The complete manual for shaping clay without a potter's wheel. Have you ever imagined plunging your bare hands into a block of cool, moist clay? Pinching or coiling it? Smoothing or incising it? Burnishing or glazing it? Gradually transforming it into an elegant vase, beautiful platter, or distinctive tile? Let Handbuilt Ceramics show you how. You'll discover that handbuilding (shaping clay by hand, instead of with a potter's wheel) is a wonderful place for beginners to start and a continuing fascination for experienced potters. You'll learn the basic handbuilding techniques, as well as how to decorate the surface and how to kiln fire. You'll make handsome projects, from a simple slab-built windowsill planter to an elegant extruded teapot. You'll delight in a stunning color gallery of the best of today's handbuilt ceramic art. You'll browse through special chapters on commission work and on the sources of inspiration. Whether you're a beginner, an expert, or simply an admirer of ceramic art, this is a book to enjoy, to learn from, and to treasure for years to come. oThe definitive book on handbuilt ceramics o300 color photographs of contemporary work by well-known ceramicists oA Book of the Month Crafter's Choice selection Winner, Outstanding Art Publication, Art Libraries Society "For both inspiration and instruction, this is an extremely valuable resource, yet it's still beautiful enough to enhance any coffee table."--Clay Times "...a springboard for creativity and individual exploration."--School Arts.