Handbuilt, A Potter's Guide:Master timeless techniques, explore new forms, dig and process your own clay

From the description, I thought it was a how-to book about how to dig and process your own clay from the ground but it is mostly photos of the artists friends artwork and blurbs about them. I returned it because it seemed kind of just an infomercial book about the authors friends. So it is really more a coffee table photo book.

This book is well written and inspiring. I plan to start looking for clay on a friends farm after spring thaw. I am excited and feel like a beginner again, in a good way. I have always thought harvesting clay from the earth would be such a wonderful connection to make, but in truth was never motivated enough to make the effort. Seeing Ms. Weiss standing knee deep in mud, shovel in hand, sparked a sense of adventure and commitment to sourcing my clay from the earth. This book articulated some of the things I have been feeling about clay/vessel surface for a very long time. I plan to implement some of the ideas and tools in this book. Thank you Melissa Weiss you are a master and an Art Hero.

I am a beginner and I hoped for a book that covers hand-building thoroughly, but it didn't. Many techniques are not covered and most questions are left open. There are only very few recipes and all are cone 10.The book is beautifully made and I do like the pieces, it is inspiring to read about digging your own clay, but I doubt I could do it after reading the book. Most techniques explained are very basic and lack information.

First the pros: Love the "from the earth" take. Love the rawness of everything. Well written so far. Photos have good composition.And the bad: Veeery poor quality publishing. Crap paper (sliiightly better than mass paperback), the cover (which I initially thought was fine) warped after existing inside for ONE moderately humid May day in the Mid-Atlantic. Also, the layout is horrible! Like the actual placing is fine, but the images are consistently grainy! Let me put it this way: There is pixilation on the COVER. The cover. Who does that? Granted, none of this has to do with the content (aside from photos) quality, but after seeing the how much effort was put into this from the publishing perspective, I am wary.

This lovely book is full of illustrations, and I am gradually working my way through new techniques. Explanations are clear and the many photos really help understand the techniques. I am an experienced hand builder, but mostly work with rolled slabs. This book has opened lots of new things to try.

I've taken classes in the hand-building method. Until this book, I was looking for something not offered in a general way. I wanted to know and understand method, form, function, wild clay, carving,kilns and slip. I'm still not an expert but this book will wind up on my bench as soon I start up again, which I hope is soon!

I found this book perfect for my exploring as a beginner.It is filled with tools, techniques and a variety of clay artists and their styles.Lots of information on of finding and processing local clay if that is an area of interest.

This book is an absolute must for any who loves the medium of clay. Melissa’s work is gorgeous and functional and she very generously shared her thoughts and processes with the reader. She unlocked several of her secrets and I was immediately able to apply her techniques to my own with beautiful results! Thank you Melissa !

Not quite what I wanted. Harder to get the most of it, when using a kindle addition.

Great. Propmt delivery. Will use again.

Great book was for any keen potter and studio. Arrived super quick.

Excellent book overall, love it.

Handbuilt, A Potter's Guide is a great addition to my pottery library. I was looking for a book that was specifically handbuilt projects as well as something that could talk to me about harvesting wild clays and boom! Both of these subjects are covered beautifully in this book. I'm a great fan of Melissa Weiss's pottery and it was awesome to find out that she had written a book on exactly what I was looking for. From wild clay to slips/glazes to handbuilding to handles to firing to creating new forms from others - this is a great resource for any level of potter. Gorgeous photos and clear descriptions plus mini interviews with a bunch of awesome potters make up a really fantastic book. Can't like it enough - thanks!

An art book that is not at all appealing or inspirational: how disappointing! I'm just returning to ceramics after a very, very long time, so call me a beginner. Melissa Weiss's book purports to be for potters working at many levels but starts out with a chapter on harvesting wild clay. I'd say that's an advanced skill. Somehow, I think the book she wanted to write was one on wild clay, but her editor talked her out of it. The interviews are interesting, but it's not really a guide, as the title suggests. The book itself is poorly and cheaply designed with typos and incomplete sentences. Not the book I was hoping for.

This book is easy to read and understand, although the interviews with pottery artists were valuable information and interesting, I would have liked to of seen more projects to try to build on skills and efficiency. I really enjoyed this book though, and would recommend it for anyone personal library.

Excellent book! Loved reading about the artist's journey and how she makes her pieces. Lots of info on handbuilding. Highly recommend if you are a fan of this artist.

One of the better books I have purchased on hand building. I like the authors approach and will continue to use this book as a reference.

Very inspirational.Delivered on time.

Love the ideas and practical step by step guides

absolutely new and best quality! very happy with it

Très beau livre, inspirant.