“Clear, concise, and beautifully illustrated, The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing is a terrific primer. Within its pages, Julia outlines the tools, techniques, and terminology you'll need to make excellent pots on the wheel. The sections on trimming, handles, and decoration are top notch and will help you create pots that truly sing.”—Gabriel Kline, author of the Amazing Glaze series of books; director of Odyssey Clayworks
“Julia Claire Weber’s book is a fun, one-on-one course on the fundamentals of wheel throwing complete with clear how-to photos and inspiring images of finished work by contemporary artists. Reading it feels like being in a studio with her while she shares tips and techniques for forming, decorating, and firing mugs, bowls, plates, and related forms. Her concise, engaging approach includes encouragement and humor at just the right times to remind those who are new to working with clay that both successes and failures are essential to learning to throw on the wheel.”—Jessica Knapp, editor, Ceramics Monthly, associate editor, Pottery Making Illustrated
“Engaging from start to finish, Julia’s personality comes through in both the gorgeous illustrations and playful instructions. This book not only addresses the essentials but also includes information to help you express yourself creatively.”—Jason Stockman, Assistant Professor, State College of Florida
“The Beginner’s Guide to Wheel Throwing is orderly and easy to understand. Sections on slip decoration, glazing, and firing will undoubtedly prove to be a valuable reference for the novice ceramicist.”—Lee Rexrode, Professor Emeritus, Edinboro University
“An excellent guide for those aspiring to take up pottery making. ... Weber has successfully created a how-to book for pottery making that will leave readers with the general knowledge needed to work with clay. While nothing can replace hands-on instruction, this book comes close. Libraries, teaching studios, and aspiring potters should all have this book on hand.”—Library Journal Starred Review
“An ideal DIY instructional guide and manual for aspiring pottery makers.”—Midwest Book Review
"Clearly presented color photos and concise instructions make The Beginner's Guide to Wheel Throwing the perfect introduction for students interested in the potter's wheel. Artist and instructor Julia Claire Weber's friendly, encouraging voice guides readers through fun, yet impressive, projects such as bowls, mugs and plates...will inspire readers as they progress on their creative journeys."—Shelf Awareness
★ 08/01/2021
Weber, a full-time time studio potter, has created an excellent guide for those aspiring to take up pottery making. Weber presents, in a very concise and organized manner, the knowledge needed to work with clay successfully. There's information about clay's composition, how to create different forms on a wheel, and how to fire pottery in the kiln. From beginning to end, the book is peppered with step-by-step photographic illustrations accompanied by clear text. Weber demonstrates how to center the clay, how to begin a pot, and the techniques to form various pottery shapes such as cylinders and bowls. Once the budding potter has completed some projects successfully, the book explains and demonstrates the finishing processes: drying the pot, loading and firing a kiln, glazing, and firing again at a higher final temperature. For inspiration, there are many illustrations of works by a range of ceramists. Weber has successfully created a how-to book for pottery making that will leave readers with the general knowledge needed to work with clay. While nothing can replace hands-on instruction, this book comes close. VERDICT Libraries, teaching studios, and aspiring potters should all have this book on hand.—Sandra Knowles, formerly at South Carolina State Lib., Columbia
