Tealight Luminaries

In this workshop, we’re creating a hand-built clay luminary house — a tiny home designed to glow beautifully with a tealight inside.

Whether you want to recreate a childhood home, make a little beach shack or create a whimsical fairy house, this is a calming and creative project that’s all about having fun with clay and making something personal.

You’ll start by shaping a solid block of clay into your chosen house form before learning how to hollow out the inside safely. We’ll then refine the shape, create windows and doors, and add all those little details that bring your house to life.

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to get creative with textures, patterns and decorative details, using tools and even found objects to personalise your piece. You can keep your house neat and symmetrical, or embrace a more wonky and charming character.

We’ll also cover how to smooth and refine your piece, check that your tealight fits comfortably inside, and prepare your luminary for drying and firing.

This workshop is perfect for beginners and makers of all ages, and is a lovely project for creating a meaningful decorative piece that you can enjoy again and again.

What you'll learn

• How to choose and shape a basic house form from a block of clay
• How to hollow out your piece safely for firing
• How to refine the outside shape and create different roof styles
• How to cut windows and doors through your clay walls
• How to support and work around delicate openings
• How to add textures, patterns and decorative details
• How to personalise your luminary with signs, names and other details
• Techniques for smoothing and refining your piece
• How to check your luminary is suitable for a tealight
• How to prepare your piece for drying and firing