Carve Your Clay

I started doing pottery in 2012, I mainly use the wheel, but I attended also some hand-building classes and I was happy to receive and advanced copy of Carve your clay.
I love carving and I was hoping to find new ideas and new techniques in this book. Let me say, this preview isn't the complete book, so I don't know if there are more complicated projects and the ones I could see were not really challenging and there was only one that I never tried. I don’t know if I am going to buy the book because I think it can give a first idea of carving decoration but for an experienced carver there isn’t much to learn or take inspiration from it.
For a new potter though it can be a good book because it explains quite a few projects with a lot of photos and step by step instructions.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

(For some reason when I download this book it starts at page 28 and finishes abruptly on page 129 - tried on multiple devices)

I know absolutely nothing about pottery but have always wanted to learn. This book is informative and the instructions given seem easy to follow. The only thing I will say is, from what I got to see, a lot of the designs seem pretty much the same. Again, I know nothing of pottery so maybe these techniques and designs are the most popular within the craft world. But I would have loved to have seen some more colour and distinction between some of them.

I have been a potter for over 40yrs and this book is the best I have come across on the topic of decoration and with the simplicity of information and educating. There are step by step photos and a real understanding of the craft and design. This is truly a must for potters.

I always jump at the chance to review a book on pottery - my guilty pleasure - so “Carve Your Clay” was welcomed with open arms. I agree with the previous reviewer that the cover image does not do the book justice: it is far better than that. But then there are images missing within, so that point might well be remedied prior to publication. The book is well structured into chapters dealing with straight carving, inlays, agate and devil’s work to name but a few. The bonus of it is that there are instructions as to the MAKING of every item as well as the mere decorative aspect of the carving. I have done a course on inlaying, but this book proved to be more knowledgeable and I managed to take several tricks-of-the-trade away with me. Illustrations are detailed and to the point. Highly recommended!

A great book for ceramic artists. Beautiful photos and concise text describe step-by-step technique to master your craft. With fantastic projects to learn from, the author teaches valuable techniques such as hand building, forming, pinching, coiling and slip-casting in details. Learn how to texture, paint and carve unique patterns on your vessels to take them to the next level.  A must-have reference book for any ceramic studio. 

As for the cover, it could use a stronger image, it just doesn't show the true value of the content of the book.

I received an Advanced Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was really excellent, and provided a whole heap of really great tips. The pictures in particular were helpful in terms of breaking down the process and showing exactly how to achieve the end result you wanted, and the accompanying information was clearly laid out and easy to follow. I'll definitely be trying out a lot of these techniques soon!

Thank you #NetGalley for the review copy of #CarveYourClay

This book provides step-by-step instructions that include detailed photos, and each project also has a brief introduction explaining the advantages and/or disadvantages of the methods, skills learned and practiced, or ideas for variations. The projects are all practical and usable objects such as dishes, candlesticks, jars, etc. which I personally think makes everything a little more motivating because you know you'll get some use out of whatever you make!