Hidden somewhere in Edinburgh you will find a woman making tiny clay houses. Each house has a little heart, moon or cloud hovering above them. The artist's name is Leamne and we absolutely love her wee homes, tiny bothy necklaces and tincy old town tenements. I met Leamne in her Edinburgh studio to chat about her craft and her creative journey.
Tiny House by Leamne.
1. Dear Leamne, how did you find yourself in the world of tiny ceramic miracles?
I started doing ceramics during COVID. My mum is a ceramist, so I learned all the basics from her, some of it unconsciously, just from watching her work as a child. It all came quite naturally. The tiny houses are an expression of my love for city life and traveling. In both my paintings and ceramics, architecture has always been my favourite subject.
Tiny Bothy Necklace by Leamne.
2. What connects you to Edinburgh?
I moved to Edinburgh on a whim after a year of school in the south of England. I had lived in several countries as a child, but Edinburgh was the first place I chose for myself at the age of 19, and it's been my home ever since. Even though I've travelled to other places for work, I’ve always considered it my base. I've also lived here longer than anywhere else.
Leamne in her Edinburgh studio.
3. How do you choose what to make next?
I find that inspiration is often hard to trace. I might have an idea, let it sit, and even forget about it for a while. By the time I come back to it, the idea has evolved and changed on its own. I often jot it down in an unintelligible script, then create a prototype, and keep refining it until the idea becomes something tangible and solid.
Prints by Leamne.
4. What is easy and what do you find hard in running your business?
Well, the easy part is creating—I could spend all day making things with my hands. I'm lucky to be in a creative phase right now (though I do get stuck sometimes too). The hard part is having to stop creating to deal with paperwork, bills, marketing, and all those other boring tasks.
Edinburgh Old Town houses by Leamne
5. Do you see anything new on the horizon?
I don’t have any major new projects this year, except for developing a tiny character I haven’t named yet. He’s a bit like a troll, and either carries a fish or has mushrooms growing on his head. I keep sketching him, but I want to bring him to life in 3D, either in ceramics or through printing. He’s a bit absurd, but I’m excited to see where he goes.
Beautiful Tiny Houses by Leamne.
6. How do you divide your time to connect illustration with your ceramic work?
To be honest, I’ve been neglecting my paintings recently. I went through a bit of a creative crisis at the beginning of the year, so I focused more on ceramics. However, I’m starting to get back into painting again. It’s tough to keep a balance, but I feel blessed to be able to express myself through different mediums.
Beautiful Tiny Houses by Leamne.
7. What gives you inspiration and fuels your creativity?
I try to enjoy the little things in life, even though I sometimes overwork myself. Whether it’s taking a break to watch the clouds or savouring an ice cream, in those moments my mind wanders, imagining tiny people skiing on top of my ice cream. It’s these small moments of daydreaming that really fuel my creativity.
Leamne painting a tiny house by hand.
8. Is there anything you would love to do in near future?
To get some balance in my life .
9. What advice would you have for anyone who is at the beginning of their artistic career?
To be creative, you have to stay true to yourself. When someone makes a living from their art, it can feel like putting your soul out there to be judged, and not everyone will like it. The hardest part is resisting the temptation to constantly change in order to please others.
Leamne in Edinburgh.
10. Who inhabits your tiny ceramic houses?
My tiny houses are home to all kinds of wild spirits—fairies, tiny elves, and goblins.
Leamne's painting of Calton Hill.
11. If you could have a dinner party with anyone past, present or fictional, who would you invite and why?
The Lady in Grey from Sr Daniel Macnee portrait at the national gallery, she has always looked a bit mysterious to me.
Tiny Houses by Leamne.
Tiny Ceramic House Necklace by Leamne.
You can have a look at our collection of Leamne's work here.