Laura Ponting studied at the University of Wales, Swansea where she gained a BA (Hons) in Politics, after which she went to Bristol University gaining a MSc in International Relations.

She trained with Melvyn Firmager RPT, but otherwise is self-taught. She began wood-turning professionally in March 1997 with the aid of a grant from the Enterprise Allowance scheme. In May 2000 Laura Ponting became the first female dedicated bowl-maker to be accepted onto the Register of the Worshipful Company of Turners as a registered Professional Turner.