Kayleigh O'Donnell
Pottery

Pottery inspired by nature, history, and folklore.

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About Kayleigh

Kayleigh of KO Pottery, who works mostly from her home studio in Oxfordshire. Her work predominantly features hand-built and altered thrown forms. She takes great pride in the delicate and textured details of her pieces, which, although time-consuming, is her favourite aspect of the creative process. As an Art Teacher, she cherishes the moments she can dedicate to experimenting with new ideas and materials in her pottery.

Kayleigh’s work is deeply inspired by themes of nature, history, and folklore. She draws motivation from the seasonal changes and the rich stories and traditions that different locations embody. Her passion lies in capturing these narratives in clay, allowing them to live on in various forms. This connection to storytelling is evident in her creations, which reflect her love for the art of pottery and the stories they continue to tell.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kayleigh at kayleighopottery@gmail.com. You can follow her on Instagram at @kayleighopottery to stay updated on her upcoming work.

Little fish 🐟 bowls incoming! I’ve been playing around with printing techniques lately and initially I didn’t think the fish worked printed so cleanly for this design on some test samples. These bowls were dry enough to allow the print not to attach in all places. The clay body will have a speckled look when fired, which will hopefully work out even better with this kind of style of illustrations.

Now for the drying…

#pottery #illustrations #printing #fish #stories

My little goodbye letter! Who knew reminiscing could feel so good 🥰

Thank you @potterythrow @channel4

#potterythrowdown #pottery

Here’s a little video to share with you what I have been working on lately! All work is in progress and will look forward to sharing bits as they become a bit more complete or finished 🤞☺️ have a wonderful weekend!

#clay #pottery #nature #flowers

Where to begin… No words can really sum up my experience on The Great Pottery Throw Down. I am so full of gratitude 🙏 and love 🥰 for it all. It’s bonkers to think nearly a year ago I filled in that application form and thought never would I make it. I remember Chris saying after my main audition ‘How did you do?’ And I said, ‘No, I was too weird. I started talking about toad 🐸 collecting.’ He then said, ‘Were you yourself?’ and I replied with ‘Yes’ and I remember him saying ‘Well then, that’s all that matters.’

My reason for why I applied was hopefully reflected in my main make for ‘body in motion sculpture’. I have always lacked confidence with myself and I spend lots of my time as a teacher asking children to be brave in their Art lessons, so I thought it was time I should do the same. This experience has pushed me in ways I didn’t think was possible. I always knew clay was more than a lump of mud, it’s powerful. The history of the material, the process of that connection when working with it, is something truly special. I love how I have tried many new things. Blood, sweat and tears (and nearly vomit with the blind folded challenge) have gone into some of these makes and I am all the better for it. My goal each week was to put my all in it and that way I couldn’t be disappointed.

Of course the people made this to be truly wonderful. There are so many fantastic people behind the scenes and in front of the cameras who made us all feel welcomed. The wonderful 11 potters who made this truly the most special experience ever! They are all bonkers and we really did have some laughs. I love how we have all become such great friends connected by clay. I love them all!

Thank you 🙏 for all the lovely comments and conversations I have had with you all. I am grateful for each and everyone week after week.

I am full of excitement for what’s next… Thank you Throw Down!

@potterythrow
#pottery

Week 8: Body in motion (sawdust firing)

Wow! Quarter finals! A week full of emotions that’s for sure!

I have never made an abstract piece before and each week I have pushed myself. I wanted to be part of this experience to become more confident and be brave. I know that needed to be represented in this sculpture and I was probably bonkers from the start to make a closed form for an unknown firing process. I did rush during the later stages of the make and stupidly left it on the wrong side to dry, so the idea of it turning on points of the form just couldn’t happen. I took many risks with this make but I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

The highlight for me was the sawdust firing and I’m really happy with some of the markings! The fern leaf was so beautiful and it felt like a little nod to remind me nature is with me, even though I knew it was over.

Never did I think I would make it this far and to achieve so much! I am so full of gratitude for it all. I have had the best time with the best people from all my new pottery pals, judges, Siobhan and all the crew that made it so special! Clay really is magical! Over and out @potterythrow down, series 9!

#pottery #abstract #fire #art #nature

Here are my ‘Wild man of Orford’ candle holders/stem vases all underglazed. They have taken a very long time to paint but I have loved making them. I tend to underglaze on greenware, so the next part will be the bisque firing. All being well I will add some copper oxide to the ‘hair’ they won’t be as dark as my bookends and then cobalt carbonate for the sea followed by a transparent gloss as the final step before the last firing.

I have had a few questions about how I suspended my fish on my bookends and I’ve done the same here. I use a high firing nichrome wire that is available in various sizes. It does expand when heating and is strong with its hold after firing. The wire will change to black.

These will be making their way to @gladstonepottery next month for the Makers’ Market.

#pottery #orford #ceramics #folklore #stories

Having some time to reflect on week 7 this afternoon whist making has brought a smile to my face! Here are some zoomed in photos from the main make flower posey and the spot test with @jotaylorceramics

I loved creating these pieces and flowers have always meant so much to me. I can’t wait to get this posey back later this year as it will now become a piece filled with memories of a fun week and the joy of sharing that time with all the other potters.

@potterythrow
#clay #pottery #flowers #posey #nature

Thanks so much for all the love and support. I’m really excited to say my website is now restocked and live.

I’m currently busy working on a new collection of work and here’s a little sneaky look at this. More work will be available next month @gladstonepottery for the Ceramics Makers’ Market. More information to follow about this soon.

#pottery

Week 7: Flower posey

My heart 💓 is so full for this week! I loved both challenges and never once did I think I’d gain potter of the week and a first in the technical challenge.

I’m in my happy place as it’s mostly a hand building challenge and I do love flowers 🌷

My make ‘A Spoonful of Medicine’ was linking flowers to their medicinal properties and more so to how flowers and plants have been linked to healing properties for centuries. I am in wonder of all species and how they all have their own little purpose in life and they are much more than looking pretty. My priority was realism and I worked hard to capture that with form and colour. I remember being very rushed between this episode and the last as I was teaching, so on a total whim I made some last minute sprig moulds using @fimostaedtler clay and they worked a treat for a few additional textures.

This was dedicated to my nan who had one of these (she use to make me dust it as a child) and I even cut my finger on it and I remember her cleaning that up for me (this didn’t make the edit). So this was for you nan.

Of course the cherry 🍒 on top was making Kieth teary 🥹 eyed and both judges gave the most beautiful comments that I will forever cherish.

#pottery #flowers #posey #nature #healing

Raku process captured here of my little hanging fish 🐟 I made these from porcelain and added nichrome wire so they could be glazed both sides to become a hanging fish. I used a mixture of glazes mostly from @bathpotterssupplies

It was certainly fiddly removing them off the rods at close to 1000 degrees. My favourite thing about Raku especially when you make multiple pieces is that each one is different and I love that they all have their own quality.

These will be making their way to The Maker’s Market @gladstonepottery next month.

@oxfordshirearts
#pottery #raku #fish #nature #art

Thanks terracotta I think I’ll leave the flowers for another time!

The moment when master potter @keithbrymerjones breaks your work on TV 🤣

@potterythrow
#clay #terracota #bloopers #tv

Week 6: Tagine and coal brazier

Wow! What a week! It was a week of many firsts. Firstly, terracotta clay that I hadn’t used before and I knew it was a clay that needs to be understood 🥴 not too much water and it gets tired quicker! It was also a once fired piece, so adding wet glazes to drying out clay is always a risk. I am so impressed we all survived this week and I am pleased I got through it.

I did enjoy researching this make on the train 🚂 up and fell in love with floral shapes from a gorgeous college in Marrakesh. I was a little disappointed I didn’t get the design in quite how I expected but was pleased I had time to decorate the inside of the dish too.

Will I try terracotta again… maybe in a few years when this experience is long forgotten 🤪

@potterythrow
#clay #terracotta #geometric #marrakech

A little clip here of a student’s piece being burped. Yes, I said burped and that is a pottery term 😆

Today @oxfordshirearts we had a mixture of a Copper Matte and Raku workshop, which is always a joy! 🤩

I will look forward to sharing a video of my Raku fish 🐟 soon. For now I hope you enjoy the beautiful flash of colours created during Copper Matte an exciting process that just like Raku involves heat and flames 🔥 with one off colours.

#pottery #coppermatte #raku #flames #art

Here are a few pictures that inspired this week’s make for the retro souvenir set! As a family we loved Devon! We were always playing on the beach and had fun at the arcade! Memories to cherish forever!

@potterythrow
#devon #seaside #shells #beach #clay

Week 5: Retro souvenir set

Wow! What a week! I became some type of crazy potter this week. There were lots of pieces a ribbon plate including piercing and illustration, a tankard with sprigs, a bell that rings and either a conch shell, clog or wheelbarrow.

My piece was themed on my seaside holidays as a child to Paignton in Devon. I have found memories of eating lots of rock, watching the trains on the beach and of course the arcade on the pier with my family. I wanted the strips to replicate the classic rock colours and it’s hard to see but the rim had the word Paignton stamped in. I didn’t quite get the chance to finish my crab 🦀 handle, but I did what I could in the time and adapted as I went. That’s the life of a potter 😅

My highlight of the make was the bell and for me the memories of my holiday links with fun, so it had to be playful. I used a small rib tool to create the rubber ring and starfish sprigs as an extra bit of silliness as that was a little nod to the rock pools.

@potterythrow

#clay #seaside #devon #bell #holiday

Week 4: Raku (parent and child animal sculpture)

Wow 🤩 what a week! My dream was to make it to Raku week, so much fun with fire 🔥

My sculpture is based on a great crested grebe. I often enjoy watching them dive in the water at my local reservoir, but I’m yet to see one with its zebra looking young. They have such pretty markings and colours.

This build was really fun and I’ve never worked so fast to produce high texture with the details of the different feathers for both birds. My main worry was the parent bird tilting forwards whilst holding it with the tongs, so I’m really pleased I didn’t drop it. I’m proud of the colours I managed to achieve with underglazes and oxides. I have only ever used specialist Raku glazes before.

Thanks to @oxfordshirearts for allowing me to learn lots about Raku and knowing when to look for that runny honey look (temperature) to know it’s ready for the sawdust.

It was brilliant to see all the other potters and their amazing makes. The second challenge was incredible with @nickmackmansculpture and the rhinos 🦏 looked brilliant together. Such a privilege to see her sculpt in action! It’s amazing what you can achieve in such little time. I think we all need to go on a safari now!

@potterythrow
#pottery #raku #fire #sculpture #animal

This is what Sundays are made for! A good cup of tea and some clay. The nights are still dark even though the light is coming, so I thought I’d make some candle holders.

One thing I love to do the most is add a sprig. I have made some moulds of leaves and blackberries from my allotment and the blackberries featured on my recent puzzle jug.

#candles #pottery #clay #fruits

The inspiration behind the puzzle jug my grandad Edgar seen here looking very smart. He was a very keen gardener who specialised in succulents and cacti but also was brilliant on his allotment. It’s thanks to him why I love the garden and I have many fond memories of time outside when I was little. Now, it’s mostly thanks to my mum but we do all love getting stuck in and having a laugh together.

Nature has always inspired my makes and this made the puzzle jug just that extra special. Even the blackberries I cast to make sprig moulds came from the blackberry bush he planned on the allotment when I was a little one.

@potterythrow
#nature #gardening #pottery #allotmentlove

Week 3: Puzzle jug

My piece was dedicated to my late grandad Edgar. As a child me and my mum and siblings spent a lot of time picking nice things to eat and beautiful flowers for the home. It’s amazing how much you learn from someone by watching and getting stuck in. Now, this allotment is still in the family and going strong (mostly thanks to my mother), but we do all get stuck in.

The jug itself was a coiled piece, slab built top with piercing, hollowed rim, three spouts and a hollow handle with hidden hole. For decoration I included handmade sprigs of tomatoes (acting as pumpkins) and blackberries. Pumpkin stalks were mini coils and I loved sponging different tones of underglazes to the sprigs. The handle and spouts were based on snakes that nest on the allotment. This was by far the hardest build I have ever made and I really wanted to do well in honour of my grandad, so I was chuffed to see it all finished.

All the makes were gorgeous and so nice to see all the details. A huge well done to @crockashwt and a very sad goodbye to the very talented @markburtonpottery

@potterythrow
#clay #allotmentuk #nature #pottery

Week 2 bookends was so much fun and I’ve made a little video to retell the story that inspired the make.

The Wild Man of Orford story was a monk’s account taken from the 13th century. He wrote about a weird human like creature taken from the sea of East Anglia. You cannot help but feel pity for this hairy wild man taken from his home who was destined thankfully to return to nature.

For this piece I sketched out my different characters and features using paper cut and collaging techniques. Inks and oil pastels were also used to create more expressive marks.

@potterythrow
#folklore #coast #uk #story #art

Week 2: Bookends

‘Wild Man of Orford’

I loved this week, I loved the freedom of the brief and one of my favourite parts of clay is the slab building and hand building process.

My design was based on the old English folklore story of The Wild Man of Orford. A hairy man captured by fishing folk who ended up in a castle keep. I will retell this story later this week.

The hand building was so fun and I remember my wrist hurting so much from extruding so much hair. The shells, star fish and seahorse were made by using tiny handmade sprigs and the fish made to look like they are swimming placed on some nichrome wire. For glazes I used copper oxide and a range of underglazes and he did come out a bit darker than I expected, but so happy overall.

@potterythrow

#clay #stories #folklore

I haven’t been on the wheel for a little while, so this throwing time felt good.

Thinking of so many new ideas lately and my little mind is bursting with excitement!

#clay #pottery #creative

Week 1: Soup Tureen Set ‘A Winter’s Night’

This included one lidded soup tureen with a gallery and a fancy knob, 2 matching soup bowls identical in size and form with 2 pairs of lugs but different in decoration and finally a ladle. This was a 6 hour make plus 3 hours to glaze.

I had never been so scared to create something in this way before in a short time, in a new environment and on the TV, using some new techniques that I had never used. That being said I was really proud of this and loved creating the illustrations and especially the bobble hat knob. It was really special to incorporate the loved ones in my life. My husband Chris, my beautiful cat Peter and my two rabbits Ginny and Newt along with a few other favourite things (pigeons and carrots). Thanks to all that watched and all the lovely comments 🥰

@potterythrow @channel4

Tomorrow! Did I mention tomorrow is the day! Tune in on @channel4 for series 9 of @potterythrow starting at 7:30pm. I can’t wait for you all to meet this amazing bunch of potters! I’m full of excitement and nerves that it’s finally ready to share, but mostly feeling so lucky to have a new wonderful group of friends 🥰 Thanks to everyone again for all the kindness and comments and messages that I have been given from the likes to the followers of new faces, it means so much to share the love of clay with you all. @augustno14 @macchoi_pottery @markburtonpottery @hessavistudio @fynn.made.this @kazwoodspotter @plaidough @crockashwt @naveedkhanpottery @billrollsceramics @emilyheslingceramics

I am so happy to announce that I am in series 9 of @potterythrow starting this Sunday 4th January @channel4 What a way to start the new year! 🤩

Some late night potting happening last night. I do enjoy adding my maker’s mark on a leather hard piece before it transforms into something new. #pottery #makers #art

Merry Christmas 🎄 to all! A little thanks for all that have supported KO Pottery this year. I haven’t shown my face much but have loved talking to lots about my pots and have enjoyed many lovely comments about my weird and wonderful creations. I am excited for many new makes planned for 2026! 🧡

Here it is my Krampus! Traditionally the story is that Krampus steals children! My version is of a slightly kinder Krampus who steals presents 🎁 from under the Christmas tree 🎄 he’s been busy with this, so you better watch out! I’m over the moon with this make and even though there were bumps in the road I couldn’t be happier that the little picture in my head came to life.
#pottery #krampus #christmas #puppet #art

The next stage the patient waiting for ‘leather hard’ so the underglazes can be applied. I tend to brush and sponge and I love this part, as I feel it’s when I see my characters come to life! Can’t wait for Krampus to put together. #clay #pottery #krampus #krampusnacht #christmastime

Krampus number two coming! Yes, second attempt! My heart broke last week when my first Krampus over fired in the kiln. I used a stoneware clay with a high iron content with underglazes and it just didn’t like 1260 degrees. This time round he will undergo a lower firing temperature to earthenware! There’s no better feeling with clay when it works beautifully, but the side that isn’t seen that much is the trial and error. Clay never stops me learning that’s for sure. The design is slightly different to the first one too! More Krampus to follow…
#clay #glazing #krampus #christmas #puppet

A wonderful day @oxfordshirearts full of pots that had every colour of the rainbow 🌈 for a copper matte workshop. Lots of happy students and lots of gorgeous pieces. #clay #pottery #ceramics #art #creative #colours #rainbow #oxfordshire

Porcelain ‘King rat’ at your service! First sculpture with porcelain for this one! Photographed in my allotment! #clay #porcelain #scuplture #pottery

Good luck to the beautiful ‘Mothew’ who I found last August whilst chopping trees. After some research it seemed the safest thing was to keep all my fingers and toes crossed I could keep him well until his release. Well tonight was the night he has gone on his last adventure. Mothew is a Privet Hawk moth and our largest here in the UK. What a beautiful beast he is 🤩 #nature #moth #night

@oxfordshireartweeks We are open for Artweeks at The Blue Boar Witney venue 420, part of the Witney trail with lots of amazing artists. Open from today until Monday 26th. I’ll be here today and the whole of bank holiday weekend. @blue_boar_witney_artsweek

Apple 🍎 Tree Man! I’ve made a few of these chaps now, but not this small and they are so cute! These will be @oxfordshireartweeks @blue_boar_witney_artsweek #clay #pottery #ceramics #creative #folklore #stories #apple #cider #appletree #nature #naturelover

My first hand painted plates complete all inspired by one of my favourite films Coraline. There is certainly a Christmas feel to these and they have already had a selection of festive foods on.
@laikastudios #laika #coraline #clay #pottery #handmade #artist #mice #circus #christmas #christmasdecor

The day of Samhain is here! Spirits can freely wonder, so maybe open up your door to a few…. #halloween #clay #art #pumpkin #nature #stories

It’s nearly time for Halloween 🎃 you can already feel the thin air as summer is over. Pumpkin devil matches the colour of the autumn 🍂 leaves. #clay #nature #art #creative #naturelovers #halloween

Bat in vest joining in today!
#clay #pottery #bat #pumpkin #halloween #naturelovers

Pumpkin devil relaxing during his favourite time of the year #halloween #nature #relaxing #fire #pottery #pumpkin

Spooky 👻 season wouldn’t be on without some porcelain flying cat ghosts. I’m not sure if Peter is impressed? #halloween #halloweendecor #clay #ceramics #catsofinstagram #spooky

Here are my most recent Raku fired pumpkins 🎃 photographed on my allotment. This is full circle as the two smaller pumpkins were casts I made of one from last year’s crop. The big pumpkin is all hand built and was fun making that twisted stalk. The best thing about Raku is that you never know what you’re going to get when you’re playing with the fire.

#pottery #ceramics #clay #art #nature #veg #allotment #pumpkin #halloween

Cute little ceramic cat bottles. These came from creative play when turning my brain off and thinking about my next make. I actually really love them and may make more of these unexpected cats.

#pottery #clay #cat #creative #mindfulness

The best thing about clay is that it takes over and allows you to play. Time ticks away, and what begins with an idea in my head then goes to paper then to clay. This will hopefully be a little tester for a bigger piece at some point that will go in my home on a wall with perhaps some fish swimming around. Cormorants have always made me smile, from watching them fish in China on a holiday to watching them airing out their wings when I drive past them daily on the Thames.

#clay #ceramics #art #play #creative #mindfulness #birds #birdsofinstagram #nature #naturelovers #river #thames #oxfordshire #drawing #watercolours #sketch #weekend

A raku banana 🍌 of course!

#pottery #ceramics #clay #banana #foodporn #art #creative #raku #fruits

A little last minute sticking for my little clay and lino print cards that will be available tomorrow.

@oxfordshireartweeks

#print #linocut #ink #blue #clay #art #fun #characterdesign #oxfordshireartweeks #exhibition #claycollective #face #toad #mushrooms #nature #naturelovers

A day of fire 🔥 to make this spring themed Forest Folk head! I love raku as you never really know what you're going to get! Thanks @oxfordshirearts for a wonderful time as always! This new lady will be at @oxfordshireartweeks in May.

#pottery #clay #raku #ceramics #art #nature #fire

A little spring themed Forest Folk Bell 🔔 ready for its first firing. It seems silly to say as I'm sat by the fire in spring, but it will come! The plan is for these funny looking legs to dangle from the inside of the dome when complete.

#wip #clay #pottery #ceramics #underglaze #forestfolk #nature #spring

Some texture close ups! I love the wrinkles of bark on this large Apple 🍎 Tree 🌳 Man 👨

Based on the folklore story of Wassailing 'the spirit of the orchard'. The Apple Tree Man lives in the oldest tree, so we Wassail that tree by singing to it and giving it a drink of cider. In return, the following harvest has the most wonderful apples 🍎

#pottery #clay #ceramics #apples #naturelovers #trees #folklore #stories

An early rise to get this make going today. Even though the rain keeps coming, there are lovely signs of spring in the air. That of course needs to be celebrated through the form of a Forest Folk flower 🌼 head!
#clay #pottery #wip #art #spring #flowers #forest #forestfolk #terracotta #scarva #oxfordshireartweeks

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