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Clay Times Book Review
8/24/09
Steven Branfman
The Potter’s Studio Clay & Glaze Handbook by Jeff Zamek, Quarry Publishers paperback $24.99
At first glance I was struck by the pleasant appearance of this book but at the same time a bit disappointed by the all too common components of its title. “Another book on clays and glazes” I thought. For joy. Then I noticed the name of the author and realized that this is likely not your common, average treatment of the same old stuff. In fact, I had been anticipating the arrival of the book having been consulted about it a few times during it’s writing. Disappointed? Not in the least!
Subtitled An Essential Guide to Choosing, Working, and Designing with Clay and Glaze in the Ceramic Studio, Jeff Zamek has complied a collection of topics that together for the first time in a single book offer a unique manual for the serious potter and student of clay. The author is the consummate professional; an accomplished potter, ceramic technical wizard, and experienced teacher with BFA/MFA degrees from Alfred University, another degree in business, and a writer with a long list of published articles. Oh, almost forgot. Zamek is the author or two previous books that have become standard references; What Every Potter Should Know, and Safety In The Ceramics Studio. But enough about past accomplishments.
The Potter’s Studio Clay & Glaze Handbook is a handsome book. The smooth heavy weight cover and thick glossy pages feel good in your hand, are easy on the eyes, and will last a long time in the messy environment of the pot shop. That’s a good thing because you will find yourself going back to it time after time. The book is organized into four sections: In Setting Up Shop, the author lays out some simple strategies for designing an efficient and well organized studio and working spaces. He talks about work flow, storage, work surfaces, shelving, ventilation, utilities, and more. There is even a short primer on potters tools to help you get started. In part two, The Nature Of Clay, Zamek offers one of the most complete and well rounded discussions of clay from both a technical and mineralogical perspective and a functional, practical one. He give us the necessary information that allows us to understand the chemical and geological properties of the materials that we use. His presentation is more like a conversation where the topics flow in and out of one another and are not limited to a single, confined aspect. This style of organization makes for a much more natural way to learn. The section includes the aforementioned discussion of materials, a comparison of premixed or mixing your own clay, choosing a ceramics supplier, the components of clay body formulas, testing clay bodies, and troubleshooting. Part three, Glazes, presents glaze chemistry in a whole new light. Zamek’s presentation is simple yet complete, technical yet down to earth, and so logical and sensible that even one with little or no previous technical knowledge can understand and begin using the information confidently and productively. He talks about solubility and stability in the context of desirable glazes. There are instructions on testing glazes including the significance of firing conditions. The chapter contains sections on glaze technique and troubleshooting. Part four, Heating Ceramic Materials covers the many different aspects and effects that heat has on our materials; kiln types, melting characteristics, atmospheres, and more. This chapter also contains a special treatment of the “S” crack phenomenon.
Following these four major parts are three appendix’s. Going Into The Pottery Business” gives the reader some very practical and critically important information on business practices, marketing, designing a line of work, and sales opportunities. Clay and Glaze Formulas is a unique presentation of over forty formulas that includes a photo of a piece followed by both its clay body and glaze(s) recipe(s). The final appendix is a carefully chosen and well stocked glossary.
Because of the unique and unusual style of The Potter’s Studio Clay & Glaze Handbook, it may be easier to explain what it is not than what it is: It is not a comprehensive encyclopedia of technical ceramics. It is not a complete dictionary of ceramic terminology. It is not a book of clay body and glaze recipes. It is not like any other book you have ever seen. What it is is a carefully chosen set of subjects and topics that are all of critical importance to the practicing potter. It is detailed but not encumbered with jargon and is well written in a user friendly and concise style. It is profusely illustrated with all color images.
The Potter’s Studio Clay & Glaze Handbook is not for everybody. It’s only for you if you want a clean, well thought out book by an esteemed ceramic technician that will give you answers and insights into many of the everyday questions and problems that we all face in our studios on a regular basis. I don’t know about you but that describes me pretty well! Clear off a space on your shelf, on your desk, in your office, on your worktable, or on the counter in your glaze room. This book should be coming to your studio real soon.