The Potter's Way

Book excerpt: 'Warm, honest and full of inspiring tips, Florence's story shows us that pottery has the power to soothe the heart and heal the mind.' JULIA SAMUEL 'An honest and redemptive story about the power of fun and creativity - I've always said if it was mandatory to wear a smock once a week and get messy with clay, adults would be happier.' MIRANDA HART Sometimes, the smallest things lead to the biggest changes. When struggling with depression and feeling lost after the birth of her daughter, Florence St. George began experimenting with a lump of clay on her kitchen table. Pot by pot, bowl by bowl, she discovered that as her hands became busier, her mind grew calmer. In just a few years, Florence went from complete beginner to contestant on The Great Pottery Throw Down, learning what clay has to teach along the way: that creativity doesn't have to be expensive, that pottery is the perfect antidote to internet overload and that working with clay can ground you like nothing else. In The Potter's Way, Florence shares her tips on how to get started on your own pottery journey, from hand-building pinch pots to throwing large-scale vessels on the wheel. This captivating book invites us all to slow down, reflect and experience the transformative power of creativity. 'I have found nothing outside myself that can truly fill the void, but this book demonstrates that pottery is about as close as it gets.' NICK LOVE 'This book is a journey, with a map. Like all maps, it relay's history, from the first point of contact to pivotal moments along the way. I like a map. They help us to find our way.' INDIA HICKS