Practical pottery A complete guide to getting started in making beautiful & functional bowls, plates, vases, & more on the wheel

"Everyone can learn how to throw" using a pottery wheel, assert graphic designer Borgbjerg and ceramicist Liebe in their helpful debut guide. Evaluating the pros and cons of various clays, the authors note that stoneware holds its shape well but has a rough texture, while porcelain is softer but more prone to collapse. The projects show how to make a bowl, cup, pitcher, plate, and vase by kneading clay, placing it on a pottery wheel, and using one's index finger to make a central indent that's gradually expanded to form the piece's interior. The authors detail how to attach handles by applying slip ("dry clay mixed with water so that it becomes... sticky") or create trimmed bases by scraping out recesses in the undersides of plates and bowls. Exploring the finishing process, the authors recommend firing pieces in a kiln, applying glaze, and then firing them again, which makes the pieces watertight. Some of the written instructions are a bit confusing, but the copious accompanying photos will help readers piece together what they need to know. This solid introduction will benefit novice ceramicists. (May)