Book Description
Classic by noted Victorian designer discusses aesthetics, practical considerations of Victorian and Edwardian design. Rich, illuminating treatment of historic styles, beauty, utility, design of furniture, carpets, draperies, textiles, pottery, glass, metalwork, many other elements. Over 180 handsome illustrations.
Book Description
Anyone who has ever imagined plunging bare hands into cool, moist clay and shaping it into a vase, platter, or tile can now experience the pleasure of pottery. Lifelong potter Bill van Gilder has a bounty of time-tested advice on all the basics, and a plethora of fantastic techniques. That means novices will enjoy the advantages of a master teacher guiding them through each stage of the process—while intermediates will eagerly soak up every new idea he has to offer. With van Gilder’s help, beginners can try hand building, and progress onto the fundamentals of wheel-throwing. They’ll get expert tips on shaping spouts, handles and feet; adding texture, color, and luster; and combining techniques to create a variety of attractive projects.
A production potter for more than 30 years,
Bill van Gilder, host of DIY Network’s Throwing Clay, has traveled around the world to learn, teach, and exhibit his craft. He is a regular contributor to Clay Times magazine, and is on the faculty of The Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia. In 2000, he founded the Frederick Pottery School in Maryland.
Customer Reviews:
Informative.......2007-08-23
I loved this book! Bill has a unique talent for sharing his knowledge so both the experienced potterr and the novice will learn. I highly reccomend it.
A must for beginners........2007-03-14
This book gives so many tips for the beginning potter. The photographs are clear and close-up. I gleaned many tips from the author that I had not picked up in class. A tremendous help for any level pottery.
Excellent.......2007-01-19
This book provided detailed illustration and pictures on various forms...from mixing bowls, plates, handels, teapot, and even a soup cup with a matching saucer. He explains how to throw knob handles! He provides alternative methods in some cases and lists the tools needed for each project. There are also glaze recipes at the end of each project for the glaze exhibited on the piece. Excellent for beginners and advanced learners. I have been in pottery for 4 years and continue to find this book resourceful. Excellent buy and worth the money!
DIY Show Throwing City Illustrated Guide of Basic Throwing Tech.......2007-01-10
great book lots of pictures, easy to follow, good basic practice for all potters....
Great how to...........2007-01-03
I teach pottery. Bill's book is an excellent how-to type book as well as a valuable teaching tool for beginning potters. I'm anxiously awaiting the next volume as well as a DVD set (hint hint) that extend Van Gilder's popular DIY network series on throwing clay. I highly recommend this book for all potters!
Book Description
A highly practical, accessible approach to creating bezutiful ceramics.
Customer Reviews:
Nice Pottery Overview.......2007-09-19
This is a very nice overview of a variety of techniques and some rather complex projects. While it is well illustrated, it isn't for the beginner. I've been turning and hand-building for a couple years (spare time hobby) and there are many projects in this book that I admire but don't quite have the skill set to try to emulate.
I do come back to this book every few months, and always learn something new from it.
If you have other Warshaw pottery books, you may notice the same photos/projects appear in this volume.
Book Description
This richly illustrated portrait of North Carolina's pottery traditions tells the story of the generations of "turners and burners" whose creations are much admired for their strength and beauty. Perhaps no other state possesses such an active and extensive ceramic heritage, and one that is entirely continuous. This book is an attempt to understand both the past and the present, the now largely vanished world of the folk potter and the continuing achievements of his descendants. It is a tribute that is long overdue.
From the middle of the eighteenth century through the second quarter of the twentieth century, folk potters in North Carolina produced thousands of pieces of earthenware and stoneware—sturdy, simple, indispensable forms like jars and jugs, milk crocks and butter churns, pitchers and dishes, ring jugs and flowerpots. Their wares were familiar and everyday, not innovative or unusual, because they were shaped through generations of use for specific functions. The utilitarian forms were so commonplace and embedded in daily life that few individuals documented the craft. Turners and Burners is the first book to chronicle these pottery traditions, with close attention to distinct regional and temporal patterns and the major families involved. It explores in detail the traditional technologies used, from the foot-powered treadle wheel to the wood-fired groundhog kiln.
Terry Zug became interested in North Carolina pottery in 1969 shortly after moving to Chapel Hill. In 1974 he began documenting the craft and traveled throughout the state recording the reminiscences of potters, former potters, and members of potters' families who recalled the old craft in remarkable detail. He systematically photographed and cataloged old pots, located early shop sites, and carefully recorded the remaining waster dumps of broken shards and decaying equipment. His primary source, however, was the potters themselves. Their tape-recorded interviews provide an insider's view of their world and reveal the powerful underlying logic and autonomy of their craft.
Customer Reviews:
One of the Best.......2006-02-23
My wife purchases unique pottery, antiques, etc. on a regular basis. As we live on the border of North Carolina, we often were advised to get this book. I recently gave it to her as a gift, and she loved it. She has an extensive library of reference works, and considers this book "one of the best".
Well-written, in-depth account of folk pottery in N.C........2002-03-30
This book is for anyone who is interested in the history of pottery in North Carolina. The book focuses on pottery as necessary to the rural way of life. Turners and Burners makes the reader appreciate the functional designs of the early potters.
It explores three rich pottery areas in the state - Catawba Valley, Seagrove area and Moravian potters. Many families in these areas are still turning out pottery. The book goes into great detail about Burlon Craig, who is considered the last folk potter in North Carolina.
Sections of the book reviews glazes, kiln construction and functionality of different container designs. Also, it reviews whimsies, face jugs and ring jugs and their place in the pottery tradition of North Carolina.
Turners and Burners gives the reader a great appreciation for the history of pottery in the North Carolina. It will make you want to plan a trip to Seagrove or the Catawba Valley.
A teriffic account of the history & tradition of NC pottery........1998-08-31
Turners and Burners is a must for anyone interested in North Carolina Folk pottery. It presents the history starting with the first potters to settle in the region to the evolution of the trade that lives on today.
Charles Zug does an outstanding job of presenting the culture and the mindset that guided the craft through generations of potters spanning over two centuries.
And the technologies of the craft is given ample attention, through interesting descriptions, drawings, and photographs. A prime example is the discussion of how alkaline glaze kilns differed from the salt kilns in terms of design, firing methods, and durability.
This is a great book, full of useful information to the researcher as well as praticing potters.
Book Description
Photographs by Steven Smolker
In plain language and over 250 clear, instructive photographs, Pottery on the Wheel demonstrates to the novice potter every step in throwing the basic clay pottery shapes on the wheel. The student is told and shown how to wedge clay, what tools to use, how to throw cylindrical and open shapes, and how to trim the shapes. There are sections on the more specialized and advanced throwing techniques, such as throwing large pots, and coil and section throwing; and there are instructions for throwing specific forms such as teapots and pitchers. There is a chapter on pottery wheels, and appendices on clays, glazes, and kilns and firing.
Customer Reviews:
perfect transaction.......2006-08-04
The book arrived fast, in excellent condition, and as advertised. Julie also promptly answered some questions I had regarding the sale. Great transaction!
Excellent teaching tool........2003-03-10
I bought this book 25 years ago when I started pottery and my well-thumbed copy is an important part of my studio. I'm a Canadian potting in Japan and though most of my students are non-English users, the photographs in this book speak thousands of words. It is laid out logically and the cross-section cuts of the whole process from entering the centered clay to finished work are everything a student or teacher could want in an instructional book. I was very pleasantly surprised to discover it is still available and my student is looking forward to having her own copy.
Best beginner's book on pottery.......2001-12-28
As someone who has just started to learn pottery in a class, this book gives detailed information that your teacher may not provide. Even if you are learning by yourself the step by step (very detailed) lessons by themselves gives the beginner good and easy to understand steps for success! Lots of great pictures too.
The only book you need.......2000-07-15
I bought this book for my wife who had just finished ten weeks of throwing lessons. She read the book and was able to improve her work in just a few practice sessions. She is so pleased with her new knowledge and skill. The fine detail and the pictures of sectioned pots were easy to follow. The accompaning text was clear and the summeries allow for quick reference.
We can only recommend this fine book to anyone that wants to improve their skill.
Every Potter should have this book.......2000-01-06
The text is detailed, but easy to understand and the pictures do an excellent job of reinforcing the concept. I have been throwing for about a year, but reached a point where I was "stuck" and couldn't seem to move forward. After only ONE day of using the techniques in this book, I was able to double the amount of clay I could successfully throw and the results were better than anything I had previously produced. This is the best book there is on throwing.
Book Description
A handsome, color-illustrated large-format book guides students through the craft of creating pottery and other ceramics. Different types of clay and their properties are described, as are various tools used by the potter. Additional advice details the process of glazing and baking. Hundreds of full-color photos show the tools, wheels, pottery techniques and finished products.
Customer Reviews:
The Superb Lesson Book for Beginners thru Intermediate Potters.......2006-11-25
A potter friend of mine lent me her book when I decided that I wanted to try my hand at throwing. The Potter's Wheel book she insisted that I borrow was just wonderful in every way--clear writing with matching pictures for each step. My friend explained that after 10 years, she still refers back to this book. I ordered my own and am experiencing The Potter's Wheel lesson book on my own! It is a great source book !!
Fabulously detailed instructions !.......2005-08-11
This book should be the standby for all potters, learners thru to advanced since we don't always throw the whole range of shapes all of the time. Also it's good for getting students to pre-read, so that when you give verbal instruction at the wheel; they should have a picture in their head of how it's supposed to look and then; it's also an edifying tool for the teacher too.
Much detail has been given regarding hand shapes for various parts of the throwing so there is no guesswork and nothing to go wrong. The only thing the student has to learn is pressure and that is just trial and error.
A whole section relates to turning. As she says "turning is not a waste of time" it is a further refinement of the shape, a chance to get the correct weight for the piece (aesthetics).
A lot of love has gone into this book. I hope it inspires would-be potters to have a determined go at it.
Full of illustrations.......2001-07-23
... the best feature of the book. It explains step by step for each different types of ceramics (cylinders, bowls, closed forms, vases, lids, plates, etc) with illustrations, common mistakes for beginners and how to fix them. I'm a beginner myself in this creative art form, and this book helped me understand what I should or should not be doing while throwing. Definitely a book for beginners/intermediate ceramists.
Product Description
Complete, practical essential reference for all potters. Contents include: About clay; techniques of making pottery(wedging, pinching, coiling, slab building, throwing, joining, molding and turning; glazes; pigments and stains; techniques of decoration, tools and equipment; kilns and firing; glossary. More than 400 illustrations. The essential creative guide to pottery inlaying, sprigging, silk-screen printing, stencils and sgraffito. 8 1/2" x 11" Glossy.
Book Description
A complete manual on how to use the potter's wheel. Covers all the basic steps, from wedging to the finished pot.
Customer Reviews:
Fine for beginners.......2002-09-17
This is an excellent guide for the novice potter. He covers a lot of ground, gives detailed advice on technique, and provides useful step-by-step photographs. I found it a lot more helpful than the couple of glossy manuals I tried earlier. The price does seem a bit high.
Book Description
Finally there’s a book that combines complete instructions for throwing clay on a potter’s wheel with stunning color photos of every step of the process. Packed with comprehensive instructions for beginners, invaluable tips for experts, and a running gallery of international contemporary work for collectors, this will certainly become the basic book in the field.
Customer Reviews:
Good for concepts and examples.......2006-09-11
I bought this book by chance but it is my current go to book when looking for inspiration and reviewing technique. Don Davis is a master. He uses subtle changes in his pieces that give them a uniqueness I enjoy. My only complaint would be that I wish he had more pictures of his work inside the book.
My favorite pottery book for the wheel!.......2002-10-07
When I first started throwing, I found this book an extremely useful source for reminders, clarifications, and pointers on techniques I'd learned in class. It's a great practical guide for beginners. Now that I've been throwing for a while, I find I continue to turn to it for ideas and pointers. I've purchased several other clay books that were touted as "must haves" for potters, but I've been disappointed with them. They often focused only a few pages on wheel throwing, or were not as clear when describing techniques. Davis' book, with its straightforward instructions, good illustrative technique photos, and interesting photos of varied designs and forms, is the reference I keep turning to for myself and sharing with my classmates.
great book for beginners.......2000-11-17
This is a good book for beginners. The book has great pictures and the instructions are easy to follow. I also like the progression in the projects. It builds your throwing skills step by step.
This book is a must for those looking for great new ideas!.......1999-10-29
A wonderful book for beginners and experienced potters alike. Lots of new ideas with detailed explanation and pictures. An absolute must, and a great price too!
Great step-by-step techniques.......1999-09-18
I loved the step-by-step approach this book takes with the many different examples of pottery. Also, it is great to show the techniques of the different potters. The book also includes photos of other pieces made with similar techniques. I borrowed this book, but now have to have my own copy.
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Hints on Household Taste: The Classic Handbook of Victorian Interior Decoration
Victorian Style: Classic Homes of North America
Authentic Color Schemes for Victorian Houses: Comstock's Modern House Painting, 1883
Victorian Kitchens & Baths
Victorian Style
