This interpretation of the Thinking Hands method was developed during the Snail Stories project and initially had a very different intention. The goal was to explore the sensorial, non–verbal communication of snails. It soon became clear that this method held great potential. Through the shared, tactile shaping of clay, an unpredictable co–creation emerges, creating a unique emotional space. It almost feels as barriers of exchange dissolve, and a sense of trust begins to form. Participants are close without needing to touch, shaping together without full control — a visual, three-dimensional, tangible reflection of spoken dialogue. In the end, once hardened and fired, the clay object becomes a manifestation of this sensory, maybe even sensual, exchange.

This tool has increasingly become a valuable asset in Miriam's professional environments. For instance, it was utilized during field research at MakerSpace Leiden, where diverse conversations took place and deep insights were shared.