Kara Leigh Ford

Kara Leigh Ford

Hello everyone, I'm Kara 👋🏻. I'm a full-time potter. I make pots and teach others to make pots from my peaceful garden studio in Somerset, England.
Pottery is a beautiful craft and I think that the more people how have it in their lives the better, whether that be making it, collecting it or just watching videos about it 😉.

If you enjoy my channel you might also like my Pottery Club. Pottery Club is a place where I share dozens of exclusive tutorials, projects, techniques, tips and behind the scenes from my life as a potter. You also get personal support from me and my friendly community with all your own pottery projects and dilemmas. Just think of me as your pottery agony aunt.

Whether you’re a hobbyist, pottery is your side hustle or you are a full time maker yourself - everyone is welcome: karaleighfordceramics.com/community

Don’t forget to like and subscribe.
Thanks so much for watching guys!

How to Soften HARD Clay

How to Soften HARD Clay

Пікірлер

  • @Neopacket
    @Neopacket6 күн бұрын

    Very nice!

  • @user-hg3tl5mv1x
    @user-hg3tl5mv1x19 күн бұрын

    Not to sound creepy, but you are such a naturally beautiful woman! I love your peace and your piece! Great work!

  • @jossbarclay153
    @jossbarclay15324 күн бұрын

    Thanks for the tips, I'm going to retry 🥰

  • @riddle7255
    @riddle725529 күн бұрын

    Some of my students dont believe i can turm slip into a mug 😂

  • @anayaj7163
    @anayaj7163Ай бұрын

    Jesus loves you! Seek Him and truly ask Him to reveal Himself to you!

  • @MikeSerranoFeria-hh8om
    @MikeSerranoFeria-hh8omАй бұрын

    Satisfactory

  • @penni6432
    @penni6432Ай бұрын

    Beautiful! Love the technique. Thanks for sharing.

  • @Ravenxtombstone
    @RavenxtombstoneАй бұрын

    Cool!

  • @Dayzplayer-um9pn
    @Dayzplayer-um9pnАй бұрын

    I want to touch it

  • @annewatkis5824
    @annewatkis5824Ай бұрын

    It seems opening and pulling up the wall is dependent on the 2heel spinning faster than the pulling. Wonderful new info to help me! Thank you xxx

  • @annewatkis5824
    @annewatkis5824Ай бұрын

    I’m really surprised you could make a tallish vase with 1lb of clay. Mine looks like a coffee cup! Beautiful work. Love your videos, thank you.

  • @monkshillpottery
    @monkshillpotteryАй бұрын

    I see you don’t respond to comments. But if you do, is that mold made or purchased?

  • @SuperVirginiaRose
    @SuperVirginiaRoseАй бұрын

    What glaze do you use. I bought a Duncan clear dipping glaze by mistake, do I just dip once for once fired to bisque piece Or?

  • @Halfbakedceramics
    @HalfbakedceramicsАй бұрын

    It is also how close are your fingers are as you pull up. I teach students the distance between your fingers is constant as you pull up. With each consecutive they get a little closer and closer.

  • @dianehammond8512
    @dianehammond8512Ай бұрын

    Best video for fat bottoms🎉

  • @Halfbakedceramics
    @HalfbakedceramicsАй бұрын

    I teach all my students to do this. No one likes a fat bottom. lol

  • @susanneklockner594
    @susanneklockner594Ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for these useful tips ❤

  • @melissak118
    @melissak118Ай бұрын

    I always wondered how to get them to stay without flying off! That tip about rhe water is just what i was missing, thank you!!

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramicsАй бұрын

    Happy to help!

  • @Halfbakedceramics
    @HalfbakedceramicsАй бұрын

    Wow I have never seen anyone open the same way I do. I teach begineers this way to open their clay.

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramicsАй бұрын

    Awesome!

  • @kevinleong4467
    @kevinleong44672 ай бұрын

    I started 8 years ago. I am 22 and started pottery in 8th grade. We were only able to do handing and I don’t think we even had a slab roller or extruder. I loved it so much but I left the toxic middle school I was at. I went to a different school but they didn’t have ceramics as it was a small private one in one school. There is an art center that is 3 or 4 blocks away from my house. I go there now and have been for the last 7-8 years. Covid was so rough since I couldn’t go in and do pottery. I’m enjoying it so much more now though. Waiting to get a slab roller and hopefully a kiln soon.

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramicsАй бұрын

    Thank you so much 🙏 If you get a chance to pop up a review where you bought my book I would be so grateful.

  • @kevinleong4467
    @kevinleong44672 ай бұрын

    What was your day job before this?

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramicsАй бұрын

    I worked in branding and marketing.

  • @kevinleong4467
    @kevinleong44672 ай бұрын

    How did you start/find out about pottery?

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramicsАй бұрын

    I started classes at my local community college.

  • @Alisa-sc2gf
    @Alisa-sc2gf2 ай бұрын

    I made one of these and all is well, thank you for the instructions! However, it moves all the time when I wedge, which is very difficult. Any ideas on how you stabilise yours? I’m thinking of adding a non stick mat under it, but thought I’d check with the community first 😊

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramicsАй бұрын

    A non-stick matt could work. You could also use a damp tea towel underneath to stop it moving.

  • @lisam2496
    @lisam24962 ай бұрын

    Gosh, while watching you, it's all coming back to me what I learned over 20 years ago in college pottery class. I'd love to start throwing pottery again.

  • @lisam2496
    @lisam24962 ай бұрын

    How did you get the part top to be just the perfect size to fit the bottom? Thats amazing!

  • @lisam2496
    @lisam24962 ай бұрын

    I miss throwing pottery. I learned to do it many years ago was I back in college class but besides taking a night class at a University near my home when I graduated (which wasn't ideal because with all their classes they had barely any storage for our pieces) I couldn't find any studios where I could continue classes. I always said I would create my own studio, but its never happened. It's lovely that you are able to create your pieces in your own studio 😊

  • @mindygeist7157
    @mindygeist71572 ай бұрын

    🤩

  • @mindygeist7157
    @mindygeist71572 ай бұрын

    Thanks so much!

  • @heididerksen8227
    @heididerksen82272 ай бұрын

    Very helpful thank you so much

  • @Bringidon
    @Bringidon2 ай бұрын

    yes.. food for thought.. tho not, at present, from one of my pots.. thanks for the video :)

  • @mindygeist7157
    @mindygeist71572 ай бұрын

    This was so helpful, thank you so much!

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramics2 ай бұрын

    You're so welcome!

  • @mattalsop2008
    @mattalsop20082 ай бұрын

    Amazing video and very helpful. Just made the same using your instructions and I'm enjoying reading your book too.

  • @joncrute4453
    @joncrute44532 ай бұрын

    Streuth

  • @surfdiva0
    @surfdiva02 ай бұрын

    Very helpful! Thank you

  • @bysaygeceramics
    @bysaygeceramics3 ай бұрын

    love seeing a little insight into another potters day :)

  • @spikeboy101
    @spikeboy1013 ай бұрын

    Yeeeaaaa I'm too fat to brace my elbow against my stomach so I guess I'll go lose 100lbs and then do pottery

  • @AntiGolf
    @AntiGolf3 ай бұрын

    hot

  • @qa377
    @qa3773 ай бұрын

    Do you ever worry about your hair/ etc ending up stuck in the clay? I saw someone's flowy shirt get wound up in a vase once

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramics3 ай бұрын

    I didn’t back then but it’s longer now so do tend to tie it back 😂

  • @joannec39
    @joannec393 ай бұрын

    Amazing thank you

  • @joncrute4453
    @joncrute44533 ай бұрын

    Streuth

  • @mabob6212
    @mabob62123 ай бұрын

    lovely vids as usual...i suspect the "anti seize" u use is copper grease which is probably a fraction of the price. from a car accessory shop

  • @crunchybeen4263
    @crunchybeen42633 ай бұрын

    Food really wasn't restricted in the center. I took food and drink daily. I can't wait to go again. This was my first year and I hope to go again in 2026.

  • @sisu7625
    @sisu76253 ай бұрын

    HEY. I really enjoyed this video. Just found ur channel. I am on a similar waypoint in my life. I wonna quit my job for pottery. Scaring and exciting at the same time.

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramics3 ай бұрын

    Learn how to make a pottery spoon rest #pottery kzread.infoZWS3qdYAYTU?feature=share

  • @katewainwright3386
    @katewainwright33863 ай бұрын

    I wasn’t shown this technique when I started - 8 months ago. It’s FAB and genuinely makes centering SO much easier! Thank you

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramics3 ай бұрын

    So glad it was helpful 👍🏻😃

  • @oishikaray2767
    @oishikaray2767Ай бұрын

    ❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @EthelMaud
    @EthelMaud3 ай бұрын

    Hi Kara, I have just bought a laser G7 gas kiln too (March’24), and experienced similar difficulties transporting and getting it in place in my garden! It is now there, in its purpose (half-built) shelter. I have fired mine up briefly, to make sure it works; it’s rather noisy! I might have to build some soundproofing modifications so as not to upset my neighbours. I’m really looking forward to part 2 of your video.

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramics3 ай бұрын

    Hey there 👋🏻 oh that’s so cool! Good to know about the noise. Hoping to have mine up and running soon 🤞🏻

  • @EthelMaud
    @EthelMaud3 ай бұрын

    @@KaraLeighFordCeramics ​I will. I have decided to extend the walls downwards (they are currently open on three sides below about 5 feet), so-as to contain the sound. I will have an opening door at the front for loading the kiln, and a small peephole opening door inside the main door, to spy in the plug hole. I’ll let you know how it goes. One of my neighbours is particularly picky!

  • @robinsizemore107
    @robinsizemore1073 ай бұрын

    I wonder why you are not wearing a mask while grinding the glaze from base of the cups???

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramics3 ай бұрын

    At about 3 mins in I explain why you want to always wet sand as this method captures all the dust in the water. I warn never to dry sand pottery.

  • @sidselfabricius4110
    @sidselfabricius41103 ай бұрын

    Thanks for this video. Where is your diamond grinding dish from, and which grit do you use (I can see they come in different versions, I.e. 60, 120, or 240 grit). If I had to buy only one, which one would you recommend? Maybe it is unrealistic to think that I can buy one to use both for such type of rescue work and also for making smooth and nice bottoms.

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramics3 ай бұрын

    They’re from Diamond Core tools.

  • @darrellmelton1215
    @darrellmelton12153 ай бұрын

    Next time, you might stuff a sponge into the throat of your jug to prevent glaze from going inside while you pour your glaze. The jug, however, is great and I love your glaze results.

  • @KaraLeighFordCeramics
    @KaraLeighFordCeramics3 ай бұрын

    Great idea, Darrell! I actually don’t mind the glazes overlapping.

  • @veganjones8492
    @veganjones84923 ай бұрын

    thanks for the video, now i have to figure out temps, cause i dont have a digital readout, just three house type switches