In 2021, just two months after touching clay for the very first time, I shared my first pottery video on YouTube. At the time, I had no social media experience, I was still figuring out how to centre clay, and I only filmed that first kiln opening to capture the thrill of making a mug.

I wasn’t even brave enough to upload it myself – my husband pressed the button for me because I was too nervous. I never expected anyone outside of family to watch. But when strangers began commenting, laughing along with my squeals of excitement, and sharing in my joy, I realised something magical was happening.

That one upload was the start of a journey that’s changed my life in so many ways. In this blog, I want to share why I started, what I wish I’d known, and how YouTube has impacted my life, my pottery, and even my mental health. If you’ve ever wondered about starting a channel of your own, I hope my story will give you the encouragement you need.

Finding Pottery in My Mid-50s

I was 56 when my husband surprised me with a pottery wheel for my birthday. Until then, I’d never touched clay. Within weeks, I was hooked. But with lockdowns in place and no local studio to join, my only option was to learn from YouTube. Every evening, I binge-watched potters throwing, glazing, and decorating, determined to absorb as much as I could.

My very first kiln opening was such an emotional rollercoaster that I grabbed my phone to record it – not with the intention of sharing, but to capture that amazing feeling of “I actually made a thing!” That raw, emotional moment – complete with squeals and happy dances – ended up being exactly what connected with people when my husband encouraged me to share it.

The Steep Learning Curve 

When I started uploading, I had no idea how YouTube worked. Descriptions, thumbnails, tags, and end screens all sounded like another language. But I wasn’t afraid of experimenting with editing itself. My early videos were basic, but I tried split screens, cuts, and overlays as I went, teaching myself step by step.

It was exciting and terrifying in equal measure – but also strangely empowering. Learning something I’d never done before (and never thought I could do) gave me as much satisfaction as pulling a pot off the wheel.

Of course, there were mistakes too – like filming in portrait for far too long, or struggling with sound quality. But none of it stopped me. And over time, I discovered that people weren’t there for perfect polish; they were there for honesty, enthusiasm, and relatability.

Building a Community

Working alone in a home studio can be isolating. But through YouTube, I suddenly found myself surrounded by like-minded potters. They offered advice when things went wrong, celebrated my little wins, and encouraged me when I doubted myself.

What began as a diary of my pottery journey quickly turned into conversations with a whole community.

When YouTube emailed to say I’d reached the criteria for monetisation, I was floored. I didn’t even activate it straight away because I didn’t know what it meant – but just getting that message was proof of how far things had come.

Paying It Forward

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to help other potters start their own channels -offering advice, giving shout-outs, and sharing the tips I wish I’d known at the start. Watching them grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of this adventure. And perhaps the best part? Meeting potters I first connected with online. Filming those meet-ups, attending workshops, and adding vlogs about them to my channel has been a reminder that this community stretches across the world.

Quick Tips If You’re Thinking of Starting a Pottery Channel

• Just start. Don’t wait until you feel “ready”- you’ll learn faster by doing.
• Be yourself. Share the mistakes as well as the wins – it’s what makes you relatable.
• Film in landscape. Learn from my early mistake!
• Invest in a simple lapel mic. Good sound matters more than fancy cameras.

• Don’t fear the tech. Learn in small steps – it’s less scary than it looks.

Quick Win Tip: Your first video doesn’t need to be perfect. Your excitement and honesty are what people will connect with.

Conclusion

Looking back, I’m so glad my husband pressed “upload” on that first video. What began as a way to document my pottery progress has turned into one of the most rewarding parts of my life.

YouTube has given me a supportive community, boosted my confidence, and turned a solitary hobby into a shared adventure. It’s pushed me to experiment, helped me learn faster, and even opened the door for me to help others along their journeys.

I’m not an expert potter, and I don’t pretend to be. What I do is share the whole journey – mistakes and all. That honesty has become my channel’s strength. Viewers see the tears as well as the triumphs, and they seem to value that.

If you’re even slightly tempted to start your own pottery channel, my advice is simple: do it. Don’t wait until you feel like an expert. Don’t wait until you have all the right gear. Just share your story. The pottery community is kind, encouraging, and endlessly supportive – and you might be surprised by the connections you’ll make.

Pottery is more than making pots – it’s a journey of connection, growth, and endless discovery. By sharing that journey online, you not only create a record of your own progress but also contribute to a supportive, global community. And who knows? Like me, you might just find it changes your life in ways you never expected.

About Me

My name is Jeanette Stevens, and I live in Far Forest, a gorgeous little hamlet in the heart of the Wyre Forest, surrounded by countryside, trees, and natural beauty. My pottery studio sits within an annex on our land and has grown with me over time -especially since I retired last year. What began as a simple space to learn has evolved into a fully fledged studio, with new equipment, extra shelving, and even behind-the-scenes tours on YouTube where I share my love of (sometimes crazy!) organisation and workflows. 

Pottery came into my life when my husband surprised me with a wheel during lockdown. With no classes nearby, I taught myself through YouTube and quickly discovered that clay is like a rabbit warren – you never reach the end. There are endless paths to explore, tunnels that twist and rejoin, and along the way you meet fellow “pottery rabbits” who share the adventure. That sense of exploration still excites me every day. I’ve loved experimenting with little knowledge but a lot of enthusiasm – and I’m still amazed when others want to learn from my discoveries! Some of my favourite experiments include recycling glaze into coloured chips to use on vertical and horizontal surfaces

I was also gifted an Airpen for slip decoration, which opened a whole new adventure. I even set up a Facebook group to go alongside my YouTube playlist Pottery and the Airpen.

Today, my pottery journey has branched into multiple areas: I sell my work at local markets, take on commissions, and run an online shop. My channel has grown into playlists covering kiln openings, tutorials, make-alongs, glaze-alongs, vlogs of meeting global potters, attending workshops, and more.

My Instagram has also taken off, especially with short reels showing weeks of work condensed into 60 seconds. I even created a second Instagram dedicated solely to my glaze tests, now with over 1,000 documented combinations complete with a digital search facility.

For me, pottery is a gift that keeps on giving. Every new technique, test, and connection is another branch in the rabbit warren, and I can’t wait to keep exploring.

Find me here:

• Website: farforestceramics.com
• YouTube : youtube.com/@FarForestCeramics
• Instagram: instagram.com/farforestceramics
• Glaze Tests Instagram: instagram.com/farforestceramicsglazetests/

Facebook: Jeanette Stevens | Facebook

Let’s Chat

Have you ever thought about starting your own pottery channel – or maybe you already have one? What’s holding you back, or what’s been your biggest surprise so far? I’d love to hear your experiences, funny mistakes, and best tips. The more we share, the more we inspire each other. Let’s keep this amazing community growing!