Big Things Come in Small Packages: Our Small Worlds Challenge
- Natasha Human
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
This term, our studio has shrunk — in the best possible way. We set our students the "small worlds" challenge, and watching everyone dive into their own tiny universes has been an absolute joy.
A Plethora of Tiny Things
Our shelves have been filling up with miniatures of every kind — handbuilt, wheel thrown, and now the first fine decorations are starting to appear. Some pieces are cute, some are quietly meaningful, and some just pull you right in and make you wonder about the story behind them. That's the magic of small worlds: there's a lot packed into a little space. The Wheel Throwing Challenge
If you think small means easy, try keeping a tiny vessel balanced on a hump of clay. It is not easy. Our wheel throwers have been genuinely tested this term — but they've persevered, and the results have been wonderfully whimsical. There's something special about a miniature pot that carries all the character of a full-sized one.
Behind the Scenes: Packing, Tracking, and (Lots of) Trips to the Kiln
Small pieces come with a big logistical challenge. Keeping track of dozens of tiny works as they move through the studio — and packing them safely into the kiln — has kept our team on our toes. But every unique little piece that comes out the other side makes the extra back-and-forth worth it.
A couple of friendly reminders if you're working on your own small world piece:
Take photos of your work as you go — it helps everyone keep track of progress (and gives you a lovely record of how your piece evolved).
Pop a small name tag somewhere on your piece so we can help reunite you with it.
Making a whole collection of tiny things? Load them onto a cookie (a flat clay slab) so they can go into the kiln together in one trip.
What's Next: Decorating
With so many pieces now through their first firing, we're looking forward to the decorating stage next — this is where these small worlds really start to come to life. Glazes, fine detail work, and all the little touches that turn a miniature form into a tiny story.
The Prize
The winner of the Small Worlds challenge will take home a R500 voucher for our new Clay Corner store, to spend on any glazes, tools, or clay of their choice.
Calling All Judges
We're still on the hunt for a great miniature judge to help us crown a winner — someone with a sharp eye for detail and a soft spot for tiny things. Watch this space, we'll be setting a date for the judging event soon!
Keep those small worlds coming — we can't wait to see where the decorating stage takes them.
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