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.

Emily Proctor studied 3D design at art school in Bournemouth before working as a stylist and buyer for 10 years. Her work is almost exclusively made using ancient hand build methods in an attempt to reconnect with the past. The forms are designed to be simple and primitive allowing the texture and color of the clays and glazes to speak for themselves. Emily’s work has been featured in Esquire, Time Out London and Stylist. Instagram: @epc.studio www.epc.land