Beginner's guide to pottery and ceramics : everything you need to know to start making beautiful ceramics / Jacqui Atkin.

Originally published in 2005 as Pottery Basics.

Includes index.

Getting started. Basic tools ; Health and safety ; Clay ; Kilns and firing ; Basic skills ; Decorating -- Techniques and projects. Technique 1 : pinching and modeling ; Project 1 : lidded pinch pot ; Technique 2 : pinching larger sections ; Project 2 : pinched pebble planter ; Technique 3 : using rounded coils ; Project 3 : coiled vessel ; Technique 4 : building with flattened coils ; Project 4 : coiled vase ; Technique 5 : building with firm slabs ; Project 5 : slabbed candleholder ; Technique 6 : constricting with soft slabs ; Project 6 : soft slabbed teapot ; Technique 7 : throwing a bowl and plate ; Project 7 : thrown cheese bell ; Technique 8 : throwing a basic cylinder ; Project 8 : a thrown jug ; Technique 9 : making a press mold ; Project 9 : molded bowl with a flattened coil extension ; Technique 10 : making a draped slab and sprig mold ; Project 10 : hors d'oeuvres dish ; Technique 11 : making tiles and a low relief ; Project 11 : slip-decorated tile panel ; Technique 12 : colored clays ; Project 12 : agate porcelain box -- Surface decoration library. Glaze recipes ; Glossary of terms ; Suppliers and resources.

Clay is an exciting material that has been used to make both practical and decorative items since prehistoric times. With this practical guidebook, learn all the skills you need to start creating your own beautiful ceramics. Step-by-step photographs and clear instructions will guide you through the core techniques, including pinching and coiling and throwing and trimming. Discover inspirational projects as your skills progress, from simple coiled vases with painted decoration to marbled clay boxes with transparent glazes. Learn how to decorate and fire your clay vessels with myriad textures, using methods such as inlays, slips, sgraffito, feathering, burnishing and resist. Following the impressive projects inside, you can put your new-found skills into practice and develop your creativity.