Welcome to the February 2014 spotlight on Handmade Tile Association artists. We feature three tile artists every month, plus links and resources (at right) to many of the tile events, gallery shows, and workshops featured around the country.
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Weaver Tile
Scott Weaver
Horton, Michigan
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Scott Weaver started out as a stonemason, but became a potter through courses at Pewabic Pottery in Detroit. His studio is in an old barn he disassembled and rebuilt, saving not only the barn but the materials that would have been used for new construction. His studio and home are located on a wetland, providing him with botanical sources for his tiles. He was featured in an article that talks about his love of nature in Bridge Magazine, 2003.
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Children's Theme Fireplace
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This fireplace incorporates 6 x 6" and 6 x 12" decorative tiles from his Children Series and raised edge field tiles in 2 x 2", 3 x 6" and 6 x 6" sizes. The high fire tiles are hand pressed in molds that are made from original sculpted works he makes himself.
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"Hops," from the Garden Series, 8 x 12"
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Most of the glazes have a matte finish. All are hand mixed and the tiles hand dipped. Due to this process (and the differences in mined materials) color variations occur. Finished tiles are approximately 1/2" thick.
His tiles are in many galleries in Michigan and across the US and have been sold overseas to customers in Japan, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Whether you are looking for a custom designed fireplace surround or a decorative accent for your kitchen or bath, Weaver Tile will work with you to give your home a distinctive and inviting look that you will be proud of for years to come.
- Contact Info -
Weaver Tile
12000 Sutfin Road, Horton, MI 49246
(517) 529-4621
http://www.weavertile.com
Email: scott@weavertile.com
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Cirrelda's Tiles / La Alameda Press |
Cirrelda Snider-Bryan is a Tulsa-born, Albuquerque-bred tile artist. She currently teaches half-time at the Natural History Museum in Albuquerque. She makes indoor and outdoor tiles, house numbers, "clases de clay," and "Mud Head" pizza ovens.  | |
A new pizza oven sports a Tile "Conjunto"
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Conjunto means "grouping" in Spanish. As you can see, it makes a colorful focal point on a traditional pizza oven.
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Tile Conjunto
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For more about these tiles in process, see Cirrelda's blog: Color of Sand.
Below is "Winter Crows," made from a Hi-Fire Clay, safe for outdoor installation from rain and sun exposure; it's dishwasher safe, ovenproof, with a non-toxic glaze, made from "Ochre" cone 6 clay (a tan-gray-colored clay body). Most tiles come with a screw-size hole in each corner. Thus they can be hung without the use of thinset. Each tile is roughly 6 inches square and can be incorporated into wall tile layouts with standard tile sizes.
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Winter Crows
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See more images of Cirrelda at work and find her house numbers at her online Etsy shop site.
- Contact -
La Alameda Press / Cirrelda's Tiles
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Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware
Earlysville, Virginia
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Suzanne Crane is a tile maker and potter who has been showing and selling her work in Virginia since 1997, when she and her husband opened Mud Dauber Pottery, offering studio space for her work and up to three other potters.
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These tiles feature an amber with oxide points & black trim; the botanical specimens vary seasonally. All pieces are available in several glaze and trim combinations. All are food, oven, and dishwasher safe.
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WoodMode Oak Park kitchen, photo by WoodMode
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Suzanne would like to share with other tile artisans that she's had good success advertising her tile work in both Arts and Crafts Homes, Revival magazines, and in Old House Journal. She says their readers understand handmade tile so it's worth taking out a 1/9th to a 1/4 page ad now and again. If anybody decides to, she suggests contacting Danielle Small as she's easy to work with. She understands what small businesses can afford and sometimes is able to offer remainders. (Tell Danielle that Suzanne sent you; she'll be thrilled!)
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Installation in the showroom of Functional Sculpture
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Suzanne will be showing all of her work, both tiles and wheel-thrown stoneware, at the February wholesale/retail American Craft Council Baltimore show, and at the ACC Atlanta show in March. For more information check out 2014 American Craft Council Shows.
- Contact -
Suzanne Crane Fine Stoneware
4225 Earlysville Road
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Did these artists spark your interest for your tile project or tile collection? If so, contact them to let them know what you like about their work. Sign up for their mailing lists and/or social media. One of the best ways to support handmade tile is to share your favorite tile artists with friends and colleagues. Be a tile maven and help spread the word!
Sincerely, 
Josh Blanc
Handmade Tile Association, LLC
www.handmadetileassociation.org
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