Pottery for Beginners

Everything You Need to Get Started with PotteryIf you ever daydream about delving into pottery but aren't sure where to begin, this is your book. Professional potter Kara Leigh Ford will be your personal pottery guide, helping you to overcome any doubts about your abilities. All you need are curiosity and a few simple tools to mold stunning stoneware with confidence. Inspiring projects and primers on equipment, technique, clay types and setting up a workspace make pottery approachable for complete newcomers, as well as budding potters who want to hone their skills. Plus, gorgeous photos from Kara's studio offer visual guidance every step of the way.Enter the wonderful world of ceramics with hand building, the meditative method behind your next mug, spoon set or soap dish. When you're ready for the wheel, easy-to-follow instructions cover the foundations of throwing bowls, plates, vases and other beginner-friendly kitchenware like a pro. Each stand-alone piece builds upon a skill introduced in the previous project: Craft all ten and you've learned pottery's fundamentals! Tutorials on glazing and decorative techniques will help you discover your own unique style and understand the basics of the firing process-whether in your own kiln or at a community studio-ensuring beautifully finished pieces.Kara's can-do approach brings handmade ceramic creations fully within reach. Whether you want to make charming home decor or thoughtful gifts for loved ones, you'll find all you need to embark on your pottery journey.

"Kara has generously provided knowledge for any budding ceramicist wishing to work with clay. Her words are insightful, clear and refreshingly practical. Learning with Kara feels like learning with a dear friend."--Tara Brault, potter and founder of Pitch Pine Pottery "This stunning book should be on every potter's shelves, whether beginner or professional. Jam-packed with incredible tips and ideas, this book is as informative as it is beautiful. Kara Leigh Ford is an inspiration!"--Elizabeth Macneal, potter and author of Circus of Wonders "This is the book I wish I'd had when I started out."--Joe Thompson, potter and founder of Old Forge Creations

Kara Leigh Ford is the founder of Kara Leigh Ford Ceramics, where she creates and sells functional pottery inspired by the English coast. She has built a bustling online community for new and intermediate potters through Kara's Pottery Club. Her work has been featured in The Simple Things, Homemaker and Mollie Makes. Kara has written for Ceramics Monthly and appeared on many pottery and creative business podcasts. She works in her home studio in Somerset, England.

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