Ceramics, mosaic and glass: artworks Books

Book SynopsisTrade ReviewIt would not be entirely amiss to describe Yanagi's position in Japan as comparable to that of Ruskin and Morris in England ... He left as a legacy an aesthetic and religious creed of vital importance to men and women all over the world -- Bernard LeachWhat impresses me most in Yanagi is the strength of his vision, his direct eye for beauty. His was an immediate and intuitive faculty of an extraordinary kind -- Shoji HamadaRadical and inspiring ... Yanagi's vision puts the connection between heart and hand before the transient and commercial -- Edmund de WaalSoetsu Yanagi's unerring eye has influenced generations of makers. His notion of Zen and the art of design continues to inspire all those involved in shaping our everyday world -- Jasper Morrison

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Book SynopsisAn indispensable compendium of technical know-how and troubleshooting tips Just like having a mosaic tutor on call 24 hours a day-this book is packed with handy, time-saving tips and technical knowledge to improve your skills, speed up the learning process, and give your unique mosaics a professional finish. Easy-to-follow step-by-step techniques, photography, and illustrations. Handy, professional quick fixes and solutions for commonly encountered problems. Advice on what to buy and how to use the tools and materials-from ceramic tiles to pebbles, shells, and beads. Tips on design: finding ideas, drawing outlines, order of work, and adding eye-catching details.Trade ReviewOct 12 A great book for anyone wishing to know more about mosaic. It literally covers everything and has lot of inspiring techniques and projects to try. It's a new book too, only came out in August and I have to say I am impressed with it! I have learned something every time I have had a read through. It is easy to follow and well laid out. I think it will be a book that will be on my shelves for a long time as it covers everything for beginners and experienced mosaic artists a like. It is full of useful information and I highly recommend it if you have an interest in this craft.-spansstudio.co.uk * makeandcraft.com *Table of Contents* An indispensable mosaic compendium, packed with everything you need to know * Clear, step-by-step techniques are accompanied by useful illustrations and photographs * Includes handy tips, technical advice, inspiration and ideas

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Book SynopsisAmazing Glaze sets out all you need to create your own amazing glazes: recipes, foundational and advanced techniques, and inspiration from some of the best contemporary ceramicists.Trade ReviewThis book made me fall in love with glaze all over again. With Amazing Glaze, Gabriel has created that rare glaze book that is both thorough and accessible, giving you the information and inspiration you need to spark your creativity. It is a must have for potters that are looking to expand their knowledge of ceramic surfaces and glazes. * Ben Carter, author of Mastering the Potter’s Wheel *Amazing Glaze takes an engaging look at what a glaze is, then why and how to use it, with a strong emphasis on planning ahead. It’s a book that will help many who struggle with the process—it may even encourage a new perspective for those who are in the ‘I hate glazing’ camp. If you find that you approach glazing with trepidation and anxiety that leads to indecision, or if you need more variation, creativity, and spontaneity in your surfaces, Kline's guidance will help you get beyond those roadblocks and find successful, personalized solutions to finishing your work. * Jessica Knapp, Editor, Ceramics Monthly *

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Book SynopsisAn essential book for potters and ceramicists of all abilities who are interested in creating their own glazes. This new, revised edition of Emmanuel Cooper’s classic book is your complete guide to making glazes. Along with an introductory section on glaze materials; colouring, mixing and applying glazes, and information on health and safety issues, the book gives you over 400 glaze recipes – organised according to the different temperature ranges – which cover everything from opaque, matt and transparent glazes to crystalline and black iron glazes. Illustrated with coloured glaze tiles, this reference book is a must for the bookshelves of all potters whatever their level of expertise.Table of ContentsIntroduction The Glaze Materials Glaze Temperature and Classification Colouring Glazes Mixing the Glaze Applying the Glaze Adjusting the Glaze Health and Safety The Glaze Recipes Appendices List of Materials Conversion Tables Further Reading Suppliers

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Book SynopsisWritten by Bernard Leach, the father of British studio pottery, this seminal book is the first treatise to be written by a potter on the workshop traditions handed down from the greatest period of Chinese ceramics in the Sung dynasty. With this book, potters can learn everything from how to adapt recipes for pigments and glazes to designing kilns.Trade Review“With his writings as well as with his ceramics, Leach played a major role in elevating the status of the European potter from craftsman to artist, thereby paving the way for the twentieth-century studio pottery movement.” * New York Times *"This updated edition of the classic by Leach (British potter and teacher) belongs on every ceramist’s bookshelf. Minor text changes, a look at Leach’s impact on the West, and numerous color photographs make this an even more valuable resource than the 1940 original. Highly recommended." * Choice *"This fine new edition of A Potter’s Book, first published in 1940, shows representative images of his work (and sometimes his son David’s) alongside Japanese or Korean wares made from similar bodies or using similar glazes. It is always easy to spot the Leach." * Times Literary Supplement *"This edition, published 75 years after the first edition in 1940, remains faithful to Leach’s text, while also including color versions of the original images (where available), color images of his pots, and additional images to clarify various points. A preface by Leach’s grandson, Philip Leach, updates the family’s story and frames the important role this book has played in countless potters’ lives." * Ceramic Arts *"Despite the idiosyncrasy of Leach’s East-meets-West output and ideas, he expressed these so often and with such solemn conviction in numerous books, talks and tours that by the 1950s they had become doctrine. A Potter’s Book (1940) had the greatest impact: even today, its mixture of poetry, philosophy and practical instruction earns it the soubriquet 'the potter’s bible'." * Apollo *Table of ContentsThe Leach Legacy by Philip Leach Leach in Japan by Soyetsu Yanagi Preface by Michael Cardew Author’s Preface 1. Towards a Standard 2. Raku - English Slipware - Stoneware - Porcelain 3. Clays 4. The Making of Clay Shapes 5. Decoration 6. Pigments and Glazes 7. Kilns 8. The Workshop Footnotes Appendix A - Potters Terms, Tools & Materials Appendix B - Conversion Charts Appendix C - Seger Pyrometric Cones Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisA diverse selection of contemporary ceramic work by Japanese women, featuring stunning pieces from virtuosic artists

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewCeramicist Jo Davies' book give a clear, through and practical account of firing, explaining the techniques and ideas behind the magical stage of making. It highlights commonly overlooked details that can lead to disastorous results and shares useful tips to help you achieve the best from your kiln. It also profiles leading makers and illustrates how their use of kilns contributes to their unique and beautiful work. This book will be your handbook to successful and confident firing. -- Jessica Browne, Ceramic Review * Ceramic Review *This very prepossessing publication has to be one of the most important books to be published this year for anyone involved in or who wants to develop their interest in ceramics. It is also very timely in that it meets the new market for ceramic making and people wanting to start their own studio at whatever entry level. This book by Jo Davies starts from the premise of asking what is it you want to fire and with which effect. Not forgetting the type of clay used and where will the kiln live, that you are just about to buy. My advice is to stop immediately and buy this book and read it from cover to cover. It’s going to answer all the questions you need to know and save you a lot of money. -- Paul Bailey. Emerging Potters magazine * Emerging Potters magazine *This very prepossessing publication has to be one of the most important books to be published this year for anyone involved in, or wants to develop their interest in ceramics. It is also very timely in that it meets the new market for ceramic making and people wanting to start their own studio at whatever entry level. -- Paul Bailey, Emerging Potters Magazine Oct-Dec 23 * Emerging Potters Magazine Oct-Dec 23 *

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Book SynopsisThe 25 featured artists explain, in their own words, the creative processes behind their work, what inspires them, the strategies they use to stay fresh and creative, what distinguishes their work from that of other ceramic artists, and how they achieve this. Through examples of their most personal creations, -objects capable of affecting us emotionally, surprising us and making us think-, the artists reveal important details about their ceramic creations such as how it was made, how it was shaped and which glaze and engobe coating they used to give the clay color and texture. The reader is provided with an illuminating glimpse into each artist’s unique creative world, including the defining features of their work and some of the secrets that characterize their artistic processes. Paragons of exploration, risk and versatility, the extraordinary artists highlighted in this book rediscover thousand-year-old traditions, reinvent perspectives, transcend boundaries, tell stories and rebel from conventional expectations, creating in the process an exhilarating space where art, clay, water, air and fire meet and, ultimately, inspire. Some of the ceramists included are: BELGIUM: Ann VanHoey; CHINA: Wan Liya; NETHERLANDS: Cecil Kemperink; UK: Nicholas Lees; USA: Lauren Nauman, among others.

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Book SynopsisA complete guide to fantastic special effects glazes for studio potters. From drippy and crackle to ash and lichen glazes, experienced ceramicist Linda Bloomfield guides you through the world of special effect glazes. Beautifully illustrated with pieces from both emerging and established potters that showcase stunning copper oxide-blues, metallic bronzes and manganese-pink crystal glazes, Special Effect Glazes is packed full of recipes to try out: from functional oilspot glazes using iron oxide, to explosive lava glazes. In this informative handbook discover how you can create these fantastic effects and learn the basic chemistry behind glazes in order to adjust and experiment with your unique pieces. Discussed are materials and stains, how to find them and how they affect the colour and texture of the glaze, alongside practical fixes to familiar glaze-making problems. Special Effect Glazes is essential if you are interested in creating eye-catching glazes and wanting to develop your knowledge of glaze-making, or experiment with your own formulas to achieve the perfect finish.Trade ReviewRight up there with the best of them ... Linda should be congratulated * London Potters *The knowledge of glazes is an evolutionary process ... Special Effect Glazes makes a valuable and desirable contribution to this lineage of knowledge ... I encourage you to embrace this delightful publication. -- Kevin Boyd * The Journal of Australian Ceramics *... there is a ton of information and a variety of recipes in this book [...] there are many useful clues and ideas of how to test and push the glazes in a direction that works for your studio. * The Studio Manager *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Section 1: Glaze Principles and Application 1. Understanding Glazes 2. Glaze Materials and Minerals 3. Colouring Glazes 4. Impurities and Variation In Materials 5. Stability and Durability 6. Creating and Testing Glazes 7. Glaze Mixing and Application 8. Firing 9. Glaze ‘Defects’ Section 2: Special Effect Glazes 10. Special Effects: The Chemistry 11. Crackle Glazes 12. Ash Glazes 13. Celadon and Copper Red Glazes 14. Drippy Glazes and Chun Glazes 15. Crystalline Glazes 16. Shrink and Crawl: Lichen Glazes 17. Volcanic, Lava or Crater Glazes 18. Spotted Glazes 19. Metallic Glazes 20. Layering Glazes Conclusion References Bibliography Appendices 1. Glaze Materials UK:US Materials Substitutions 2. Orton Cone Temperatures 3. Ceramic Materials, Chemical Formula and Molecular Weight 4. Limits for Stable Glazes 5. Periodic Table of Elements 6. Materials Analysis for UK Frits, Clays and Feldspars 7. Materials Analysis for US Frits, Clays and Feldspars Suppliers Laboratories for Leach Testing of Glazes Health and Safety Index

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Book SynopsisFocusing on the pottery surface, Carve Your Clay covers a wide range of decorative carving techniques, from piercing, etching, inlaying to sgraffito, faceting, and fettling. The techniques are taught through 20 projects in Hilda’s signature style, with clear, step-by-step photography and easy-to-follow instructions to achieve beautiful results. With easy guides on how to create form as well as glazing and firing, this is a comprehensive guide suitable for new and practising potters alike.Trade ReviewFocusing on the pottery surface this book covers a wide range of decorative carving techniques, from incising, combing, inlaying to sgraffito, faceting and fettling. The techniques are taught through 16 projects with clear step-by-step photographs and easy-to-follow instructions. With easy guides on how to create form as well as information on glazing and firing, this is a comprehensive guide suitable for potters of all skill levels. * Emerging Potters *Table of ContentsContents Meet Hilda Chapter One: Introduction to Carving Chapter Two: Tools Chapter Three: Inspiration Chapter Four: The Projects 1. Serving plate – sgraffito 2. Sink tidy – Mishima inlay 3. Jug – faceting 4. Candle holder – piercing 5. Hanging planter – fettling 6. Utensil jar – carving agateware 7. Bottle vase – combing 8. Serving tray – carving and impressing 9. Wall tiles – geometric carving 10. Noodle bowl – carving during throwing 11. Mug – faceting 12. Mini cactus planter – sgraffito on glaze 13. Planter – carving 14. Cylinder vase – sgraffito 15. Serving bowl – organic carving 16. “Initial” coaster – sgraffito using printed template 17. Cup – multi-layered carving of a slip-cast form 18. Stem vase – etching 19. Salad bowl – relief carving 20. Pie dish – wire cutting Index

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Book SynopsisA reference for all ceramic artists and designers, packed with information and glaze recipes. Each of the glazes is reproduced pictorially so that readers can see the colour and surface responses it has to offer, and each is accompanied by a brief description, the firing range, and suggested uses.Trade Review'A useful reference for all ceramic artists and designers' - CraftsTable of ContentsSection One; Methods and Techniques; Glaze Raw Materials; Glazing Tools and Equipment; Mixing a Glaze; Methods of Applications; Section Two; Glaze Recipes; Earthenware; Stoneware; Porcelain

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Book SynopsisAn essential handbook for studio potters working towards achieving a fantastic spectrum of colourful glazes. Colour in Glazes teaches you all the methods for achieving colour in glazes, focusing on colouring oxides in detail, including the newly available rare earth oxides. Find out about the types of base glazes and the fluxes used to make them in relation to colour response as well as using colouring oxides to achieve depth and variety of colour, rather than resorting to commercial ceramic stains. Discover the practical aspects of mixing, applying, testing and adjusting glazes, and explore a large section of test tiles and glaze recipes for use on white earthenware, stoneware and porcelain fired in electric, gas and salt kilns. This new edition, fully updated and revised, contains advances in technology and new discoveries in the Periodic Table. It is an infallible handbook to achieving the colour you want, and to help you broaden your palette.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1. A brief history of colour in glazes 2. Principles of glaze chemistry 3. Glaze materials 4. Base glazes 5. Colouring oxides and colour development 6. Mixing glazes 7. Applying glazes 8. Testing glazes 9. Firing 10. Correcting glaze faults Glossary Appendices Suppliers Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisGet inspired and get glazing! Amazing Glaze Recipes and Combinations provides a captivating collection of sure-fire glaze recipes and electrifying combinations for low-fire, mid-range, and high-fire potters. Hundreds of photos and technically-edited recipes ensure you'll get the best possible results. Whether you're searching for excitement at cone 6 or looking for the perfect high-fire shino recipe, you've come to the right place. Join Gabriel Kline, author of Amazing Glaze and founder of Odyssey Clayworks, for page after color-filled page of glazes. Start by learning the keys to success when applying glazes, then choose the temperature range you want to explore first. Gabriel's collection of well-tested recipes draw on his decades of experience as an instructor and leader of a communal arts studio—including current and past student favorites as well as a few timeless gems. Of course he doesn't stop there! In addition to plentiful tiles showing off two-glaze combinations, Gabriel shares multi-glaze combinations developed through years of trial and error. From waterfall blues to eye-popping bursts of red, there's a rainbow of options. Just as in Amazing Glaze, the recipes have all been technically edited and each one has a photo. By controlling specific gravity and application, the goal is always getting the perfect coat of glaze recipe after recipe. Special topics like majolica and raku firing provide welcome detours, and a variety of artist features serve as launching points for new explorations. Stunning galleries from today's top artists provide even more glazing ideas.Trade Review"This is a worthy resource for artisans wishing to expand their knowledge of pottery glazes. Explanations are clear, and the photographs of finished pieces might inspire readers to advance their skills. Experienced ceramists especially will find useful information in this comprehensive work, to take their pottery to a higher level of artistry" * Library Journal * “Gabriel Kline’s workshop approach to exploring glazes includes reliable and engaging recipes. This book will help you get started and provide a go-to reference for continued experimentation and growth.” * Jessica Knapp, editor, Ceramics Monthly, associate editor, Pottery Making Illustrated *“A compendium of insightful approaches to surface development. It’s a staple for your clay-learning library.” * Deb Schwartzkopf, author of Creative Pottery and founder/owner Rat City Studio *“This book is a must for every pottery studio and school…such quality work, images, and instruction. I love seeing contemporary makers doing diverse things with glaze. Absolutely love it!” * Roberto Lugo, Potter and Assistant Professor *“The first thing you will notice when thumbing through this book is the amazing variety and vibrancy of the colors. These are not the “brown round” pots of the 1970’s…these pots are alive! Gabriel does a masterful job of showing what is possible when combining glazes, drawing back the curtain in a way that makes it easy to find success quickly.” * John Britt, author of The Complete Guide to Mid-Range Glazes and The Complete Guide to High-Fire Glazes *“Ideal and unreservedly recommended.” * Midwest Book Review *

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Book SynopsisThrown is a beginner's guide to making ceramics using a pottery wheel. Beginning with the basics, this book will teach you how to create a collection of 20 stylish homewares from construction to completion with a professional finish including decoration, glazing and firing techniques. From dinner plates, pasta bowls, coffee mugs to decorative vases, a rippled lampshade and more, each project is minimal in design but with thoughtful details, making it the ideal for first time crafters.Complete with stunning lifestyle photography and clear step-by-step instructions to inspire your handmade journey, Thrown is the ultimate modern guide to this addictive, tactile craft.

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to developing unique glaze effects from natural and sustainable sources. Making your own glazes is a fascinating and rewarding process, even more so when making them from collected ingredients. With little equipment and following a few basic principles, it is possible to harvest glaze ingredients from your local environment, such as clay, subsoil, plants and seashells, to achieve beautiful results in the kiln. Whether you wish to make an entire glaze using collected materials, or just want to use them as additions to existing base recipes, Miranda Forrest teaches you how to source and prepare natural ingredients, from degraded rocks to seaweed, and gives you step-by-step instructions for mixing a glaze, testing samples and finally applying glazes and firing your work. Contributions from contemporary ceramicists who use natural glaze ingredients give you a detailed insight into their working methods and intriguing results. Encouraging experimentation and a creative approach, Natural Glazes is a vital resource for anyone wishing to work in a more natural and sustainable way to develop unique glaze effects.Trade ReviewThis is a very personal account strongly illustrating the love Ms. Forrest has for her environment and her desire to incorporate this into her life and work. The book will be of interest to potters in general and also provide a very useful introduction to the techniques for anyone who wishes to work with found materials. * London Potters News *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction 1. What is a ceramic glaze? 2. Recognising natural glaze materials 3. Preparation of materials 4. Glazes derived from rocks 5. Glazes derived from plants and animals 6. Making your glaze 7. Glaze application and firing 8. Found clay bodies 9. Raku 10. Artists who work with natural materials 11. Gallery 12. Health and safety Conclusion Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis is a rich source of inspiration and guidance and will become a well thumbed reference for many potters. Each chapter is a rich source of ideas, illustrations, suggestions and offerings, with something new for everyone to consider, experiment or to try anew. There is also a helpful list of suppliers in the US and UK . -- Jackie Harrop, Dacorum & Chiltern Potters Guild Newsletter * Dacorum & Chiltern Potters Guild Newsletter *Developing a decorative surface can take as much time and effort as it does to make the ceramic piece, and is crucial to the individual style of the maker. This book is an easy reference point for any maker to consider the options which are open to them. Over 30 ceramic makers share their individual way of working in this extensive book. -- Paul Bailey. Emerging Potters magazine * Emerging Potters magazine *Surface Decoration for the contemporary maker is a book of beautiful images and solid content like a good lush cookery book which provides you with successful recipes and a happy feeling. Content needs to support images and this book is a successful marriage of the two, it just happens to be in the pottery world. -- Sarah Vanic, Northern Potters Association Newsletter * Northern Potters Association Newsletter. *

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Book SynopsisMastering Hand Building teaches everything you need to know about building with clay by hand, from the basics of coils and slabs through more complex form design.Trade Review"This book is like the best of Sunshine’s pots: a marvel of construction that balances flashy tricks with soulful surprises. The jewels of hard-won knowledge within are piquant, and will linger in your head (and hands) for a long time." -- Garth Johnson, Curator of Ceramics, ASU Art Museum Ceramics Research Center"Anyone who has been lucky enough to take a class with Sunshine will instantly recognize her generosity, humor, and expertise in this book. For all others, it will introduce you to Sunshine’s big heart and organized mind, her sense of form and color, and the joy she finds in making everyday pots. Keep this book close at hand—if you’re using it correctly it should be covered in fingerprints and glaze splatter in no time." -- Leslie Noell, Director of Programs, Penland School of Crafts"Sunshine shares her years of experience working with various hand building techniques to create architectural forms with a strong sense of identity in such an enthusiastic and approachable way that I found myself thinking that she was in the same room with me, sharing her processes, answering anticipated questions, and offering advice." -- Jessica Knapp, Editor, Ceramics Monthly"A must-have book for any potter or teacher, Mastering Hand Building makes me want to be in my studio . . . making pots!" -- Bill Griffith, Administrator/Educator and Potter, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts"For a no-nonsense approach to hand building and vessel construction in clay, look no further. As only she can, Sunshine offers generous and straightforward information for the beginning to advanced artist and thoughtful interviews with many talented artists in our field." -- Steven Young Lee, Director, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts"Sunshine Cobb has established a remarkable reputation for quirky, colorful, and thoroughly contemporary pottery. Her new book is just as remarkable. With an engaging combination of technical mastery and philosophical insight, the author’s ebullient personality fairly oozes from the seams of this terrific new studio handbook." -- John Neely, Potter and Professor, Utah State University

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Book SynopsisStories From the Kitchen Dresser, A Memoir.Trade ReviewIn these 'stories', Emma shares her passions and with them comes a satisfying feeling of wellbeing. * The Good Book Guide *Emma Bridgewater, queen of kitchenware, proves herself queen of the memoir too. As attractive, comforting and encouraging as her products, this book is similarly innocent of tweeness or cloying cosiness. The crunch of good toast and the bitter sweetness of good marmalade in fact. * Stephen Fry *Emma Bridgewater's captivating recipe for a happy family life: food, passion, work, love. * Meg Rosoff *In these 'stories', Emma shares her passions and with them comes a satisfying feeling of wellbeing. * The Good Book Guide *What a great read - a true British inspiration story - I loved it! * Cath Kidston *

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate illustrated guide for sourcing, processing and using wild clay. Potters around the world are taking to the local landscape to dig their own wild clay, discover its unique properties, and apply it to their craft. This guide is the ideal starting point for anyone – from novices, improvers and experts to educators and students – who wants to forge a closer bond between their art and their surroundings. Testing and trial and error are key to finding a material’s best use, so the authors’ tips, drawn from long experience in the US and Japan (but which can be applied to clays anywhere) provide an enviable head-start on this rewarding journey. A clay might be best suited to sculpture and tile bodies, throwing clay bodies, handbuilding and slab bodies, or simply be applied as a glaze or slip. The specific properties of found materials can create a diverse range of effects and surfaces, or, even when not fired, can be adapted for use as colorful pastels or pigments. Beautiful illustrations and helpful technical descriptions explain the formation of various clays; how to locate, collect and assess them; how to test their properties of shrinkage, water absorption, texture and plasticity; the best ways to test-fire them; and how to adapt a clay’s characteristics by blending appropriate materials. From prospecting in the field to holding your finished product, there is helpful advice through every stage, and a gallery of work by international potters who have embraced the clays found around them.Trade ReviewThis beautifully illustrated guide is the ideal starting point for those wanting to forge a closer bond between their art and their natural surroundings. * Ceramics Now *Finding your own clay—especially for use as a glaze material or to augment a commercial clay body—is increasingly popular and this book is a guide to finding, testing, and using wild clay. * The Studio Manager *A fascinating guide to finding your own clay and creating your own glazes. Billed as ideal starting point for novices, experts, and everyone in between, this is an excellent addition to the experienced ceramicist’s library, but also to those new to the art. * Book Riot *Table of ContentsForeword: Wild Clay Introduction: Why Wild Clay? 1. A Personal Journey Through Wild Clay 2. Soil Ecology and Geology 3. Finding Clay 4. Processing and Testing Wild Clay 5. Making Clay Bodies 6. Glazes, Slips, and Alternative Practices 7. Artist Spotlights Bibliography Glossary of Terms Index

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Book SynopsisAccording to Ceramics Monthly, approximately 75 per cent of potters glaze their pieces at mid-range temperatures. This is a complete studio guide to successful glazing at mid-range temperature. It explores all the fundamental techniques, as well as offering artisan tips for specialist glazing.

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Book SynopsisA fresh, unstuffy guide to the stained-glass windows of England's churches, including a list of the top 50 places to see outstanding examples. The magical qualities of stained glass have an enduring appeal, but church windows tend to be ignored as a form of creative and artistic expression. Yet churches are accessible treasure trove of history, art and craftsmanship. No other set of historic buildings with such superb and important architectural and artists assets is as easy to visit. How to Look at Stained Glass is the companion guide that's needed to make sense of and enjoy the vast array of stained-glass windows in the churches of England. This fresh, unstuffy guide: - Uses an A-Z format to reveal a multitude of fascinating details - all the way from apples to zig-zags - Explores stained glass by themes, patterns, designs and effects - Requires no previous historical, artistic or religious knowledge - Covers all the major periods and styles, from medieval to modern, Victorian to postwar, eighteenth century to Arts and Crafts, figurative to abstract - Examines the fascinating and evolving iconography of stained glass - Makes looking at gloriously colourful, artistically important windows both entertaining and rewarding - Features a list of the top 50 places to see outstanding examples - Offers a useful index of churches by countyTrade ReviewIf you venture out into the country, whether by car, bicycle, or train, it would be a good idea to tuck this book into the glove compartment, pannier, or rucksack * Church Times *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Exploring a Church How a Stained-Glass Window is Made A–Z of Stained Glass 50 Places to See Stained Glass Further Reading List of Images Index of Churches

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Book SynopsisThis is the black and white paperback edition of Pattern, published in hardback in 2016 by Saltyard Books.If you would like the original colour illustrated version of Pattern it is available in hardback ISBN 9781444734942. Creativity, collaboration, inspirationEmma Bridgewater''s patterns are as quintessentially British as marmalade on toast - and they have made her distinctive homewares best sellers across the world.Her inspiration is often deeply personal - a plate of her mother''s, a favourite children''s book - and as she tells the stories of each pattern''s creation, she reveals the intricate processes of research and collaboration behind the familiar designs she has stamped on our kitchenware - and our hearts - for the past thirty years.Both an entrancing trip down memory lane and a behind-the-scenes look at a thriving creative business, Emma Bridgewater''s PATTERN is essential reading for anyone who has ever turnTrade ReviewEmma's recollections about the geneses of her iconic spongeware patterns - from multi-coloured polka dots to leaping rabbits - are well written, revealing and charming... the patterns in this book are largely Emma's own, hence her meandering reveries, which elevate this book from a mere catalogue of designs to something of a memoir. * House & Garden *Beautiful... Emma would modestly describe herself, not as a master potter, but as a 'grubby industrialist with a factory making useful everyday ware'. But really, that self-effacing description fails to capture the delight and charm of the uniquely British brand celebrated in Pattern, and the simple joy her designs have brought to millions. * The Lady *No one understands pattern and design quite like Emma. This gem of a book celebrates her passion for British ceramics, her beautiful design and joyful pattern. * Kirstie Allsopp *

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Book SynopsisA stunning book on kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with precious metals to highlight its history beautifully. A broken pot is made whole again, and within its golden repair we see a world of meaning. Kintsugi is the art of embracing imperfection. In Western cultures, the aim of repair has been to make the broken item ‘as good as new’. Kintsugi on the other hand, is a Japanese art that leaves an obvious repair – one that may appear fragile, but which actually makes the restored ceramic piece stronger, more beautiful, and more valuable than before. Leaving clear, bold, visible lines with the appearance of solid gold, it never hides the story of the object’s damage. Kintsugi traces memory, bringing together the moment of destruction and the gold seams of repair through finely-honed skills and painstaking, time-consuming labour in the creation of a new pot from the old. There is a story to be told with every crack, every chip. This story inevitably leads to kintsugi’s greatest strength. an intimate metaphoric narrative of loss and recovery, breakage and restoration, tragedy and the ability to overcome it. A kintsugi repair speaks of individuality and uniqueness, fortitude and resilience, and the beauty to be found in survival. Kintsugi leads us to a respectful and appreciative acceptance of hardship and ageing. Author Bonnie Kemske explores kintsugi's metaphorical power as well as exploring the technical and practical aspects of the art, meeting with artists and ceramists in Japan and the US to discuss their personal connection to this intricate technique. With the inclusion of diary entries, personal stories, and in-depth exploration of its origin and symbolism, this book shows kintsugi's metaphoric strength as well as its striking aesthetic, making it a unique and powerful art form that can touch our lives.Trade ReviewThoughtfully written and splendidly illustrated. * The Economist *You’re given the opportunity to travel to Japan through its pages and absorb more of this brilliant philosophy on objects and life. * Stylist *Bonnie Kemske traces the history of the art form in this lavishly illustrated book. * The i *Kintsugi: The Poetic Mend is a beautifully illustrated book where artist, Japanese tea ceremony student and author Bonnie Kemske guides us through the origins and techniques of kintsugi . . . It is visually gorgeous, its selection of pictures exquisite and it taught me a great deal of kintsugi. . . . The book is a testament of a narrative of loss and recovery, breakage and restoration, tragedy and ability to overcome it in respectful acceptance of loss and hardships. -- Eleonora Faina * The Japan Society *Kintsugi reveals how much more varied and exciting the practice of ceramic joining is than the iconic version now known internationally. * The Los Angeles Review of Books *Kemske’s rich and comprehensive survey, which also takes in the ritual of the tea ceremony, the contemporary art scene of kintsugi, and the framing of the techniques as a metaphor for overcoming tragedy and as a model of sustainability, illuminates a complex cultural sensibility with a long pedigree. * World of Interiors *Table of ContentsPrologue 1. Cracks made whole in a golden repair… and Nekowaride 2. Beautiful joins… and kintsugi in Arizona 3. Four historic elements… and a famous temper 4. Materials and techniques… and a collaboration 5. Cracks, breaks and reconstructions: kintsugi in contemporary use… and a visit to Goro 6. A metaphoric world… and a kintsugi repair List of illustrations Endnotes Bibliography Glossary Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisA celebration of art traditionally devalued as too domestic or feminine to be taken seriously and the innovative, brilliant artists reclaiming the idea of ‘women’s work’. Table of ContentsGee’s Bend Quilters Maria Martinez Elsa Schiaparelli Anni Albers Lucie Rie Lenore Tawney Dorothea Tanning Louise Bourgeois Rut Bryk Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian Miriam Schapiro Yayoi Kusama Faith Ringgold Magdalena Abakanowicz Olga de Amaral Sheila Hicks Eva Hesse Marva Lee Pitchford-Jolly Judy Chicago Judith Scott Annette Messager Isabelle de Borchgrave Dindga McCannon Cecilia Vicuña Mrinalini Mukherjee Polly Apfelbaum Sarah Lucas Yin Xiuzhen Simone Leigh Billie Zangewa Otobong Nkanga Alexandra Kehayoglou Sarah Zapata Tschabalala Self Hannah Hill More artists to explore Bibliography Index Picture credits Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisExplore the history of crystalline glazes and the various aspects of their production in this updated second edition.This book describes suitable clays and kilns, glaze recipes, glazing techniques and how to fire in both oxidation and reduction. This edition has been updated to include information about new crystalline glaze potters and redesigned with colour illustrations.

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Book SynopsisFrom Clay to Kiln is a must-have guide for anyone working with ceramics, from absolute beginners, weekend crafters and students, through to practising ceramicists. In this book, Stuart Carey invigorates and encourages you through all stages of the pottery process. Covering all the information you need about tools and materials, he takes you through preparation and hand building, throwing and finishing your vessel, to glazing and firing. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of how clay works and how to apply your skills to the wheel and beyond. With simple step-by-step tutorials, clear visuals and Stuart’s helpful hints and tips, you can jump straight in with confidence and create a piece of pottery that marries beauty, form and function. Including stunningly beautiful photography throughout, this is a book to inspire.Trade ReviewI’m very new to pottery, and have found it a relaxing and rewarding pastime. I haven’t braved the wheel yet and I found glazing to be a frustrating process. This book has really helped me understand the processes and has made me feel much more comfortable in trying out more processes. It’s clearly set out and has great photos, I’m ready to try that wheel now! Would highly recommend. -- Jane Mackenzie * Customer review *My mum loved this, being an ex-pottery teacher, she loved how simple and easy it was to follow. The pictures she thought were glorious, this book bought us back a lot of good memories and now we have a hard copy to treasure... Perfect book thank you. -- Vivian Allman-Neal * Customer review *Haven't done any ceramics before but this book has given me the encouragement and confidence to have a go. The pictures are great and explain things easily, especially for a visual learner. The text is equally as good. Each chapter moves you slowly from task to task, to end up with a completely finished piece of work. The glossary at the back is useful as is the fault-finding section. -- Jan Hudson * Customer review *Table of ContentsMeet Stuart 6 Chapter 1: Preparing and Hand Building 8 Meet the Materials 10 Wedging 12 Weighing and Balling 18 Hand Building 20 Chapter 2: Throwing 36 Body Position 38 Glossary of Hand Positions 40 Tools 46 Using a Bat 50 Planning a Project 52 Centering 54 Cylinder 58 Bowl 72 Plate 84 Chapter 3: Finishing your Vessel 90 Turning 92 Finishes 104 Handles 106 Chapter 4: Decoration: Glazing and Firing 120 Surface Finishes 122 Colour 128 Glaze and Glaze Making 130 Mixing and Sieving 136 Application 140 Firing 144 Faults and Flaws 148 Glossary 154 Index 157 Credits 160

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Book SynopsisThis is the first book devoted to the tiles of the British Arts and Crafts, including tiles designed by some of the greatest names associated with the movement.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the world of possibilities offered by paperclay with basic and more advanced techniques. Now firmly established in the ceramics world, paperclay is a vital part of the modern clay artist and potter's repertoire. The workability of this material allows expressive freedom and imagination at every stage in the creative process, from wet to dry. Paperclay, made with new or recycled paper, is remarkable for its flexibility, unfired strength, and the ease with which it can be repaired, and allows the creation of beautiful finished forms. In this book, pioneering artist, researcher and teacher Rosette Gault (M.F.A.) explains how you can make, fire and use paperclay. In addition to the basics such as ingredients, mixing and slips, she introduces you to more advanced techniques for building armatures, sculpting figures and making works for the wall. Packed throughout with photographs of inspiring works by a new generation of paperclay artists, Paperclay is an essential introduction to the medium.Trade ReviewEven after working in the ceramics industry for many years I found many things in this book to be of interest and use. Throughout I found it to be both informative and very thorough in its approach. The use of paperclay as a sculptural medium is both advantageous and exciting. A very attractive book and one every serious ceramic practitioner should have on the bookshelf. -- Alan Parris, Co-Director Aylesford Pottery, Kent UK * Aylesford School of Ceramics Newsletter *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Paperclay essentials 2. Ingredients and mixing 3. Paperclay slip 4. The leathersoft state 5. The dry state 6. Integration of methods 7. Figures - small and large 8. Support and armatures 9. Tiles and panels 10. Surface treatments, finishes and glazes 11. Firing 12. The new paperclay

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Book SynopsisA lavishly illustrated look at the history of Roman mosaics in Britain, from a renowned expert in the field.

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Book SynopsisWe all use ceramics on a daily basis without thinking much about it, except when it comes to a favourite mug or cup, for instance. Why is it a favourite? Is it that it holds just the right amount of tea or coffee? Is it that it sits comfortably in the hand with an ample handle that allows you to hold it safely? Is it the clay the cup is made from — a fine porcelain or robust stoneware? Is it the rustic shape or refined, delicate, traditional or contemporary design? Maybe you just like the pattern on the outside! Whatever the reason, someone will have been thinking about the ergonomics of the cup when they designed and made it and all the other ceramic items that you use, to ensure they work perfectly and give you pleasure to handle and serve your food and drink in. This book is a visual feast of ideas and advice to guide the maker through the process of designing and making successful functional ceramics that are practical and appealing in equal measure. It adopts a low-tech approach that is understandable and accessible for all and begins with the basic questions you will need to address before you begin. Each element of the process will be carefully considered, from deciding the function of the item to working out proportions and making basic drawings, to choosing the right clay, tools, and making method, and finally glazing and firing, including safety issues and the essential topic of suitability for food. Each chapter begins by presenting a varied range of basic shapes, be they thrown or hand built. The next section demonstrates a wide selection of handles, rims, feet, lids, knobs, spouts, lips, and other details that can be mixed and matched to form unique designs with personality and functionality. Working the whole process out in advance can reap tremendous rewards, ensuring the maker gets it right first time but also allowing the process to be repeated with minimum effort. From idea to finished item, this book will be the essential guide to all the techniques required to make functional ceramics that really work and give lasting pleasure to use.Trade ReviewThis practical and very elegant book concentrates on the actual making of everyday ceramics. Basic making methods of throwing, coiling and slabbing are explored, but does not look at surface decoration or slip casting and jigger/jolly have been omitted as they require a different level of technical skill. It is a project book aimed at the maker with a small studio or someone attending a studio. What the book does look at is the making. Chapters include health and safety, capturing ideas, the right clay, firing and basic glazes. Cups and mugs feature in chapter two followed by jugs and boats, plates and platters, bowls, dishes, casserole, teapots, and making methods. Each chapter has step-by-step photos of the process, together with different handle and spout making for each project. Throughout, the book is lavishly illustrated with photographs and copious amounts of notes and hints on how to best approach a project. For the beginner it is a must. * Emerging Potters *I am not a potter, but I do love pottery and would like to be able to make my own. This book provides a thorough insight into the process and includes a wide variety of projects from mugs, to jugs to teapots! Not all require a wheel - coiling and slabbing are covered too. I feel inspired to have a go! -- Myra ArmsonBeautiful book filled with lots of wonderful ideas and projects to make. I love how it gives you an overview of what's needed to make everything it gives you a really good idea of where to start. * Ella Eske *This book has got me very excited & enthusiastic about taking up Pottery. * Alan Snowbal *An interesting read, lots of illustrations, photos and guidance on different types of clay and styles of pottery to be made. As a non potter i feel i would be inclined to read a beginners guide to pottery and ceramics, by the same author first if i were going to delve into the pottery world to gain more basic knowledge. * Becca Blackwell *Ramp up your pottery skills with this specialized manual, as British ceramics professional and author Atkin offers design techniques to reduce errors in finished pieces. With projects including simple mugs and stylish teapots, tips and options are highlighted throughout, focusing on the construction rather than finishes. This polished book is a lovely addition to the field of pottery. The projects are attractive and well explained. It’s not a beginner’s manual, however—throwing technique is briefly covered, and explanations on the use of tools, materials, firing, and glazes are cursory. VERDICT Highly recommended for intermediate students still working through the fine details of potterymaking. * Library Journal USA *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One - Before you begin Planning Getting your ideas down on paper Formers and templates The right choice of clay Glaze and other decorating mediums Chapter Two - Cups and mugs Design decisions Thrown mug Hand-built mug Pinched mug Handles for mugs Chapter Three - Teapots Design decisions Thrown teapot Coiled teapots Slabbed teapots The essential non-drip spout for teapots Handles for teapots Lids and knobs for teapots Chapter Four - Pitchers and Boats Design decisions Thrown pitchers Lips or snips Coiled pitchers Slabbed pitchers Pinched pitchers Handles for pitchers Chapter Five - Plates, saucers and platters Design decisions Thrown plates Slabbed plates Saucers Platters Chapter Six - Bowls, dishes and casseroles Design decisions Thrown bowls Coiled bowls and dishes Slabbed bowls and dishes Handles, lugs, feet and knobs for dishes Chapter Seven - Basic making methods Glossary, index and credits

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThis is the first book on the practical aspects of stained glass that I’ve seen in a very long time and the first to be fully illustrated in colour. To have something you can go to between lessons for extension, revision and clarification would be useful and this should fit the brief well. I’d say this is an excellent introduction and companion to work in stained glass that will be fully satisfying and not one to leave you wanting more. -- Henry, Artbookreviewer.net * Artbookreviewer.net *

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Book SynopsisBrian Taylor is the Ceramics Studio Manager at Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill in Truro, Massachusetts. Kate Doody is an artist and teacher who works with ceramics and sculptural materials.

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Book SynopsisA fully illustrated examination of the use of color in clay, outlining its history and exploring the styles and techniques of the leading modern makers. Mix two or more colors of clay as part of a piece’s design, and you are creating nerikomi. There are many techniques – stacking, stretching, slicing – but with nerikomi, the decoration is built and fired into the work’s very fabric, rather than glazing it later. This beautifully illustrated introduction by accomplished nerikomi specialist Thomas Hoadley includes: – A brief history of the origins and international styles of colored clay – A section dedicated to the most honored Japanese Masters of nerikomi – Stunning examples of work from the world’s leading experts – Step-by-step examples of many of the techniques employed Whether you simply enjoy the beauty of multicolored clay, or are seeking inspiration, this essential volume contains everything you need to embark on your own nerikomi projects.Table of ContentsPreface A Colorful History Early Chinese and Korean Colored Clay Ceramics Agateware Twentieth-century Japan Japanese Masters Matsui Kosei – Ito Sekisui V – Ogata Kamio – Kondo Takahiro – Nishi Koichi The Nerikomi Technique: One Artist's Approach Colored Clay Worldwide Hans Munck Andersen – Janny Baek – Curtis Benzle – Angela Burkhardt-Guallini – Mandy Cheng – Ben Davies – Mieke Everaet – Dorothy Feibleman – Barbara Gittings – Robert Hessler – Cody Hoyt – Narumi Ii – Francoise Joris – Maria ten Kortenaar – Judy McKenzie – Anne Mossman – Aya Murata – Jongjin Park – David Pottinger – Kanako Sahashi – Lorraine Shemesh – Tsuneharu Tanaka – Larissa Warren – Dorothee Wenz – Lotte Westphael – Henk Wolvers Conclusion Acknowledgments Bibliography Glossary Thomas Hoadley: Resume and Publications Index

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Book SynopsisFully updated and revised, with new photographs and glaze recipes, this is the third edition of this classic guide to ash glazes. Forever curious and eager to learn new things about ceramics, Phil Rogers constantly tinkered with clay bodies, glaze formulae and approaches to firing. This volume is his seminal work on transforming ash into glaze: an essential text for all potters and ceramicists with additional relevance today with its focus on prioritising the use of natural resources. Ash Glazes examines the practicalities of collecting and testing wood ashes, demonstrates the process of making them into glazes and offers a step-by-step guide to using them to decorate your pots. This edition, updated and revised by Hajeong Lee Rogers, is a celebration of pottery at its best. Starting with an introduction to the history of ash glazes, then moving on to a wide range of practical advice and methods, the book is enlivened by photographs of the work of potters from around the world, who use ash in colourful and imaginative ways. It provides true inspiration for working potters and delight for all those interested in contemporary ceramics.Trade ReviewThe most useful and definitive guide to the various uses of wood ashes in glaze application. -- Mike Dodd, internationally acclaimed potterPotters, young and old, will delight in the updates, and our continuing experiments and revelations will be fitting tributes to all that Phil and Hajeong have contributed to our field. -- Mark Hewitt, author of 'The Potter's Eye'For those seeking a single reference work which both introduces the topic but also gives you the tools, knowledge and encouragement to experiment in your own environment this is undoubtedly the definitive choice. * Westcountry Potters *Table of ContentsIntroduction Preface to the Third Edition Foreword Author Preface A Brief History of Wood Ash Glazes The Growing Plant What is Wood Ash? Collecting and Preparing Wood Ash What are Glazes and How do they Work? Making Glazes Ash-like Glazes without Ash Potters' profiles Katherine Pleydell-Bouverie Terry Bell-Hughes Mike Dodd Lis Ehrenreich John Jelfs Dick Lehman Jim Malone Eric James Mellon Jim Robison John Thies Tom Turner Phil Rogers Showcase Ash Glaze Recipes Ash Analyses & Molecular Weights Glossary Bibliography Index Afterword

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Book SynopsisShio Kusaka’s ceramic vessels articulate poetic connections, creating a cohesive and unique installation. ---------- “It’s a striking effect—some pieces are bowl-shaped, others are cylindrical, a few have slim, sloping necks. Their linear arrangement suggests some kind of progression through time and space.” — Document Journal ----------- While pulling inspiration and techniques from ancient Japanese ceramics as well as from popular culture and everyday life, Kusaka carves new language into her artwork. Employing various types of clay and firing methods, she experiments with line, color, and size to bring fresh life to the medium. This harmonious presentation is created from individual pieces and thematic groupings, resulting in an extraordinary, unified installation to be experienced in the round. Created in close collaboration with the artist and with many detail images, this book provides a deep dive into Kusaka’s incredible work one light year. Published after Kusaka’s hugely successful exhibition at David Zwirner, New York, in 2022, this catalogue studies her singular installation from all angles. A text by Kusaka illuminates her working process and provides unique insight into this particular work.

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Book SynopsisNina Malterud is one of Norway’s most prominent ceramics artists. Over the course of her five-decade-long career, she has developed a unique artistic oeuvre with references to traditional ceramic objects like plates, bowls, and tiles, but the emphasis is more on expression than on function. She explores the possibilities of clay and glazes in a free and undogmatic way, and is open to the visual results that can arise through controlled coincidences. The traces of the process are an essential part of her visual language. Sometimes the motifs are recognizable, but for the most part, she works with abstraction. The pieces radiate both tenderness and fragility, strength, and power. Combined with the materiality and weight of ceramics, the results are artworks with a strong sensory appeal.

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Book SynopsisThe gripping story of the lure of porcelain, or ''white gold'', from the Number One bestselling author of The Hare with Amber Eyes.** A Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller ** Other things in the world are white but for me porcelain comes first A handful of clay from a Chinese hillside carries a promise: that mixed with the right materials, it might survive the fire of the kiln, and fuse into porcelain - translucent, luminous, white. Acclaimed writer and potter Edmund de Waal sets out on a quest - a journey that begins in the dusty city of Jingdezhen in China and travels on to Venice, Versailles, Dublin, Dresden, the Appalachian Mountains of South Carolina and the hills of Cornwall to tell the history of porcelain. Along the way, he meets the witnesses to its creation; those who were inspired, made rich or heartsick by it, and the many whose livelihoods, minds and bodies were broken by this obsession. It spans a thousand Trade ReviewSweeping in scope ... intimate in detail ... The White Road is a mesmirising and finely wrought work. It is also a cautionary tale about the price of beauty pursued at any cost. -- Ekow Eshun * Independent on Sunday *I loved almost every word of de Waal's book. ... De Waal is intimate with the very stuff that he has tranformed so beautifully into pots; intimate with its history; intimate with the characters who make up its story. And yes, by the end, if this sort of elbow-grabbing book works for you - which it did triumphantly for me - he in intimate with his readers too -- A. N. Wilson * Financial Times *Graceful and insightful… this book is certainly the finest account of the many meanings of porcelain to the modern world that I have read -- Tristram Hunt * The Times *This book is a history of the making of porcelain – its discovery and rediscovery – from ancient China to Dachau. ... Mixed in with this history is a kind of autobiographical account of de Waal's own work. He says he thinks with his hands, and he is amazingly skilled at telling us what is happening as he feels the clay, turns the wheel, unloads the kiln. -- A. S. Byatt * The Spectator *This is the most personal sort of book one can read: an account of a love affair. ... You learn everything you could possibly need to know about porcelain. ... You don't want to stop reading, because de Waal, with his sharp curator's eye, has excellent judgment when it comes to showing readers things that they will find fascinating, funny or moving. * Daily Express *De Waal writes beautifully, wears his learning lightly and charmingly and makes sure anyone and everyone will care deeply about the white stuff too. -- Robert Bound * Monocle *Edmund de Waal's The Hare with Amber Eyes, the story of a collection of netsuke owned by his relatives, was a surprise bestseller. ... This account of china clay should claim an even greater readership. It deserves to. It is an even better book. I already have it marked down as my book of the year. * The Tablet *Edmund de Waal's poetic book is like a porcelain cup richly and delicately painted with the story of a mysterious substance and an alchemical art that have combined to enrich, enchant and sometimes ruin aficionados and artists alike. * Saga Magazine *This is a haunting book, a book that amasses itself piece by piece, gaining in weight. -- Olivia Laing * New Statesman *Edmund de Waal has a way of making you care about handmade ceramics in a way no other writer does -- Ysenda Maxtone Graham * Country Life *engaging and erudite * Economist *engaging and erudite * Economist *A single porcelain pot is sufficiently beautiful to behold, as is this dramatic, gloriously theatrical and irresistibly passionate pilgrimage into a dark hall of mirrors -- Eileen Battersby * Irish Times *a lyrical yet admirably unflinching tale -- Moira Jeffrey * Scotsman *a fascinating voyage -- Alex Sarll * UK Press Syndication *

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Book SynopsisBernard Leach (1887-1979) was as renowned in Japan and the East as in Europe and America, both as an artist-craftsman and as a thinker. His interpretation of the traditions of the Orient in the making of pots - and in evolving a philosophy of life - was a lodestar for many potters in the West. Beyond East and West, first published in 1978, is more than an autobiography. Full of sharply- etched and amusing recollections, it contains much of Leach’s deeper thought and a great deal too about the practical application of his ideas. Its recurrent theme is the meeting of East and West at all levels - artistic, cultural, social, political.

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Book SynopsisA tiny book that showcases some of the world's tiniest ceramics. Often no taller than a few centimetres, miniature ceramics are much smaller than the hands that craft them. Perfectly formed, these minuscule pottery pieces can only hold a small sprig of tiny flowers at most, but they contain all the talent of larger works. Clayful showcases 32 international ceramicists whose miniature vessels invite you to lean in and marvel. With precise craftsmanship, these artists transform clay into joyful interpretations of classic forms and techniques, shrunk down to fit in the palm of your hand.

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