I have been being very creative over this past weekend . I have finished a couple of projects on knitting and cooking. Now I am in the progress of getting this salty dough plate done.

Yes, can you believe it? A plate made of flour, salt and water, and bake with a microwave oven!…It’s not going to be edible, but it’s going to a lasting, crispy, beautiful, decorative and interesting piece. Also, it probably costs more time than money, and I like the idea of its chemical free material. So you don’t have to worry about the environment.

I initially heard the idea from a website a years ago. I couldn’t even remember what the web was. I liked it but couldn’t go any further until last week I happened to see a book Microwave dough craft : more than 50 original salt dough projects in the library by Alison Jenkins. It is a very inspiring book. What I like about this book is the projects are adult-oriented instead of children-focused. And it has step-by step instruction to teach you how to make beautiful things that you can actually use in your daily life, not just for a nice display without purpose.

I have done many small pieces yesterday such as starfish, seashells, some vegetable figures like spring onion, carrot and chili (see photo), but I actually have a bigger idea of making a oceanic scene in a plate with all the sea creatures for decoration. Now I am half way through, with the baking process all finished. Just need to give some painting work and gluing job to make it all come together. Really looking forward to it!

Now sure how it’s going to turned out, but the fun that the project has offered is huge. Just need to take extra care with using microwave oven. I found it more likely to achieve success with using low power level for a longer period of time than using high power for a short time.