Ceramics Books - Page 5

Mosaic Magic

Angie Batt

Amazon Price: $15.63 List Price: $22.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: David & Charles Amazon Marketplace: 47 new & used starting at $3.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> History & Criticism -> General AAS
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Instructional & How-To -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics

Editorial Review:

Mosaic Magic offers 15 stylish and practical mosaic projects for the home and garden along with project variations, additional ideas and a comprehensive section on materials and techniques. Whether the reader is a beginner or looking to improve their current skills, this book explores the craft of mosaics, using historic mosaic ideas and inspiration as the basis for chic, contemporary designs. Clear step-by-step instructions make the projects achievable for everyone regardless of skill level or available crafting time.

Glazes from Natural Sources

Brian Sutherland

Amazon Price: $19.77 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: University of Pennsylvania Press Amazon Marketplace: 27 new & used starting at $18.78

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> History & Criticism -> General AAS
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Instructional & How-To -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Any real education in ceramics must involve, from the outset, an appreciation of the source materials--the rocks around us. While good, throwable clay may be a regional commodity, there is no part of the world that will not yield potential glaze materials in abundance. Potters therefore need to know how to exploit the special properties of local rocks quickly, reliably, and methodically. This new revised and updated version of Brian Sutherland's classic book on making glazes from natural sources explains how to locate glaze material and construct, test, and use the glazes created.

Glazes from Natural Sources discusses rock types and other likely sources of supply, the making of test pieces, and the use of blend systems and constructions. The author also clarifies the Seger system of glaze presentation for those who, like himself, have found it difficult to grasp and apply. He covers, and supplies, formulae for glazes for all temperatures--from raku to stoneware and porcelain--and includes sample recipes. The book emphasizes careful planning and control to ensure results that are repeatable. This makes the science behind making glazes from natural sources both understandable and feasible.

Glazes from Natural Sources is fully illustrated, with diagrams of techniques demonstrated as well as images of the finished works of potters to show the results of these natural glazes. First published in 1987, this book is considered a classic by ceramicists. This edition includes a new chapter by glaze expert Nigel Wood.

The Old House Journal Compendium

List Price: $37.95 By: Overlook Hardcover Amazon Marketplace: 36 new & used starting at $1.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Home Design -> Buildings & Construction
Subjects -> Professional & Technical -> Engineering -> Civil -> Construction -> Building Construction

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

When Clem Labine and his family abandoned Manhattan for an old brownstone in Brooklyn, Labine decided to launch a newsletter about the restoration and maintenance of antique houses. From these humble beginnings, The Old-House Journal grew until it had many thousands of subscribers in all fifty states.

Since its first publication in 1980, The Old-House Journal Compendium has been the go-to guide for anyone looking to buy, restore, or maintain an old house. This new edition combines the solid, detailed advice that made The Old House Journal newsletter famous, now in a modern, easy-to-use format. Fully redesigned with more than 800 black-and-white illustrations, this famous how-to reference provides sound and encouraging instructions for all at-home renovators. Accessibly organized into chapters that correspond to the parts of a house, The Old-House Journal Compendium covers roofs, windows, wiring, plumbing, plastering, staircases, floors, painting, chimneys, fireplaces, stoves, moldings, woodwork, shutters, kitchens, bathrooms, as well as period design and decoration, and even landscaping--truly everything the new owner of an old home could need.

Polymer Clay Surface Design Recipes: 100 Mixed-Media Techniques Plus Project Ideas

Ellen Marshall

Amazon Price: $14.95 List Price: $21.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Quarry Books Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $9.93

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> History & Criticism -> General AAS
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Instructional & How-To -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great information! 5 out of 5 stars.
32 of 35 people found this review helpful.

This book needed writing! Thank you, Ellen for sharing years of experimentation and innovation. as you created your art. The specific information contained within its covers could well save an artist much time and money.

Great information and a must have resource on surface treatments and polymer clay.

Donna Kato, author of The Art of Polymer Clay

Editorial Review:

Regardless of your level of experience with polymer clay, the techniques and recipes for creating for combining clay with other media will inspire you to create unique surface designs. In addition to covering basic polymer clay techniques, tools, and materials, this book teaches you to use unique surface embellishments in your work.

Styled as a recipe, each illustrated surface design is shown with complete instructions for replicating the design and is accompanied by three variations. Informative explanations of specific inks, paints, and powders are included, along with a section dedicated to showing complex design combinations. This book covers a range of topical application processes that include stamping, painting, and writing on clay along with step-by-step project ideas that put these techniques to use. A gallery of polymer clay art is included for further inspiration.

1500 Decorative Ornaments CD-ROM and Book (Dover Electronic Series)

Dover

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Dover Publications Amazon Marketplace: 28 new & used starting at $6.50

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Design & Decorative Arts -> Graphic Design -> Clip Art
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Check contents, not just title! 3 out of 5 stars.
21 of 21 people found this review helpful.

This is a terrific clip art book however, Dover has sold this exact same book under the title, "Printer's Ornaments and Dingbats." So if you already own that book, safe yourself the money and don't buy this duplicate under a different title. What a bummer!!!

An excellent design reference book 5 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

A wonderful and wide range of designs great for motifs and decorative design development. Don't miss it!

Good stuff, But . . . 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a good collection, I just wish the images came in vector format. They are all in photoshop Tiff format.

Editorial Review:

Hundreds of attractive copyright-free designs from all periods and styles—from Renaissance and Baroque to Art Deco and Geometric. The virtually inexhaustible supply of dynamic graphic devices includes elegantly rendered miniature flowers and leaves, everyday objects, holiday and abstract motifs, classical designs, and other decorative elements.

Creating Fantasy Polymer Clay Characters: Step-by-Step Trolls, Wizards, Dragons, Knights, Skeletons, Santa, and More!

Dinko Tilov

Amazon Price: $14.95 List Price: $21.99 Usually ships in 2 to 3 weeks By: Quarry Books Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $14.95

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> History & Criticism -> General AAS
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Instructional & How-To -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

One of the best art/craft technique books ever 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Superb from start to finish. If you have any interest in sculpting fantastic creatures in polymer clay this is the best place to start bar none-- and it will take you far. I've done most of the projects in the book and am now very comfortable creating my own critters from scratch. The photos are fantastic with just the right amount of detail (no shots taken from halfway across the room!), the text is very clear (and funny!), and the book is simply a lot of fun overall. Can't recommend it highly enough for anyone interested in the subject.

Great step by step explanation 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The characters in this book are somewhat goofy, however, the author provides excellent basics on armature building for creatures like horses and dragons. If you are looking for a lighter side to the fantasy world and would like to sculpt some fun creatures, this book is perfect. I think that kids will really love how achievable the sculptures in this book are for them.

A Polymer Clay Fantasy Figure Book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

A cute book for anyone who likes to dabble in the fantasy world of polyamer clay.

Another Birthday Gift 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Recently I gave my grandson this book for his birthday. Here are his comments "I'd say both rate around four stars out of five, or an 8 (scale of 1 - 10)"
Somewhat terse, but then what do you expect from a 15 year old boy? I had seen the book, lent to me by a friend, and when I heard that my grandson was interested in clay figures I thought this would be an ideal book as there were lots of weird characters that would appeal to someone of his age. Don't get me wrong, this is a book for adults mainly, not just for kids, but I thought he would be inspired by the creatures within.

A Potter's Workbook

Clary Illian

Amazon Price: $17.16 List Price: $26.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: University Of Iowa Press Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $15.00

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> History & Criticism -> General AAS
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Instructional & How-To -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In A Potter's Workbook, renowned studio potter and teacher Clary Illian presents a textbook for the hand and the mind. Her aim is to provide a way to see, to make, and to think about the forms of wheel-thrown vessels; her information and inspiration explain both the mechanics of throwing and finishing pots made simply on the wheel and the principles of truth and beauty arising from the traditional method.

Each chapter begins with a series of exercises that introduce the principles of good form and good forming for pitchers, bowls, cylinders, lids, handles, and every other conceivable functional shape. Focusing on utilitarian pottery created on the wheel, Illian explores sound, lively, and economically produced pottery forms that combine an invitation to mindful appreciation with ease of use. Charles Metzger's striking photographs, taken under ideal studio conditions, perfectly complement her vigorous text.

Clary Illian was an apprentice at the Leach Pottery in 1964 and 1965, where she helped produce a line of standard ware shapes; in this book she pays tribute to Bernard Leach as the creator of the modern studio pottery movement. A Potter's Workshop is designed to help students who are just learning to throw pots, potters who know how to throw but who feel the need for greater understanding, and skilled craftspeople who enjoy thinking about the objects they love.

Coloring Clay (Ceramics Handbooks)

Jo Connell

Amazon Price: $17.49 List Price: $26.50 Usually ships in 24 hours By: University of Pennsylvania Press Amazon Marketplace: 21 new & used starting at $16.55

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> Pottery & Ceramics
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Crafts & Hobbies -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

From sugar whites and pastel pinks to toasted browns and deep sea blues, the wide spectrum of colored clay offers an array of possibilities for creative ceramicists. By using the clay itself as the sole means of decoration, potters can achieve effects that range from subtle gradation to dramatic shifts, all integrated into the structure of their creation. Working with colored clay demands a special, disciplined approach, but the rewards are many.

Beginning with a brief introduction to historic forms such as encaustic tile, sprigging, and art pottery, Coloring Clay explains the principal techniques for working with colored clay. This detailed, practical handbook takes artists though the clay and stain selection process to forming and firing, outlining proven procedures that produce optimum results. Readers will learn to use coiling and handbuilding for marbled effects, make Wedgwood-style applied reliefs, incorporate swirls and subtle hues into wheel-thrown pieces with mixes and overlays, or apply inlays to slipcast works for modern geometric patterns. Jo Connell also covers loaf and cane forms such as agate, nerikomi, and millefiori, as well as textural effects.

With dozens of color photographs illustrating key steps and methods and beautiful presentations of great contemporary ceramic art, Coloring Clay is sure to educate and inspire.

Confrontational Ceramics

Judith S. Schwartz

Amazon Price: $34.65 List Price: $55.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: University of Pennsylvania Press Amazon Marketplace: 25 new & used starting at $27.50

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Those who associate ceramics with functional vessels or charming knick-knacks are in for a shock. Clay may start out soft, but in the right hands it can deliver a hard blow. From British Toby Jugs to Marcel Duchamp's Fountain to a wall of gruesome tiles that forms a portrait of President George W. Bush, ceramic art has the power to provoke and subvert.

Confrontational Ceramics surveys the work of contemporary sculptors, potters, and mixed media artists who have turned the ancient medium of clay into an articulate vehicle for political and social commentary. Educator and curator Judith S. Schwartz gathers the works of more than two hundred artists from thirty different countries into a glossy full-color overview of the radical ceramics scene. Provocative pieces from makers such as Grayson Perry, Robert Arneson, Richard Notkin, Howard Kottler, as well as newer talents, address personal, social, and geopolitical injustices from rape to racism. In their own words, these bold artists discuss the outrage behind their outrageous works. Schwartz provides historical context for current and late twentieth-century protest in the form of ceramics. She also places the artists within thematic groupings: war and politics, the social and human condition, gender issues, the environment, and popular and material culture.

Filled with subtle satire, garish jests, grotesque shock treatments, and moving testaments, Confrontational Ceramics is a radical departure from conventional coffee-table ceramics books on decorative housewares or formal abstractions. This art book will amuse, inspire, and possibly offend art historians, ceramics collectors, and anyone with an eye for the outlandish.

Naked Clay: Ceramics Without Glaze

Jane Perryman

Amazon Price: $32.97 List Price: $49.95 Usually ships in 3 to 5 weeks By: University of Pennsylvania Press Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $32.97

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> History & Criticism -> General AAS
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Instructional & How-To -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Other Media -> Ceramics

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A growing number of ceramic artists now choose not to glaze their work. Instead, they use an unglazed--naked--surface to express their ideas and concerns. From slips and terra sigillata to burnishing, engobes, oxide washes and additions to the clay body, there is a wide range of techniques these artists can employ to achieve the finishes they desire. As these techniques are suitable for a broad spectrum of processes, subject matter and context (from slipcasting to handbuilding, from high to low firing temperatures, from figurative to conceptual, from domestic to public), the scope of the work produced by these artists is enormous.

In Naked Clay Jane Perryman not only presents the finished ceramics and techniques of an international group of artists but she also investigates their ideas and areas of inspiration to further an understanding of their work. Each artist presented here has a unique style and way of working, but they are all connected through their committed relationship to the material and their desire to express their ideas using 'naked' clay.

This beautifully illustrated book will inform and inspire not only students, professionals, and teachers, it will fascinate collectors and, indeed, anyone with an interest in contemporary ceramics.