I have been having far too much fin with my little mini microwave kiln. That thing has been put through the ringer over the past month! It’s absolutely given me a kick in the creative pants. I’m completely and totally enamored.

My latest completed pieces are a slew of little clay houses.

Here they are freshly made. Once completely dry they’re popped into the kiln for their first firing.

Here they are after their first firing and with glaze drying. They look dull and muted, but once they’re fired again, the colours come to life and they have a glossy finish.

I mean, how cute are these finished fellas?! It’s magic.

Handmade from white earthenware clay, bisque fired, glazed, then fired again for a shiny finish.

I’ve learned soooo much while making these.

Each of their imperfections is a lesson learned.

How much glaze to apply. How to achieve a flat edge. How to properly affix those little chimneys. How long to fire. How… how… how… So many variables to figure out!

And while the next batch will absolutely be closer to ‘perfection’ this big batch of cottages are utterly charming with their dents, wobbles and drips.