Treasure Hunt!

Last week we set aside a day to go treasure hunting, which for us is something that makes us say #ilovemyjob. It is so much fun searching out unique items that need a bit of attention and then bringing them back to our studio where we reimagine them into colorful works of art enhanced with our handmade ceramic tiles and semiprecious gemstones.

We create a lot of pieces which are purely decorative in nature, but we also create pieces which are beautiful as well as functional such as entryway coat hangers, mounted key hooks, little jewelry cabinets, shelves, colorful wall brackets, ceramic mosaic side tables, and pottery enhanced mirrors. Oftentimes some of our favorite projects are brought to us by our friends and customers such as this Michigan party barn hutch or this custom cabinet for one of our artist friends or this embellishment of a travel keepsake from Mexico.

If one of the items in the photo speaks to you, please let us know and we can work together to transform it in to a special piece to fit your needs! In the meantime we will be working away and you can check back in our online etsy shop to see some of our new work.

Travel Treasure from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Upon their travels to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, our clients purchased the then unadorned cutting board for their Louisville area historic home.  They asked us if we could embellish it with one of our handmade ceramic mosaic tiles.  Shown here hanging in their home, this is the end result.  We presented them several sketched ideas, they selected one, and off we went carving in clay. 

The long piece in the photo they purchased from us at a show.   It is a vintage Turkish dough riser which we repurposed into this one of a kind rustic wall art piece.  We love how they look together and feel right at home in this elegant Kentucky kitchen.  Please contact us if you have a custom project you would like to discuss. See similar items in our Global Folk series here>>

Ironically enough, during her time at DePauw University, Clare spent a winter term in San Miguel de Allende where she took a batik class and a jewelry class.  She stayed with a family in a home which had a beautiful courtyard and is looking forward to visiting this colorful colonial city again soon!

Custom Cabinet for Fellow Artist

We created this handmade tile embellished cabinet for a fellow-artist and friend, Sharon Tesser.  She gave us the approximate dimensions, we found this cabinet on one of our journeys, sketched up some ideas, and after Sharon’s approval got to work!  She uses it in her studio to store her supplies.  We are so honored to be asked to create a piece for her.  Please have a look at her amazing original fabric collage wall art, scarves, and pillows at https://sharontesser.com/

We had fun with the window view of the cheerful birds on the whimsical tree branches.  Each tile here started by hand carving slab stoneware clay and after its final raku firing is mosaiced with semiprecious stones and grout. Here we used cultured pearls, magnasite, coral, jade, and others.  Please contact us if you have a project you would like to discuss.

Repurposed Vintage Indian Teak Shutters

What a beautiful day today!  We’ve got a breeze blowing through the studio and the birds are whistling while we work!  #ilovemyjob  As we are doing a little rearranging, we set these repurposed shutters outside the studio door. Made a nice pic, we think!

Besides placing these on either side of a window, we find that a lot of customers like to use these in to soften the look of a large flatscreen tv wall.  They also make a great focal point at the end of a hallway.  And we have had several customers use them outside on covered porches. Also great for a bathroom.

We refreshed this set of vintage Indian teak shutters with our hand carved stoneware clay tile mosaics. We are inspired by ethnic patterns and have included some of our favorites here.  Some of the semiprecious stones included in these pieces are cultured pearl, amethyst, jade, magnesite and coral.  Overall Dimensions: 11” x 47” each or put together 22” x 47” They are a one of a kind set. Find them here>>

Peacock Pair Mosaic Wall Art in Repurposed Vintage Frame

Fortunately we had a pretty day yesterday and snapped a shot of “Peacock Pair” just outside our studio.  This handcarved stoneware clay tile mosaic piece we show here is actually made up of several tiles (we carve the slab clay and then cut into separate tiles) and then the tiles are set into one of our “finds,” a repurposed vintage frame that we painted black.  Semiprecious stones included in this mosaic are cultured pearl, amethyst, jade, magnesite and coral.  This is a statement piece.  Overall Dimensions: 29.5” x 29.5” x 2.5”

You can find it (and more!) in our booth at Cincinnati’s Summerfair this weekend, May 31-June 2!  Shop early for best selection!

Colorful Pottery Wall Art Entryway Coat Hook

We love the joyful feel of bright colors. We are often asked how we get such bright colors.  Our palette of glazes and underglazes consists of 13 colors, but since we layer these colors, the number and depths of the colors are multiplied. After glazing we raku fire the tiles which usually adds a bit of iridescence and some unexpected personality.

This repurposed vintage trim wall shelf features a set of our colorful handmade clay tile mosaics in varying patterns of dots, vine, suzani, etc. We add semiprecious stones into the tiles to add a little more sparkle and texture.  With the set of repurposed vintage coat hooks, it’s what we like to call functional wall art.  We think it would look great in a mudroom or entryway. Find it here>>