Minnesota Clay Books

Featured New Book

Featured New Book

Featured New Book

In Terra Sigillata: Contemporary Techniques, Rhonda Willers provides an historical overview, as well as technical information on how to make, mix, and apply terra sigillatas. In addition, she presents contemporary artist profiles and techniques to enrich and encourage your terra sigillata development.

Handmade Tile is a contemporary guide for ceramic artists and anyone interested in custom tile installations—from making, designing, and decorating to designing your space and installation. Forrest Lesch-Middelton shares everything he’s learned as the founder and owner of the custom tile business FLM Ceramics and Tile. From his years as a one-man operation to his current production facility, Forrest has seen it all and helps you every step of the way. Whether you want to make your own tile, or want to use artistic and custom-made tile in your home, this book has everything you need.

Off the Shelf | Outside the Box explores the nuances of commercial clays, glazes, underglazes, and more, as well as the variety of results that can be achieved with these products. In the past, commercial products carried a stigma in the ceramics field that they were only for use by hobbyists, at schools, and at community art centers. Now, in these fast-paced times, artists of all levels are embracing the versatility, convenience, and ease of commercially prepared products. Deanna Ranlett shares her experiences of working with commercial products in new and unexpected ways, and encourages you to get out of your comfort zone and put these products to the test!

Featured New Book

Featured New Book

Featured New Book

From pinch pots to coiled boxes to soft slab tableware, mastering hand building is a lifelong pursuit. In this book, Sunshine Cobb covers all the foundational skills, with lessons for constructing both simple and complex forms from clay. Ceramic artists will also find a variety of next-level techniques and tips: designing templates and replicating pieces, lidded vessels, using molds, a variety of decorative techniques, and other avenues of exploration are all inside. You will love Sunshine’s pragmatic approach to handbuilding and be inspired to try the many step-by-step projects throughout the book!

In Working with Porcelain, you’ll discover the ins and outs of using porcelain. Compiled from the Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated archives, along with helpful insights and notes from renowned porcelain artist Antoinette Badenhorst, you’ll learn about porcelain’s distinctive qualities and how to successfully create with this always beautiful, but often temperamental clay body.

Tableware has occupied a special place in our kitchens and dining rooms for thousands of years, and continues to enchant us today. Ranging from the purely functional to the fine and delicate, the evolution of domestic pots tells us much about our changing tastes and habits, and the wider art and cultural movements that have influenced their decoration and forms.

Sculpting the human face presents a unique artistic challenge—but this richly illustrated guide thoroughly demystifies the process. Instructor Alex Irvine goes step-by-step, explaining everything from creating basic, rough outlines to surface refinements to finely detailed replicas. Photographs of models and sketches appear alongside the actual sculpture, and a gallery of contemporary work inspires.

According to Ceramics Monthly, approximately 75% of potters glaze their pieces at mid-range temperatures—and this complete studio guide eliminates the guesswork from the popular process. Along with hundreds of recipes, it explores mixing, application, specific firing and cooling cycles, and all the factors that make glazes work. See how to boost colors with intense stains, washes, and underglazes; achieve stunning results that equal high-fire glazing, and expand the frontiers of mid-range with tips for wood, salt, and soda firing.

No kiln? No wheel? No problem! With Minnesota Clay Rainbow Air-Dry Clay, you can easily make beautiful trinkets, jewelry, and other decorative items. This colorful how-to guide covers all the basic techniques—including pinching, coiling, creating slabs, making sprigs, decorating surfaces, and sealing and finishing—as well as a variety of pretty and simple projects.

With its diverse collection of techniques and more than 20 inspiring projects, this is the definitive potter’s companion! From pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction to creative throwing practices and moldmaking, this must-have reference for ceramists covers all the basics . . . and beyond. Accompanying photos help newcomers build a strong technical foundation, and the stunning projects, including a square-slabbed dish and porcelain wall boxes, will appeal to potters of every level. There’s also a fascinating history of pottery, and a guide to the various types of clays and kilns.

Ceramic artists are some of the most inventive people around, and 100 Tips, Tools, & Techniques is a testament to their ingenuity. Compiled from the Ceramics Monthly and Pottery Making Illustrated archives, this book features some of the best tips and tools developed by fellow ceramic artists.

Ceramists of any level will benefit from this comprehensive studio reference about surface design and the many techniques for embellishing clay. Detailed images inform every phase of the process-from the wet and leather-hard stages through bisque ware, to firing and post-firing. Recipes are supplemented by design theory and historical examples.

Handmade pots find homes in various places around the house. From the vase in the living room that holds fresh-cut garden blooms, to canisters in the pantry, to the cookie jar on the kitchen counter, to the whiskey bottle or flask in the liquor cabinet, they add a personal touch to our environment. Part of the Ceramic Arts Select Series—which focuses on a group of related forms and presents some of the best examples of how contemporary artists are exploring, innovating, and celebrating those forms—this book showcases lidded pots used for storing and serving food, displaying flowers or fruit, and keeping clutter artfully contained.

Handmade pots find homes in various places around the house. From the vase in the living room that holds fresh-cut garden blooms, to canisters in the pantry, to the cookie jar on the kitchen counter, to the whiskey bottle or flask in the liquor cabinet, they add a personal touch to our environment. Part of the Ceramic Arts Select Series—which focuses on a group of related forms and presents some of the best examples of how contemporary artists are exploring, innovating, and celebrating those forms—this book showcases lidded pots used for storing and serving food, displaying flowers or fruit, and keeping clutter artfully contained.

Every potter has certain common forms in their repertoire–think bowls and mugs. But the kitchen is home to various less-common pots-from muffin pans and juicers, to batter bowls and salt shakers–that are great fun for the potter to investigate. Part of the Ceramic Arts Select Series, this book showcases pots used for prepping, cooking, and presenting food. Each edition of the Ceramic Arts Select Series focuses on a group of related forms and presents some of the best examples of how contemporary artists are exploring, innovating, and celebrating those forms.

From a large platter intended to be hung on a wall to a small treat bowl, and everything in between, there is no end to the creative expression possible with plates, platters, and bowls. Part of the Ceramic Arts Select Series, this book is a testament to that variety. Each edition of the Ceramic Arts Select Series focuses on specific related forms and presents some of the best examples of how contemporary artists are exploring, innovating, and celebrating those forms.

The first printing of Cone 5-6 Glazes: Materials & Recipes sold out quickly, but we’re happy to announce that it is back in print in a beautiful new format. This best seller brings together some of the top glaze experts in ceramics to provide you with all the information you need to create successful glazes for your pots.

Authors James Watkins and Paul Wandless, along with a group of distinguished artisans, demonstrate in detail how to build low-cost, low-tech, yet high-quality kilns. The plans range from an easy, affordable, and versatile Raku Kiln to a unique wood-fueled Downdraft Stovepipe Barrel one. These clever devices make it possible to produce rich surface effects from alternative reduction firing techniques.

This book is an introduction to the use of additions in clay bodies, from hard materials like stones and glass to combustible matter, fiber, metals and color. It looks at the work of a range of contemporary international makers who are using additions to create remarkable new forms and textures in ceramic work.

NEW RELEASE!!

Cone 5–6 Glazes: Materials & Recipes provides an easy way to create your own glazes by understanding and testing what’s already been tried. This glaze book is a first of its kind because it pulls together more than 180 glaze recipes and hundreds of variations from 30 different artists in one book.

When it comes to innovation, ceramic artists rank at the top. What is it about clay that brings out the creative spirit in us? Unlike a canvas to be painted or a stone to be carved, clay presents unlimited possibilities. You can shape it, throw it, pour it, carve it, stamp it, paint it—anything. In this collection of techniques, profiles and projects, more than 25 innovative artists explore some of the vast possibilities clay has to offer.

In this book, Richard Zakin takes you on a comprehensive journey through the information and ideas of the potter's craft. He includes photographs of pieces made by leading artists, as well as comments by them concerning various aspects of their work. This book is unique in its scope and the depth of its information and photographic documentation.

High Excitement Low Temperature!
These days, a great number of creative and talented ceramic artists are pushing the limits of what is possible at the lower temperature ranges. They have tested extensively to find the right fluxes to get just the right effect; they have developed techniques for applying layers of surface to achieve depth and complexity. And the result is a growing popularity of low-fire ceramics.

With hundreds of recipes for some of the most popular and enduring high-fire glazes, this reference will prove a boon to ceramists who want to master this complex and versatile aspect of the art. Author John Britt, who served as Clay Coordinator at the respected Penland School of Crafts, has personally tested many of the recipes, and carefully reviews every one.

A complete guide to getting a fantastic spectrum of colorful glazes, Linda Bloomfield looks at a full range of materials and options for creating colors in glazes. This book is illustrated with finished work as well as an extensive collection of sample test tiles to illustrate the variety of colors possible from metal oxides in ceramics.

One of the most remarkable things about clay is that you can make most anything from it, and in Ceramic Projects: Forming Techniques dozens of clay artists prove this over and over. You'll discover some practical projects like Steve Davis-Rosenbaum's unique Chip and Dip server and Dannon Rhudy's Juicer to the more esoteric Pancaker of Keith Phillips and the exotic Condiment Server from Gwendolyn Yoppolo.

Clay is the most versatile sculpture material around. It’s easy to use, readily available, inexpensive, and perfect for creating works of almost any size or shape. For thousands of years, artists have used clay to stir their imagination and give shape to their ideas.

Developing your own glazes can be tricky because success depends on so many factors. In Developing Glazes, Australian ceramic artist Greg Daly aims to demystify the whole glaze development process with practical advice and complete, step-by-step instructions. A practical glaze book for clay lovers at any skill level, it's the perfect addition to any ceramics library.

Do you even know any potters who don’t cook? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a pottery design, technique, and glaze recipe book put together with a food recipe book? Well now there is, and it comes from the extensive research and passion of veteran author Sumi von Dassow.

Working with clay slabs offers more opportunities than any other forming process. From small dishes and plates to architectural installments, slabs can be used to create any form, any size. When Daryl E. Baird took notice of all the work being done with this technique, he decided to explore it in depth then open the doors for others to enjoy. In From a Slab of Clay you'll learn about what it takes to start out on a journey that's sure to last a lifetime.

Throwing Techniques is a collection of more than thirty carefully selected projects from more than two dozen talented ceramic artists. Get your creativity flowing as you discover the secrets to making a variety of lidded, closed, and spouted forms; constructing large pieces; altering thrown shapes; and much more.

If you enjoy handbuilding, then Handbuilding Techniques is one book you’ll definitely want in your collection. This Ceramic Arts Handbook brings together the most creative techniques, tips, and projects from dozens of experts published in Pottery Making Illustrated and Ceramics Monthly.

The Secrets of Handbuilding Shown in Unique Cutaway Photography Extended Edition. The brand-new edition of this very popular how-to book for potters is bigger and better than ever. It has gone up in page count from the first edition to accommodate additional projects with instructions for making them, and also features an expanded gallery of handsome color photos showing examples of finished pieces.

There are scores of techniques, hundreds of variations and thousands of combinations in ceramics. And it's these combinations that make pottery art so exciting since no two people can produce the same work. This is a book about variety, but, more importantly, it's about possibilities. This compilation of techniques from a wide spectrum of experienced clay artists illustrates the variables of figuring out processes, perfecting techniques to come up with something different.

Large scale ceramics demand a number of considerations that do not concern most ceramists: kiln size, assembling, weatherproofing and installation are some of the things that must be taken into account. Large-scale Ceramics discusses these issues as well as giving advice on obtaining and handling commissions.

The relatively inexpensive electric kiln is probably the single most important reason that ceramics has become so popular today. With many improvements over the years, electric kilns are now safer, more efficient, and easier to use than ever before. Every major manufacturer has better controls, more insulation, and creative design features that make it possible for almost anyone to load and fire their work successfully with little effort.

The universal dream of doing the work you love and earning a living at it forms the heart of this current edition of a book that has become a favorite of many potters. This fresh account of The Mud-Pie Dilemma, written by John Nance, updates by 25 years the classic story of Tom and Elaine Coleman and their struggles to create a successful, loving marriage and family while master potter Tom seeks to realize his extraordinary potential as a ceramic artist.

Ceramic art consists of two major components: surface and form. Either one can make your sculpture or pot a success or a failure. In Surface Decoration Techniques, you’ll discover a wealth of information about how to approach the surface of your ceramic surfaces through a wide variety of techniques from more than 30 professional clay artists with decades of experience.

This definitive book on naked raku book results from years of studio work, workshop presentations, conversations, and research. Guided by Eduardo Lazo's expertise, contributors Kate and Will Jacobson, Wally Asselberghs, Linda and Charlie Riggs, Amber Aguirre, and Dana Bilello-Barrow each describe their personal working techniques for working on the bare clay surface.

In Glazing Techniques you’ll discover how dozens of talented artists approach glazing using a variety of techniques, materials and firing ranges to achieve stunning surfaces that are sure to inspire your work. This book provides step-by-step details on materials, preparing your work, resists, layering, lusters, underglazes, majolica, china paint, stencils, spraying, pouring, and more.

Tom Radca has worked in pottery for more than 20 years specializing in Large Raku Platters and hand-cut tiles. He says that in his first venture into making large platters, he made more than 70 of which only 8 survived. Through experimentation and determination, he figured out all the technical issues from forming through firing and shares the how-to results here. See how he does it. Hal Riegger is considered the Father of American Raku having begun practicing the technique in the 1940’s.

Raku, pit and barrel firing are three of the most popular firing techniques in ceramics. Accessible to anyone involved in this expressive medium, the unifying theme of these three techniques is the ability to work directly with the fire to achieve both quick and unique results not available with more conventional firing techniques. You'll discover some of the most beautiful alternatively-fired work, as well as extensive how-to techniques and step-by-step instructions.

A book on glaze technology and practice discusses not only the calculation of glaze composition, but also the preparation and production of glazes. The book addresses application methods and how to remedy faults that may occur.

Throwing is an important skill for any potter to master, using only a few tools, the guidance of the hands, and the momentum of a wheel. Richard Phethean describes essential techniques for working on the wheel with an eye to the practical. He covers a range of forms, from simple domestic pots to more complex vessels, with the aim of building makers' confidence in throwing techniques. Throwing is an essential companion for anyone attempting to master the art of forming pots on the wheel.

For many years, ceramic artists have used printmaking, drawing and photography to enhance the surfaces of their work. Using underglazes, slips, and glazes it’s entirely possible to take advantage many 2-D mediums to decorate both functional and sculptural work.

Throwing and handbuilding are at the core of all studio ceramics techniques. Through skill and imagination, some of the most talented artists and craftsmen can take these basic techniques and produce extremely creative works of art. By learning their techniques, and a little practice, you'll be able to create unique works of your own. Throwing & Handbuilding: Forming Techniques is a collection of 24 carefully selected projects and techniques.

Throwing large work is definitely challenging and takes a different approach than throwing normal-sized pots. Nic Collins looks at throwing purely from the perspective of making very large work. He assumes you can already throw, but different techniques are needed when making large work because of all the added problems—buckling, collapsing, warping—not to mention that the techniques needed to physically throw much larger work are very different.

Whether you fire in oxidation, reduction, or neutral—with gas, electricity, or wood—High Fire Glazes delivers an enormous array of surface possibilities. The recipes in this book have been used and tested by more professional artists, over a longer period of time, than those at other temperature ranges.

This extensive how-to book puts you in touch with all the creative potential of the extruder. With more than 50% new material, this book features new works by artists, up-to-date information on extruders, and sixteen great step-by-step demonstrations, making it a must for anyone with an extruder in their studio.

Masters-Earthenware-Major Works by Leading Artists

Masters: Earthenware offers a glimpse of the tremendous range of imagination, innovation, and technical facility that characterizes contemporary use of the oldest ceramic medium.