Making Pottery without a Kiln: Happy Little Projects to Make for Your Home

by Daniela Schmidt-Kohl

You don't need a kiln or an expensive at-home pottery rig to start crafting amazing

• A home-crafters practical guide for creating handmade decorative and functional pottery without the need for a potter's wheel or kiln
• 49 projects arranged by seasonality, such as a spring bird pendant, summer small garland with plant prints, fall milk & sugar tray, and winter place card candle holder
• Beginner-friendly introductory content covers materials needed, tools, and aids found in the home such as a rolling pin, thin straw, and baking paper
• Author Daniela Schmidt-Kohl is a well-rounded crafter working in a variety of mediums including modeling clay, wood, paper, concrete, ceramic casting compound, and Epoxy resin

Making Pottery without a Kiln is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to work pottery with their hands from home!

Inside this book, author Daniela Schmidt-Kohl, owner of the KlickerKram shop, will help "mold" you from a beginner to someone who can fashion wonderfully creative pots, trays, jars, and plant holders—without expensive pottery equipment! Including tips for materials and tools and aids—but never requiring a kiln—this book will teach you the joys of crafts you can fashion with your own hands.

You'll discover a start-to-finish approach for beautifully creative pottery, beginning with harvesting your own clay and finishing with floral reliefs. Start fashioning decorative touches and you'll feel like you've been happily pottering for decades!

Making Pottery without a Kiln is great for beginners who want to learn, as well as advanced potters who want to get back to their roots. You'll find ideas for simple key racks and bowls, for example. Or level up with autumnal motifs and Christmas pendants! Invite people to join you with simple projects like little luck charms or liven up your home with boho-chic wall mandalas.

If you love working with your hands, there's something for you inside Making Pottery without a Kiln. And you may just find out why creating something with your own hands is a "happiness maker," creating great vibes that last just as long as your new creations!

Genres: Nonfiction, Crafts

144 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2023

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been interested in learning how to create pottery for quite some time, but I’m not in a financial position to pursue that. I looked into classes and they’re rather pricey (fairly so, but I’m just not in that tax bracket). I researched pottery wheels and do not feel confident investing in such an expensive piece when I’m not even sure I’ll be any good at this.

But you know what I really cannot afford? A kiln.

This book appealed to me immediately because of the title, and I wasn’t disappointed with what it offered. I think these projects provide an excellent foundation for someone like me to lean upon. I can get a feel for working with modeling clay, and while I know it’s not the same structurally, it will help me decide if I want to further pursue this late in life dream of mine.

I loved the projects in this book. They aren’t terribly complicated, and they are exactly my style. The author took a lot of time to provide detailed information on getting started, as well as step by step instructions to walk us through each creation.

I am definitely going to order a physical copy for myself!

I am immensely grateful to Landauer and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from Fox Chapel Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book caught my eye because it’s a great way to introduce people to different types of clay since most people think of ceramic clay first! This book covers using modeling and air-hardening clay to make household items, and explains the differences between both before diving into the tools and many projects this book covers. I like the nice range of projects they show us because it shows off how versatile these clays can be! I particularly liked the idea of using leaves because I never thought about using them outside of Raku for some reason. I’m excited to use some leaves with my future projects again!

All in all, this is a great book to get readers started with using non-ceramic types of clay. I think it’s a fun way for people to get started in pottery without having to think about kilns or baking their projects in an oven or toaster oven. I think it’s a fun book to check out if you’ve ever been interested in pottery!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My grandma had her hands in so many different types of crafting and sewing projects, and I inherited that love from her. My toxic trait, however, is thinking I can do them all and work a full-time job! To that end ... my latest obsession is studying up on pottery techniques. I don't want to get into anything major, or too detailed, but I do want to learn a few things that will allow me to decide whether this hobby is for me.

Making Pottery Without a Kiln by Daniela Schmidt-Kohl fit what I was looking for perfectly. The book begins with the expected pages discussing necessary, or helpful, tools, whether store-bought or found in nature. These are followed by 29 projects which have step-by-step, easy-to-understand instructions with photos. There are ornaments, jewelry dishes, tags with multiple uses, home decor, and a stunning tiled tray. There is some repetition in the types of items being created and how they're formed, but I don't have an issue with that. As a beginner, I like that this feels like a "learn a technique and expand on it" kind of book. Some books can feel far too overwhelming because they are trying to cover a myriad of design options.

I also love the thought put behind the projects being year-round and categorized by seasons. A lot of craft books are general, in nature. While there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s nice to have the fun of looking ahead and planning what projects you want to try out for the upcoming seasons or holidays. Different techniques, like stamping, decoupaging, embossing, stenciling, and painting, are taught along the way with tips and tricks for each.

The author explains that every project can be made with either modeling clay or air-drying clay, and she leaves it up to the reader/crafter to choose which one they prefer to work with. The white color of the modeling clay might seem the better option, but, personally, I prefer the air-drying clay even though it dries gray. I'd rather work with a medium that is repairable and re-moldable. Schmidt-Kohl also mentions the important fact that these clays are not as strong as ceramic, so the finished pieces will require a bit more care and includes also helpful notes regarding using oven-drying polymer clay if the projects will be used outdoors.

All-in-all, I was pretty happy with Making Pottery Without a Kiln. I will be referring back to it often until I get my footing working with clay. My apologies ahead of time to the family members that will be inundated with clay gifts that I don't know what else to do with as I learn!

I received a digital copy of this book and have chosen to leave this objective review.

[DustyBookSniffers - Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Pottery without a Kiln by Daniela Schmidt-Kohl is a beautifully presented guide that brims with inspiration, practical projects, and vivid photography. This book offers a gateway to endless creativity for anyone with a passion for Pottery but without access to a kiln.

One of the book's most captivating features is its seasonal layout, inviting readers to explore a range of projects tied to different times of the year. This thoughtful organization adds a refreshing touch and makes it easy to dive into a project that suits the mood or season. I was eager to try every project and couldn't wait to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty!

Schmidt-Kohl has crafted a resource that excels at engaging visual learners. The step-by-step instructions are complemented by a wealth of photographs and clear illustrations, ensuring that even complex techniques feel accessible. This thoughtful approach makes the book approachable for beginners and exciting for seasoned crafters alike.

What truly sets this book apart is the ingenious use of everyday items to create unique patterns and textures. From napkin designs to cookie cutters and more, the author offers an inventive take on pottery-making that encourages readers to see potential in ordinary objects. This kind of creativity makes every project feel unique and personal.
On a personal note, I want to get my own physical copy of this book
so I can share the joy and satisfaction of making Pottery by hand with my daughters, thanks to the approachable guidance in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publications—(Landauer imprint) for providing this delightful read in exchange for an honest review. Making Pottery without a Kiln is a must-have for anyone interested in bringing their pottery dreams to life; no kiln is required!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Making Pottery without a Kiln is a tutorial and instruction guide for pottery techniques with projects by multi crafter and content creator Daniela Schmidt-Kohl. Originally published in German in 2023, this English language translation is due out 14th May 2025 from Fox Chapel. It's 144 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The book follows a logical layout. The instructions presuppose no previous experience on the reader's part. The book begins with an introduction which covers tools and supplies. It includes recipes and definitions for everything from surface embellishments, to sourcing and preparing clay.

The tutorials are arranged by seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each of the projects include complete instructions, supplies lists, and numerous full color photos. Readers of most levels will find useful information and tips. The projects all use air drying clays (and modelling clay) and no kiln firing is needed. There are small gift tags, decorative objects, small table items (like a cute coffee tray), and other giftables. The projects utilize rolling pins, surface embossers, cookie cutters, etc.. so for the most part, there are no full size templates included.

Really lovely job. The translation work is seamless and there are no obvious issues with scansion or word choice.

Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good friends of ours create gorgeous pottery using a kiln so the only knowledge I have of this craft is from them. When I realized pieces can be created from air-hardening clay and modelling clay without using a kiln, I grew excited. Sure, it may not technically be traditional pottery to my understanding, but the seasonal projects in this book appeal to the crafter in me. The inclusion of nature such as botanicals clinched it for me as a nature lover. Working with my hands brings me such joy.

The author includes materials needed, instructions, photographs, and tips for each project. She explains texturing, includes templates, describes painting and decoupage, using napkins and sponges, stenciling using cookie cutters, and how to make quick repairs with slurry. Projects include garland, candle holder, herb markers, gift tags, air plant holders, a jewelry dish and a tiled coffee tray. Amongst my favourites are the bird ornaments and flowerpot made from an ordinary pantry object. But nearly all of the projects would be a for appealing for me to make. I wonder whether earrings with this technique would be realistic (unless too heavy?).

I would love to get immersed in clay as a medium. The projects in this book triggered further ideas to pop into my mind. The required material list is short and wouldn't require be a significant financial outlay as so many projects do (until one becomes immersed!). Fascinating stuff!

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book because I was hoping for instructions for using natural clay (which is easy to find in nature) for pottery projects without a kiln, like using a fire pit or campfire the way we fired pottery for most of history. Instead, these are decorative projects using purchased polymer clay and air dry clay. They are mostly for things like ornaments and decorations. You do need to purchase a fair amount of stuff for most of them and they are a bit fiddly, better suited for adults than children. I think the projects would end up costing you a lot more than if you just bought the items, but if you enjoy hand crafting little decorative pieces then you will definitely enjoy this book.

I read a digital copy of this book for review.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Fox Chapel Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I have had continuing familial health challenges to contend with in the past months.

This book is a great introduction for people wanting to get into working with clay, and only familiar with ceramic clay. After explaining the differences between modelling and air-hardening clay, tools for working with both are covered and then a nice range of possible projects are shown. Some of these are repetitive, as the same basic techniques underly many of the projects, but I appreciated the breadth of the possibilities shown. Perfect for someone interested in this type of craft, working with clay but not able to dive into working with ceramic clay.

[Josephine · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are very cool and great ideas. Every book I read leads me to having more ideas for my collage art, and I always thought it would be cool to make pottery projects. However, the cost of classes or the supplies needed for home are prohibitive. These projects seem very easy. My only concern is the high-gloss coating aspect, as I'm very sensitive to odors, but that's not the author's fault, and I will investigate low-odor options for that. Definitely going to try out some of these soon!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve taken a couple of pottery classes and enjoyed them very much. It’s tough to do as a hobby as buying a kiln can be expensive, messy and you need a lot space in your home. Making Pottery without a kiln is just the book to keep me happy working with clay without the hassle or expense of a kiln. The book offers creative and practical projects. I have tried one and look forward to take on more of the projects.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved these easy but beautiful clay projects that don't require a kiln. They are small but useful and decorative items that most of us would love to have in our homes.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative on how to make beautiful clay items without the hassle of a kiln. Loved the different techniques she uses to make different items. The step by step instructions were fantastic. Can't wait to try these projects out.

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Pottery Without a Kiln is an excellent resource m. I had actually hoped it explored more types of clay but what it did explore was exceptionally well done. The pictures are gorgeous and the ideas and inspiration are almost endless. I highly recommend it!

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I’m not sure about the durability of air dried clay, this book is excellent. There are many step by step instructions for the projects. There projects were all something I would make in my home. Just adorable. I may now have ANOTHER hobby! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Ishieta Chopra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - such great ideas and photos that clearly show each step to take to make - perfect for a beginner like me. Adding this on my new hobby list for this year.

[Amaya Okazaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many cute ideas I cant wait to try!!

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

This book has project ideas using either air dry clay or modeling clay. A lot of the projects look cute and use a lot of the same tools for different projects (rolling pin, cookie cutters, cutting tool, decorative paper napkins, varnish). After a while, the projects just seem like basically the same thing repeated with slight differences, but I liked the ideas, and they looked easy to do.