Creative Pottery: Innovative Techniques and Experimental Designs in Thrown and Handbuilt Ceramics

Take your work to the next level! In Creative Pottery, ceramic artist Deb Schwartzkopf offers the tips, techniques, and inspiration you need to grow as a functional potter.

Whether your background is in wheel-throwing or handbuilding, start with a quick review of where you are in your own journey as a potter. If you need to brush up on the basics, help setting goals, or pointers on how to translate your inspiration into your work, you’ve come to the right place. The rest of the book is a self-guided journey in which you can choose the techniques and projects that interest you:

• Go beyond the basics and learn how to throw or handbuild a bottomless cylinder. Then explore seams and alterations for projects like an oval serving tray, altered cylinder vase, and dessert boat.
• Learn about small changes that make a big impact, making an asymmetrical slab plate, throwing plates, and creating a cake stand.
• Master bisque molds and use them to open a new world of possibilities. Make spoons, a goblet, a butter dish, and more.
• Add complexity for stunning forms, including a pitcher, juicer, teapot, and oil pourer.

With compelling galleries, artist features, and guided questions for growth throughout, this book will not only teach you new skills—it will unlock your creativity.

Deb Schwartzkopf is a studio potter, instructor, and active community member of Seattle, Washington. She has taught at Ohio University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, University of Washington, and University of Georgia’s study abroad program in Cortona. She was named Ceramics Monthly and Ceramic Arts Daily's 2019 Artist of the Year, one of the most visible awards in the field. Deb has worked as an artist in residence nationally and internationally at the Archie Bray Foundation (MT), Mudflat Studios (MA), The Clay Studio (PA), Pottery Northwest (WA), Watershed (ME), Sanbao in Jingdezhen, China, and the Residency for Ceramics in Berlin, Germany. Since 2002, Deb has also taught widely at top ceramics centers including Penland School of Craft, Gaya Ceramics Center (Indonesia), and IARE (France). Her artwork is included in collections such as the Kamm Teapot Foundation, San Angelo Museum, and the WA State Arts Collection, among others. She has been included in numerous publications including Ceramic Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Studio Potter Magazine; has contributed to Red Clay Rambler Podcasts; is an active founding member of Objective Clay; has served as the Director of the Washington Clay Arts Association; and is currently a board member at Pottery Northwest. In 2013, Deb founded and launched what is now Rat City Studios, a community pottery studio where she offers adult classes, studio memberships, and opportunities for emerging artists: ratcitystudios.com.