The Urban Potter: A modern guide to the ancient art of hand-building bowls, plates, pots and more

An illustrated step-by-step guide to making 20 unique handcrafted ceramics with simple, natural shapes and neutral tones without a kiln.

With more and more people turning towards a slower way of life, away from endless screen time, creative pursuits like hand-building pottery are having their own boom. The Urban Potter is for those interested in expressing themselves through the ancient, tactile art of hand-building ceramics, while also being a guide to creating unique pieces.

Emily’s naturally wheel-free, unique style favors simple yet interesting imperfect shapes. Her focus is on reconnecting with hand-building techniques of the past, resulting in gorgeously rustic, one-off pieces that explicitly and deliberately reject the myth of perfection. Step-by-step projects include kitchenware, decorative accessories and more (soap holders, multi-functional jars). All the techniques involved, from moulding to glazing, are fully explained. By the end of the book you will have learned how to create 20 beautifully one-off handcrafted pieces, while leaning into the joys of slow ceramics and the mindful, relaxing, patient nature of the art.