Handmade Tile Association Newsletter

December
2013

Our 14th Year

Saturn Ring Swing by Josh Blanc

As we finish this year, there is a sense of renewal coming, just around the corner. 2013 was a year of endings with two big ones: the Minnesota Tile Festival and of the old website. As we shed these layers of our development, we can begin to embrace future opportunities.

HTA has a strong membership and a devoted following of tile people throughout the country. Our organization is well-established, respected and has lots of opportunities to make inroads with other organizations. The print directory still generates resonance with designers, architects, trade groups, the general public and other artists. We have many challenges ahead but we are renewing our resources and connections to make the next developmental leap. We hope that you remain committed to HTA and will engage with new enthusiasm and ideas in 2014. Thank you for all of your hard work and support over the past 14 years. Our best years are yet to come!

In This Issue

New Website

Board and 2014 cover vote.

Minneapolis/St.Paul Home Tour

Spotlight on Artist Schedule

New Website

The new www.handmadetileassociation.org website is finally live! We have been working on it for over a year. It is streamlined and simpler to navigate. Organizationally the ne

House on the Hill Studio

w website allows us to update the website from anywhere. The old one was built on a program that had to be update from only one computer. Check out the rotating banner on the top of each page. Send us your tiles to be part of the banner rotation!

Please check your links and tell us if they are working. You might have links in many spots so go through the website to make sure they all work. Contact Josh if they don't.

Our news, events, classes and workshops will now filter more regularly. We can enter them in way in advance and they will pop up daily news. Do you know your schedule for your shows and events for 2014? If so send them to us and we can get them in the rotation.

People can now download the directory right on the site. People can still order the paper version but now they can see the directory instantly now.

We are looking for more tile people to write articles to help the public and the trade better understand the process and knowledge of handmade tile. Topics to consider to write about.

1. What color grout to you recommend?

2. How to make a plaster mold.

3. What makes a tile exterior grade?

4. What is thin set mortar?

5. How does a kiln work?

6. What is the difference between ceramic and porcelain?

7. Do you have a historic tile building near you? If so shoot some photos and research it then share with the organization.

These are just some to consider. We are looking for any ideas or concepts you believe would help our audience better understand the handmade tile world. Contact Josh@handmadetileassociation.org

Board and 2014 cover vote

Vote for the 2104 cover

The board and 2104 cover vote is coming shortly. Please take a few moments to vote for next years cover (Must be a Member). Vote for our board members

Jan Hohn,

Roger Mayland

Norma Hanlon,

Laura McCaul,

Christine Nelson,

Josh Blanc

Our board is made up of tile artists, designers and tile setters. We try to get a broad selection of voices from city to country folk to have the best discussion of the overall community.

The annual cover is always an image of a historic tile from around the United States. The Tile Heritage Foundation provides us with lots of beautiful handmade tiles from our past to highlight. It showcases how timeless handmade tiles are. Every year people comment and tell us the photos on the front always intrigue them to pick up a copy. There is a short history of the tile in page four to read more about our tile history.

Minneapolis/St.Paul Home Tour

Minneapolis/St.Paul H

ome tour is going to collaborate with the Handmade Tile Association members in 2014. Last year we did an ad trade with the tour and have made plans for 2014 to do the same. The tour had a number of handmade tile sites. The Handmade Tile Association was allowed to have our directories in the homes and to be present.

For 2014 Margo is asking if Handmade Tile Association artists would be more engaged helping the tour find more homes and staffing the sites where your work would be featured. You would be able to hand out HTA directories and your literature as well as talk to the visitors. All for free. Interested? Contact Margo Ashmore and she will fill you in on the details. Click to the website

2014 tour dates:

Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, April 27, 1-5 p.m.

Your home could be on the 2014 Tour list! Whether you're a homeowner or a professional who worked on a home, click on "submit a home" and follow the instructions. There are downloadable forms that can be emailed in, or use the online submission prompts. We will start viewing homes in November, and we need the bulk of the nominations by January 15, 2014. After that date, we still accept nominations that fill in what's missing.

Thank You Advertisers and Members!!!

Thank you to all of the advertisers and members for being part of the 2014 Handmade Tile Association directory. With out you there would not be a Handmade Tile Association. The directory started in 1999 and was a hit even before the first printing. People from around the country were contacting us asking for a copy. The directory moved to a full color version by 2001 and was a first of its kind to showcasing handmade tile artists in the way it does. It has grown from a band of 12 artists to showcasing over 60 businesses and artists. We distribute 10,000 directories annually all over the county. Thanks we could not have done it with out you!

Sincerely,

Josh Blanc

Handmade Tile Association, LLC

Quick Links! Check out all the new info...

Spotlight on artists for 2013...
If you are next,

gather any new images, information or news you would like to be highlighted. Send them to the HTA by the first of your month.

December

Our Creative Outlet.llc

House on the Hill
Timeless Tile

Welcome New and Renewing Membership

Business Member

SOMI Tileworks

Kerber Tile

Martha Coursey Mosaic Tile Works

House on the Hill

Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware

Mosaic on a Stick, llc

Sheryl Tuorila

Super Member

Continental Clay

Edina Art Center

Silver City Clay Festival

Woodland Stoves & Fireplaces

Moravian Pottery and Tile Works

Twin Cities Bungalow Club

Pewabic Pottery

Clay Squared to Infinity

Volunteers needed!

Looking to get involved in making the Handmade Tile Association better? We will need some people to help us with a variety of projects from office work, writing, social media helpers, distribution of directories. If you are Interested? Click here to help.

Get your 5 hours in and save money on your advertising!

5 Hours button

Thank you to the

Sponsors

of the Handmade Tile Association

Advertiser