In conversation with Mike, Kiln Share creator

Mike - Kiln Share creator and hobby potter

I asked Mike from Kiln Share to answer my questions and am so pleased he said yes! I think his website is such a brilliant concept and of course the wonderful ceramics community embraced the idea. It makes being a hobby potter so much more achievable. So please read on and find out more, including the pottery fair he is planning…

Who are you?

Hey, I'm Mike. Digital marketer by day, hobby potter by night! Originally from the south of England, I now live in the Scottish Highlands. The scenery is dramatic whatever the weather and although it's a very long drive down to see family there's something special about living up here! I've always enjoyed making things with pixels but spending lots of time in front of a screen has given me a new appreciation for the value of making physical things with clay - especially those everyday pottery pieces that you come to cherish.  

Why do you also have a thing with ceramics?

I've always been the type of person who loves to start side projects to get creative and develop my professional skills. After having great fun community firing during a beginners pottery course and subsequently having no luck finding local kiln space to hire to fire my home creations, I built kilnshare.com - the world's largest (and best!) kiln rental platform. Now in its 4th year, it's a side project that's combined two of my favourite hobbies and it's not stopped growing! With kilns to rent in over 40+ countries and tens of thousands of visitors every month, Kiln Share has become the 'Airbnb' for beginners and professionals alike to rent kiln space locally near them. As Kiln Share has grown, I've kept the platform free to use to help keep ceramics accessible for all around the world as not every potter needs to own their own kiln. I really enjoy receiving messages from potters who have been able to start making ceramics thanks to hiring local kiln space who then go on to buy their own kiln which they then list on the platform to earn extra income!

Kiln Share find a kiln map - currently 1043!

When did ceramics come into your life?

It was back in 2020, during the pandemic lockdown, when I had my first chance to play with clay. Spending so much time at home looking for activities resulted in a few bags of air-dry clay being ordered. As restrictions eased, I booked a beginners pottery course at a local studio to try throwing on a wheel and raku firing which I really enjoyed! It was this experience that ultimately led me to create kilnshare.com. At home, although very limited on space, I've managed to create a tiny studio under the stairs and now hire a kiln just down the road when I need to fire my very amateur creations! 

Mike’s tiny studio under the stairs! His partner calls it the 'Harry Potter cupboard'

Firing a kiln together during Beginners Pottery Course

Where can we find you on a typical day?

Most weekdays, you'll usually find me sitting at a desk working away. Whether that be for the day job or keeping things running smoothly on kilnshare.com. I balance this time indoors with as much road cycling as I can during the evenings and weekends. Like ceramics, I've only recently found cycling as a hobby too. It's the best way to get to know your local area, see the changing scenery and get active. Riding with a local club has helped to make new friends in the community and I've even made some cycling inspired pottery this year using my old bike chain to create medallions for a commemorative ride. 

Cycling near Skye in the Scottish Highlands

What are your plans for the future?

I'm currently in the middle of rebuilding Kiln Share's technical foundations to set the platform up for more growth! I'm most excited about translating kilnshare.com into multiple languages to support kiln owners and potters around the world. After visiting lots of wonderful local markers and ceramic artists around the Scottish Highlands over the last few years, in October 2025 I'm also organising the very first Highland Pottery Fair in the heart of Inverness (sponsored by Kiln Share of course!). Exhibitors' stalls sold out quickly which is always a good sign - now begins the hard task of promoting the event in the local area to generate decent footfall!