New Arrivals

Looking for something shiny and new to add to your library? New books and films arrive here on a regular basis! These are the latest arrivals of books, videos, and tools. The newest arrivals are listed first.

New Books:

The Potter's Studio Clay & Glaze Handbook: An Essential Guide to Choosing, Working, and Designing with Clay and Glaze in the Ceramic Studio-ZAMEK, p25.00
The title says it all on this one. Filled with small tips that you hadn't thought of and facts you never knew. This is an informative book hitting on all aspects of potting from studio layout to making sales with major focus on the clay itself; types, options, mining process, reclaiming, identifying faults, etc. This book will make you reconsider why exactly you do what you do once in the studio. Many color photos.

More Glazes I Use: Glazes, Clays and Ideas- COLEMAN, p40.00
Filled with cone 8-11 reduction type recipes in a spiral bound format for ease in the studio. Glazes are separated by type. The book also includes some clay body recipes as well as some recipes for pigments for brushwork.

World Contemporary Public Ceramic Art- YUSHAN, p95.00, no discount
This book is a special import item. This book is stuffed with full color photos or artists and their works across the world in public spaces. Most of the text is in Chinese, however there are forwards by Wayne Higby and Nancy Selvage in English. Artists' names and countries are printed in English as well. Don't let a language barrier stop you from admiring these hundreds of wonderful pieces.

Slab-built Ceramics- MINOGUE, p35.00
This book is separated into two sections, sculptural work and vessels. Each section is then separated out by individual artists. Their work and methods are discussed to give a better overall understanding of the possibilities of this style of work.

Raku Firing: Advanced Techniques- TURNER, p30.00
One more title in the fantastic Ceramic Arts Handbook Series. This time around we're checking out an inlaid glass technique with the Potter Shop's own Steve Branfman, building alternative kilns, glaze recipes, flashing pots with torches, and reduction stenciling. Once again, many new ideas to get your own flowing.

Ceramic Art: Innovative Techniques- TURNER, p30.00
Another title in the Ceramic Arts Handbook Series, again giving many new and fresh ideas to the reader. Silk screening, soluble metal salts, burnishing a layer of graphite, throwing square casserole dishes, or burning out organic material may just be your newest creation after reading this book.

Ceramic Sculpture: Inspiring Techniques- TURNER, p30.00
The Ceramic Arts Handbook Series has consistently shown areas less explored in our craft and this title is no exception. Learn more about slip casting, life size sculpting, soft slab figure construction, building the kiln around your unmovable wares, and lots more.

Crossing Boundaries: The Ceramic Sculpture of Mineo Mizuno, LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF ART, 30.00
This book is presented wonderfully. The pages are thick and heavy, the photos are incredibly vivid, and the jacket over the cloth-bound book is interesting as well. The Japanese Mizuno studied art here in the states beginning when he was 22. His work is colorful, lively, and thoughtful though is has a clean, simple look to it. A very lovely book for any fan of his work.

Dark Jewels: Chinese Black and Brown Ceramics from the Shatzman Collection- ACKLAND ART MUSEUM, p25.00
This book is filled with color photos of pots that are simply stunning. This collection of over seventy pieces given to the Ackland Art Museum at University of North Carolina. Hare's fur and oil spot glazes are just a few of the wonderful and rich types of glazes filling these pages. A must have for any lover of Asian ceramics.

Dechter Collection of Greek Vases- HAMMA, p15.00
A book to study from more than to admire. Classic shapes of pots are identified and discussed. Individual pieces are observed as well, studying the imagery and it's historical relevance and reasoning. Mostly black and white, but a few color photos inside as well.

Gifts of the Great River: Arkansas Effigy Pottery from the Edwin Curtis Collection-HOUSE p25.00
In 1879 and 1880 Edwin Curtis searched for items for Harvard's Peabody Museum in the St. Francis River area of Arkansas. Not only did he find thousands of pots, but he had also taken wonderful notes about their excavation, far beyond what was considered standard in those days. All of this wonderful research and effort is here, presented and organized by author John House.

Complete Ceramics: Easy Techniques and over 20 Great Projects- COLLINS & BROWN 25.00
This book may be concise, but it has many interesting projects presented in full page color photos. Small unique projects listed can really spark your interest like, say, a raku banana, a soap dish, or an abstract handbuilt piece. Good for potters of all skill levels.

Confrontational Ceramics- SCHWARTZ 55.00
This book features work from 228 artists, including Arneson, Notkin, and Kottler. Hitting subjects like sex, war, the death penalty, marriage, religion, and anything else you might want to stay away from in the company of strangers, this book begs to be analyzed by the reader. A fantastic collection of works and the ideas that influenced them. Truly stunning, this could keep you mesmerized for days.

Eden Revisited: The Ceramic Art of Kurt Weiser- HELD 35.00
The first book to focus on Weiser and his work. His pots with dream-like worlds are presented in full color images throughout the book. Some earlier works are also represented, showing his shift towards China painting. A wonderful book for anyone that is a fan of his work.

I-Hsing Teapot Painting by 10 Shanghai Masters-Wai-hung p25.00
This album brings together Shen Zhi-yi's collection of 71 I-Hsing teapots featuring paintings by ten Shanghai masters of the 1980s. Shen's efforts have brought new life to the art of teapot painting after a long period of silence. These teapots are indeed outstanding art pieces, and collaborative works of painters, potters, carvers, and rubbing makers. The ten Shanghai masters are: Zhu Qizhan, Wang Geyi, Guan Liang, Zhang Dazhuang, Lu Yanshao, Tang Yun, Xie Zhiliu, Cheng Shifa, Chen Peiqiu, Liu Danzhai.

Alabama Folk Pottery- BRACKNER 70.00
An impressive book both in size and content. Although most of the many photos are in black and white, there are a handful of color photos also. The twenty-plus years of research are evident as Brackner discusses the history of potters and pottery in this state.


DVDs and Videos:


Passion for Pots: Phil Rogers, Potter- GOLDMARK 45.00 DVD
This two disc set follows Phil Rogers on trips to Japan and the USA and shows him making and firing pots in his native Wales. Over two hours of additional material show him throwing, glazing, firing, and opening his kiln and also includes film of his visit to the Hamada Museum in Mashiko. Total time is 222 minutes. **This video seems unable to play on all DVD players, but the rhyme or reason is unclear. If purchased and it will not play on yours, the item may be returned.

Don't Know, We'll See: The Work of Karen Karnes- PHENIX, DVD only, 30.00
This is a very intimate look at Karen Karnes in her studio. While working on one of her sculptural forms she discusses places, people and times that have influenced and shaped her. The biography also covers the kiln fire that destroyed her home and studio, showing Karen open up the kiln that started the blaze, only to find a kiln of wonderful pots in the middle of a heap of charred remains. This video will speak to any potter. 62 minutes.

Collaboration: The Ceramic Art of Frank Boyden and Tom Coleman 30.00 DVD only
Produced by AMOCA, this video studies the 30+ year working relationship of these two significant potters. There is commentary from children of both men, as well as many others who have had close and personal insights to this process. The men discuss the risks they take and the rewards they reap while showing a strong mutual respect, making it clear none of it would be possible without the talents of the other. A wonderful compliment to the book of their collaboration, On the River through the Valley of Fire: The Collaborative Ceramics of Frank Boyden and Tom Coleman. 60 minutes long.


Tools:

We are now carrying two lines of premium quality potters trim tools. Take a look.

DOLAN TOOLS ARE BACK!!!
After a very long haitus, the Dolan's are once again crafting their handmade, one of a kind, top of the world, potters tools. Please see our tool section for the complete line up.

GROOVY TOOLS
A new line of premium quality trim tools. They feature a true tool steel loop that is hardened, tempered, and then cryogenically treated to create a super steel blade. The blade is 1/4" wide and sharp on both edges. Acetate handles have closed cell foam grips for added comfort. The overall length of each tool is approximately 6-1/2". The tools can be re-sharped for extra long life. We have been using these tool in the studio here and they are wonderful. Please see our tool section for the complete line up.