{"product_id":"pottery-for-beginners-mara-e-ashford-9798243263030","title":"Pottery for Beginners: A Practical Guide to Handbuilding and Wheel Throwing Techniques, Glazing and Firing Basics, Plus 20 Step-by-Step Projects for B","description":"\u003cb\u003ePOTTERY FOR BEGINNERS\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eMake pottery you are genuinely proud to use.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIf you have ever looked at a finished bowl or mug and thought, \"I want to make that,\" this book is your starting line. \u003cb\u003ePottery for Beginners\u003c\/b\u003e gives you a clear, practical path from your first lump of clay to finished pieces that feel balanced, functional, and beautiful, without overwhelming you with studio jargon or encyclopaedia-level detail. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis is a \u003cb\u003ehands-on, step-by-step guide\u003c\/b\u003e to the skills beginners struggle with most, including getting consistent results on the wheel, building strong forms by hand, preventing cracks and warping, and finishing work with glazes that you can trust. You will learn the fundamentals first, then apply them immediately through \u003cb\u003e20 guided projects\u003c\/b\u003e that build your confidence fast. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside this practical pottery guide, you will learn how to: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e- Choose clay, tools, and a simple setup for a home workspace or community studio\u003cbr\u003e- Master essential \u003cb\u003ehandbuilding\u003c\/b\u003e skills, including pinch, coil, and slab construction\u003cbr\u003e- Throw clean, stable forms with \u003cb\u003epottery wheel\u003c\/b\u003e fundamentals that actually stick\u003cbr\u003e- Trim for strength and balance, and create foot rings that sit flat and feel finished\u003cbr\u003e- Attach handles and spouts with confident joins that resist cracking\u003cbr\u003e- Understand \u003cb\u003eglazing\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003efiring\u003c\/b\u003e basics, so your finished work is durable and functional\u003cbr\u003e- Prevent common failures with a clear \u003cb\u003etroubleshooting\u003c\/b\u003e system you can use every session \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e20 step-by-step projects you can be proud of\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eYou will make a wide range of functional ceramics, including bowls, mugs, vases, and planters. Projects include beginner-friendly handbuilding pieces and confidence-building wheel forms, such as: \u003cbr\u003e- Pinch bowl trio and slab trinket dishes\u003cbr\u003e- Coil planter with drainage and a statement planter with tray\u003cbr\u003e- Wheel cylinder practice, then cups and mugs with pulled handles\u003cbr\u003e- Stackable bowls, a pouring pitcher, and a lidded jar with a simple lid seat\u003cbr\u003e- A small vase, a taller bottle vase, and modern finishing techniques like carving and faceting \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat makes this book different\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMany beginners can make a form once, but struggle to repeat it, finish it, or keep it from cracking. This guide focuses on the details that create consistent results: \u003cb\u003etiming, thickness, compression, drying strategy, and simple checklists\u003c\/b\u003e. You also get a dedicated results section covering \u003cb\u003edrying and warping prevention\u003c\/b\u003e plus a practical troubleshooting guide for the most common problems, from S-cracks and warped slabs to weak joins and glaze issues. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis book is for you if you want: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- A friendly, clear introduction to \u003cb\u003epottery and ceramics\u003c\/b\u003e that stays practical\u003cbr\u003e- Real techniques explained step by step, without guesswork\u003cbr\u003e- Projects that teach skills in the right order, so each piece builds on the last\u003cbr\u003e- A troubleshooting approach that helps you fix problems instead of starting over \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhether you are working at a community studio, taking your first class, or setting up a small practice space at home, \u003cb\u003ePottery for Beginners\u003c\/b\u003e will help you build skill quickly and make pieces you will actually use and love. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eStart with clay. Finish with confidence.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Mara E. Ashford\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798243263030\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 01\/09\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 214\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.12lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.45d","brand":"Mara E. Ashford","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48447242371327,"sku":"9798243263030","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_f0129b5d-e590-41ca-84d7-aa854d527f6a.jpg?v=1777229798","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/pottery-for-beginners-mara-e-ashford-9798243263030","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}