Practical Pottery: 40 Pottery Projects for Creating and Selling Mugs, Cups, Plates, Bowls, and More (Arts and Crafts, Hobbies, Ceramics, Sculpting Technique)

Jon the Potter is a very dynamic YouTube pottery star. His videos are informing and fun, and I enjoy his work. However, this book is a standard self publishing project where the content is a bit thin and it is clear the author is not a writer. There are some basics that will be helpful to beginners, however the book is low on content and falls short of pottery greats like Simon Leach and John Britt. Sadly, Jon failed to include the glaze combinations he is well known for, and he could have dived into more detailed business information. Editors with Mango Publishing could have done better coaching and should have pushed for a more comprehensive book from such a great personality.

I hate to say it but I'm a bit disappointed and let down with Jon the Potters first book on pottery. I was expecting some deep dive insight and instruction into making pottery. I was especially hoping that he would share the glaze technique that he uses on his pottery, but sadly that is missing from this book.Personally when I buy a book on pottery glazing instruction is a huge part of why I choose to buy the book. Then it turns out he was offering a class on Glazing that you had to pay an additional $35 + dollars to take part in!!! Seriously? Out of control greed. If you're going to cover pottery you need to cover the entire process. Unless your focusing on a specific aspect of pottery.The business section was very weak and lacking any real depth and guidance. Another reason why I purchased the book.Overall if you've been watching his videos then you don't need to buy this book. With that said your more likely to get better instruction and insight from those videos than you will from this book.I give Jon credit for trying but honestly I think he's riding more and more on his name than he is on his skills as a creative and imaginative potter. But what he lacks in skill he makes up for his enthusiasm. You get what you paid for.

Great for beginners .. intermediates mmm not so much..I was really excited to get this book as I really like watching Jon on you tube but when I got it.. I was disappointed.It had a few things that I grabbed and really liked but when I wanted to dive deeper into what and how and a little more technique it left me wanting.It has just your basics on how to make a few simple shapes and touches on general ideas. But it doesn’t give you a whole lot of “meat”I honestly would have just saved my money and watched some you tube videos of Jon’s and others.

I purchased this book for 2 reasons, 1 I am very new to pottery and this gave me some very helpful tips and tricks, and 2 I know the author! I own a couple of his pieces, and the book was a necessary addition.

I've been working with clay for decades and love Jon's videos. He is so enthusiastic on them. I really want to love this book as much, but something is missing here. I'm more interested in his glaze combos and no information is included. I was under the impression that it was for all stages of potters, not just beginners. Plus the page quality I found lacking and color quality is off. I hope he writes another book down the line that has more depth and quality because his videos are so inspiring.

While clearly it would it take quite a bit of practice to the skill level of the author’s, Jon explains how success in pottery is attainable.

I enjoy watching Jon the Potter on his You Tube videos, and have learned alot of helpful tips for throwing pots, glazing etc... This book has alot of useful information on all of those things. I highly recommend it!

He has videos that show you the same things as this book. They are free on youtube. I was disappointed his book didn’t have more information. It is super simple.

I am new to pottery and this book gives me great ideas of how to move forward. It covers the entire process and how to sell your pottery, if interested.

Good Primer for new potter with good reminders and inspiration for more experienced people as well. Jon brings the sane enthusiasm to the printed page that he has on his YouTube channel.

This is a really solid, basic book for beginning potters. The step-by-step instructions and photos are really helpful, and have just enough information that it’s easy to retain for when you get into the studio. This wouldn’t be the right book for advanced potters (Jon does mention that this is a book for beginners), but I could see people at an intermediate level also finding it useful. Very good purchase!

Well written, easy to understand, comfortable to hold and includes answers to all of the questions I have as someone who loves pottery and really knows so little (next to nothing) He doesn't intimidate, instead - actually inspires everyone to get involved if you love making things with clay! I thoroughly appreciate and love this book and will always keep it on hand for reference. Thank you so much for putting it together JTP!

Jon the Potter is a talented potter, and he did a wonderful job for beginner potters to learn pottery from this book. I highly recommend.

After watching the author on You tube I noticed he had a book out. This is a great book. Lots of pictures and steps are easy to follow. This is a good book for beginner potters.

I’m an art teacher, and I love showing videos from John’s YouTube when we do pottery. I saw the book and had to get it. Book already inspired one of my students to make the chip and dip bowl! Fantastic breakdown of tools, basic wheel techniques, and the different projects and how-to’s, especially with the step by step pics!

I expected to get something from this book since I have only been doing pottery for a year. It said it was for beginner to experienced potters. I found it to be just fundamental pottery work for beginners. It was a very quick read since there are many pages of pictures. Not worth the money except for a real beginner.