Step inside the studio of Jahday Ford in the UK and discover how the craft of glassblowing is 'crazy cool' and why he believes anyone who has a passion should follow it.

Part of the British Council's Why I Make film series for our global programme, Crafting Futures. Commissioned to celebrate craft and share maker's stories from around the globe; to inspire us and to show the value of craft in our history, culture and world today. From embroidery in Mexico to glassblowing in the UK and batik in Malaysia, find inspiration in the stories and work of these practitioners as they tell us, 'Why I Make'.

We caught up with Jahday after the outbreak of COVID-19, to find out how his practice has been affected and his thoughts for the future, read the interview here. 

How can you get involved? #WhyIMake

Share the film to help celebrate glassblowing and Jahday's work!

We want to hear from you. Share your story if you’re a craft practitioner, or if you’ve taken up a craft; tell us why you make. #WhyIMake 

See the full film series on our YouTube channel here. 

About Jahday Ford

Jahday Ford is a recent graduate from The Manchester School of Art specialising in hot glass and mould design. He brings together traditional glassblowing with digital design and his award-winning project 'Breathe' has been exhibiting in galleries around the UK.

Visit Jahday's website
Find Jahday on Instagram 

Feeling Inspired? 

Find out more about glassblowing on YouTube, from tutorials to finding out how traditional glassblowing is still needed for modern chemistry equipment.

London Glassblowing's website features a range of UK artists working in glass and has its own workshop which offers experience days, which may open up again later in the year. 

The National Glass Centre in Sunderland offers a wealth of resources, exhibitions and courses, we hope it will open up again later this year.

North Lands Creative is a not for profit public access studio supporting makers and admirers a like.