety of work being made, and also all the problems, solutions and diverse approaches to wall pieces.

Although this is essentially a very simple subject, slabs can be used to make forms from the most basic to the most complex. This broad approach to slab work shows a wide variety of building methods and shows the work of many high-profile ceramic artists in this area. The book covers all the basics such as making your slabs and joining them well, simple building methods, creating textures, decorating with slips, avoiding disasters during firing, and the special challenges associated with building large-scale pieces.

Encourage elementary and middle school-age kids to build their clay-sculpting skills at home with these lessons and projects designed for use in the classroom. They'll model a pinch pot, coil animals, fossils, vases, masks, and tiles that they can embellish with rubber stamps. Best of all, these projects will foster childrens' confidence in their abilities and stimulate new ideas.

Moldmaking is an invaluable skill for potters because it allows them to create identical multiples of their work. This new edition of Andrew Martin's classic is the definitive guide to the craft. A thorough introduction addresses materials and tools, and presents Martin’s simple, unique template method for making clay prototypes. From there, the book overflows with hundreds of photos, key techniques, projects, master artist profiles, and troubleshooting tips. No other volume has shown the processes in such how-to detail. An extensive overview covers slip formulation, while offering highly desired slip recipes for low-, mid-, and high-fire clay bodies. This should be the standard reference in every ceramist’s library.

Clay provides more possibilities for sculpture than any other medium. Between these covers more than 20 artists demonstrate some of the infinite possibilities of clay for manifesting ideas into physical reality. Whether their sculptures are figurative or abstract, large or small, electric or wood-fired, and cast, thrown, coiled or sprayed, the variety is awe-inspiring. From primitive casting and pitfiring techniques to rapid prototype imagine, ceramic artists are not timid about exploring technologies both old and new to express themselves. The possibilities are endless.

Nine master ceramic artists present their personal approaches to sculpting the human figure in a spectacular volume that's both technically illuminating and visually inspirational. The outstanding examples range from representational to abstract, diminutive to heroic. The featured sculptors discuss the unique attractions and challenges of their methods, and detailed color photographs follow their artwork as it takes shape. In addition, there's a gallery of contemporary pieces selected by the major contributors.

Before the publication of this book there was a dearth of competent instructional books on the technical aspects of sculpture. Jack C. Rich, a noted sculptor himself, remedied that need with this clear, comprehensive and precise guide to every aspect of sculpting in wax, plaster, metal, stone, wood and other materials. Mr. Rich presents a comprehensive treatment of the origins, nature, properties and characteristics of various sculpting materials and the methods employed in their use. This volume is a republication of the 9th printing of the work originally published in 1947.

Master sculptor Bruno Lucchesi invites you on a guided tour of the human form. Follow him as he creates a figure in clay literally from the inside out, starting with the skeleton, laying on the muscles to show male and female anatomy, and finishing with a complete figure sculpture with every detail of face and hair carefully modeled.

Renowned contemporary sculptor Bruno Lucchesi takes a single life-size head through all the stages of roughing in, modeling, refining the surface, and finishing and texturing. This enables the reader to see exactly how he positions and models every detail. The book demonstrates not just the highlights of the creative process, but every step from beginning to end.

A master sculptor demonstrates how you can use thoughts and feelings, combined with good sculpture techniques, to produce evocative portraits in clay. Line drawings, illustrations, and running commentary from the author show how the sculptor's hands and tools work together to create portrait likenesses. Twenty color and 250 black/white illustrations.

Treasury of clearly drawn illustrations based on authentic design motifs created by the Sioux, Blackfoot, Apache, Cheyenne, Navajo, Hopi, Seminole, and other tribes. Adapted from textile patterns, wood carvings, ceramics, and other traditional craft forms, the royalty-free designs include abstract and floral motifs as well as human, animal, and mythical figures.

Selected for its visual impact and ease of use, this outstanding collection of wood engravings presents over 1,000 species of animals in extremely lifelike poses. Includes many different versions of familiar mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, and other invertebrates such as spiders, crabs, squid, earthworms, and more. Captions provide modern common-name identifications.

Multitude of strangely beautiful natural forms: Radiolaria, Foraminifera, Ciliata, diatoms, calcareous sponges, Siphonophora, star corals, starfishes, Protozoa, flagellates, brown seaweed, jellyfishes, sea-lilies, moss animals, sea-urchins, glass sponges, leptomedusae, horny corals, trunkfishes, true sea slugs, anthomedusae horseshoe crabs, sea-cucumbers, octopuses, bats, orchids, sea wasps, seahorse, a dragonfish, a frogfish, much more. All images black-and-white, but ready for use in your design schemes.

Magnificent collection of floral patterns and stencil designs created by one of the movement’s finest artists, with 120 images of graceful garden flowers—foxglove, hollyhocks, columbine, lilies, among others, and 39 stencil designs of blossoming trees, reeds, mushrooms, oak leaves, peacocks, and more. Classic, copyright-free motifs will add elegance to your work.

This is a complete course in designing ceramics with confidence. Focusing on the design process and principles of shape, form, surface and function, it also includes practical instruction in studio techniques to render your ideas into reality. Offers a complete range of practical advice in units covering each stage of the design process from working out a brief and seeking inspiration to drawing up technical plans and developing the design. Whether you want to create functional, longlasting and hardwearing pots or decorative fine art pieces, this book demystifies the design process and provides the inspiration and skills you need to design with flair.

Did you ever wonder how artists were able to get photos, text and detailed patterns onto their glazed surfaces? This type of decoration is called 'transfer printing.' If you'd like to expand your creative options, you may want to take a closer look at this exciting technique. This book provides a close look at how you can create your own intricate patterns and images and apply them to your work. In addition to descriptions of several transfer techniques, you can also see how many other artists are using printing techniques with ceramics.

The first comprehensive how-to book on this topic! Paul Wandless leads the way among ceramic artists adapting traditional printmaking procedures to transfer images onto clay surfaces. Topics include using silk-screen decals with light-sensitive emulsions to create master images, using colored slips for monoprints, and work with stencils, relief blocks or stamps with a variety of materials. Even if you don't have a printmaking background or fancy equipment, you can use these technqiues. Numerous photos document each method, plus many images showcasing the techniques for a wealth of inspiration.

Almost 800 mon (emblems or crests) combine natural and geometric forms for striking effects. Ideal for jewelry, design, mosaics and more.

Using innovative techniques, photographer Karl Blossfeldt produced arresting images of seed pods, buds, stems, and other botanical items. This spectacular collection features scores of his remarkable photographs of plant life, offering artists and craftspeople a treasury of copyright-free pictures and design inspirations. 120 full-page black-and-white plates.

Surface design is an essential part of making your work the best it can be. This comprehensive, invaluable studio reference covers all the most popular techniques for embellishing clay with a wealth of information and detailed images. From faceting, carving, and burnishing to terra sigillata and slip work through firing and all the way up to decals, lusters and raku: you can dip into the book at any point depending on your interests and needs of the moment.

Over 200 authentic designs from Dahomey, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Mali, Kenya, Ghana, and other African nations depict such unusual configurations as stylized lions, birds, fish, alligators, totemic figures, abstracts, geometrics and zigzags. Adapted from shields, masks, jewelry, textiles and other sources for copyright-free use.

Over 250 readily usable, royalty-free, authentic Japanese designs — from ceramics, textiles, more. Includes florals, demons, animals, geometrics, more.

Increasing numbers of ceramists are attracted to the beauty and versatility of tile, exploring the techniques for making it as well as finding a variety of ways to install or use it. In this abundantly illustrated reference, you'll learn how to create your own tiles and find out how to enhance them with a range of striking decorative effects. After you master installation basics, you can try your hand at a series of attractive projects for the home and garden.

Illian's aim in this book is to provide a way to see, to make, and to think about the forms of wheel-thrown vessels. She explains and inspires with both the mechanics of throwing and finishing pots made simply on the wheel, and the principles of truth and beauty arising from that traditional method. This book is designed to help students who are just learning to throw pots, potters who know how to throw but feel the need for greater understanding, and skilled craftspeople who enjoy thinking about the objects they love.

This book offers something for everybody interested in pottery! Beginning potters will find a complete course in the pages of this book. Experienced potters will find new ideas for designing and decorating virtually every type of ware. Heavily illustrated with more than 600 how-to photos, The Complete Potter takes you through every phase of the potter's craft, from clay to kiln.

Pottery Basics will show you how to start working with clay. Step-by-step photos on every page show in detail the skills you'll need, and twelve simple projects encourage your start on this deeply satisfying creative hobby.

Throwing is an important skill for any potter to master, using only a few tools, the guidance of their hands, and the momentum of the wheel. With an eye toward the practical, Richard Phethean describes essential techniques for working on the wheel and covers a range of forms from simple domestic pots to more complex vessels. The book features clear instructions with step-by-step how-to images which describe the technqiues demonstrated.

The occasional large pot is awesome! When used as a decorating item or a serving piece for large gatherings, a big pot is certainly a show stopper. Throwing large pots is not about how big your muscles are, but understanding just a few basic techniques. English potter Nic Collins provides tips and techniques that give you a place to start making your own large pieces.

Follow along with Emily Reason as she teaches wheelthrowing, one skill at a time. She makes it easy to learn basic techniques like throwing cylinders and pulling handles, and she guides you step-by-step as you create attractive projects ranging from a mug and a pitcher to a teapot and a tulipiere. Every project includes a list of tools you'll need, easy-to-follow instructions, and detailed how-to photographs. You'll also find inspiring gallery sections highlighting other artists' work.