Handmade Tile

2019 has been busy so far. I have been making lots of tiles and getting lots of special requests, both for new designs, and for resized versions of my existing designs. Usually when I am busy I say no to these types of requests because it takes quite a bit of time to sculpt a design and pour a new mold, but this year I am trying to push myself to say "yes" more often, because it makes my customers happy, and is good for the business when I expand my line. It is not always possible, but when I...

The heron collection keeps growing because the heron tiles keep shrinking! The original tile (the 4"x8" heron facing left, which has been in production since April 2011) is pictured above next to one of my newest tiles, an adorably tiny 2"x4" interpretation of the same design. I must admit that I am somewhat smitten with this half-size version.  Like all of my heron tiles, this new version is available facing either right or left, or as a set of two tiles facing each other.  Now herons are available in small (2"x4") medium (3"x6) and large (4"x8"). You can see the...

The process of creating these two inch by two inch tiles was very enjoyable, and I am pleased to be able to share the finished products with you now. There are three completely new designs in this set: the "Hawk", the "Bobcat", and the "Bear." The final design, "Napping Cat," was already available in the 3"x3" size. Now I can make it in the 2"x2" size as well. The images below are of glaze colors not shown above, and should link to the new product pages for these tiles. 2"X2" Bobcat tile shown in gray glaze 2"x2" Hawk handmade tile...

These pictures arrived in my inbox in April of last year! Time to share them at long last. This installation was designed and completed by a lovely couple who lives right here in our neighborhood. The wife found some of my tiles at McKay Bricker Gallery in town, then ordered more from me as a Christmas present for her husband, who then used them to help transform a rather plain fireplace surround into a proper hearth. They even added a mantle to display interesting objects and a family photo. Now the fireplace is an artistic focal point in this appealing...

I spent the last day of 2018 packing tiles and feeling grateful. It is an amazing thing for me to have spent another year doing a job that I love, and it would not have been possible without the support I have received from all of you. The fact that people find my little website or see my tiles in a gallery and respond positively to what I am doing has made such a difference in my life. That people are willing to spend their hard-earned money on products that I designed and then make with my hands is truly...

This coming weekend is shaping up to very arty. Seems like there are a zillion events featuring handmade goods happening all over the place. I would like to call your attention to two of them here in Northeast Ohio which will feature my tiles. They both happen to be run by wonderful non-profits. The first is "Gifts from the Heart of Nature," the annual holiday show and fundraiser at the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland, OH. The show will kick off with special events both Friday and Saturday (11/16 and 11/17) that include refreshments and a cash bar. Saturday will also feature...

My goal is to come up with more and more groupings of tiles. It takes some of the guess work out of ordering when you can see the tiles all together, so I have added three new sets to the online store. Pictured above is the 6"x6" Elm with 2" border. Next is the Quartet of 4'x4" Tree handmade tiles in multiple glazes: And last but not least is a pair of 4"x8" herons with a 2" and 3" border: To see more tile sets, click here: https://emutile.com/collections/sets If you have an idea for a grouping of tiles that you don't...

This "new" design was over six years in the making! I first sketched out the idea for it on January 28th of 2012. I know the exact date because right after I drew it, I cheerfully wrote a blog post about it, and then proceeded to forget about it for over four years. (above: picture from 2012) Nothing more happened with the dandelion until the summer of 2016, when normal tile production was stopped for 6 weeks so Darrell and I could make improvements to the studio, and (to a lesser extent) so I could work on some new designs. The improvements...