- 1). Select a suitable site for the kiln. It needs to be away from any buildings and clear of any vegetation that might catch fire. The ground needs to be well drained and on a slight rise so that the kiln does not get waterlogged.
- 2). Make a circular, flat clay base about 4 to 6 inches thick and 6 to 12 inches wider than the final kiln will be. A suitable kiln diameter would be 3 or 4 feet. The height of the kiln should be approximately 4 to 5 feet.
- 3). While the clay base is still soft, stick a line of willow withies (thin flexible pieces of willow wood used in basket making) in it to form a circle 6 to 12 inches in from the edge. This is the inside edge of the kiln body. The withies should be long enough to form the desired beehive shape by being pulled together at the top. They should be placed 3 or 4 inches apart. Allow the clay to harden.
- 4). Wind other withies horizontally through the vertical withies, weaving an upside-down basket shape in the clay to form the desired beehive shape. Trim off any excess willow. Weave it fairly tightly, as it needs to hold the weight of a lot of clay. Leave an opening near the base that is of sufficient size to get items in and out of. About 6 inches wide and 6 inches high is the smallest that's likely to be useful for most projects.
- 5). Cover the willow basket frame with enough clay to make the structure 3 to 6 inches thick all the way around. Keep the clay smooth and avoid forming any air bubbles. Remember to leave the opening clear of clay. Allow the structure to dry thoroughly. This can take a few days, depending on how warm and dry the weather is.
- 6). Light a small fire in the kiln and leave it to burn out once the clay is thoroughly dry. This will burn away the willow frame and harden the clay further. Wait until the kiln is cool before going to check it. This may take several hours after the fire goes out. If your first fire is not sufficient to fully harden the clay, try another, slightly larger one next time, after the kiln has cooled down properly.
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