About

Since 2004, the mission of Emu Tile has been to produce beautiful, durable art tile by hand. 

  This small but mighty studio has just one employee:

Emily Margaret Ulm is the full-time tile designer and maker. She studied ceramics and sculpture at the University of Akron (BFA, Sculpture, 2003). After graduation, she briefly toyed with the idea of going into art education, then surprised friends and family by announcing her intention to start a handmade tile company. As a career path, it appealed to her love of nature, passion for craft, and interest in home improvement. When she got married and changed her last name from Wilson to Ulm, her initials became E.M.U., which is how the business got the name "Emu Tile." Her husband, Darrell, never doubted the company would be a success.

Emily makes every tile in her studio in the basement of the house she shares with Darrell in Kent, Ohio. In addition to designing and manufacturing the tiles, she is the customer service and shipping department. Darrell has another job, but he built this website and helps with technical support as needed. 

When Emily is not working, she enjoys cooking, biking, and playing board games. She also loves to swim. Fortunately, northeast Ohio is home to many wonderful lakes.

Want to know more? Here are some selected blog posts from over the years that can tell you a bit more about the origin of, and philosophy behind the labor of love that is Emu Tile LLC:

Emu Tiles are Featured in "Handmade Tiles: Creative Techniques," a new book by Marion Brandis 1/26/2025

An interview on the "Kent in Good Company" Podcast 3/7/2024

It's an Honor to be Here: Ohio Nature Artists in their Natural State 10/10/2023

An interview on "New Day Cleveland" 11/19/2022

Bailey Pottery Interviewed me about my work! 6/7/2022

A chimney swift tower here in Kent, Ohio 11/21/2021  

"Hello, 2021!" (1/1/2021)

"Our new website has launched" (11/2/2016)

"The first tiles I ever made," (1/6/2015)

"Announcing EmuTile.com Mark 4 + Fun With Internet Archaeology"  (9/22/2013)

"Just lucky, I guess.." (5/7/2012)