This is your pottery manual. Handbuilding

The mission of this manual is to give beginner pottery students a foundation for understanding the process of clay; a nuts-and-bolts workbook on the essentials of ceramics. Students will learn a variety of building techniques and will be competent potters by the end of the book. The following projects are meant to be easily built in one or two sessions and act as a gauge of the craftsmanship of the student. Nothing else. The purpose of this perspective is not to squash creativity. On the contrary, there will be ample time after the completion of this book for students to build open-ended projects of personal interest. Ceramics is a Craft first, then an Art. Art is subjective, so we’ll get through the Craft in this book and leave the Art for once we’re familiar with the basics.

Now, let’s get our hands dirty and make some pots. 

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The pottery manual in your pocket. This mobile edition is intended to be viewed on your phone. Want to get notified about updates or print editions? Email me at thisisyourpotterymanual@gmail.com.

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Avid thrifter, flannel enthusiast, and associate problem finder, Andrew Snyder is a Towson University MFA graduate, WCU Community Clay Founder, and Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award recipient. You can usually find Professor Snyder mixing clay in the ceramics studio or trying to fix something that should be replaced.