For the past four years, the Handmade Tile Association has  lobbied the MN Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) to add handmade tile as a category to their annual Best of Awards Celebration. This year they accepted our idea!  

Please consider submitting your handmade tile to this competition.  This is an important opportunity for all of us!

"Best Use of Local Artisan Materials"

"Local Artisan Materials" is defined as any one-of-a-kind product or material in a kitchen or bath design that was handcrafted, designed or sourced with materials and/or crafts from the state of Minnesota. This could include: handmade tile or other ceramics, custom glass work, custom metal work, custom cabinetry or other woodwork/materials made from local materials/artisans.

Consideration for this NEW category will require the following:

• A complete design statement,  300 words or less,  emphasizing in detail, how the project came to utilize the Local Artisan Material and the process that was followed to procure the Artisan Material.
• If appropriate, a complete set of BEFORE and AFTER plans and elevations should be included, along with BEFORE and/or AFTER photography to convey the final project.  (See pages 10-13 of this document/pdf for details on required documents). If a complete set of plans and elevations were not used for the Artisan Material, please submit the sketches, working drawings, photos of design concept boards, or photos of the custom piece(s) that were used to convey the custom item(s) to the end user.
• If appropriate, a set of the final drawings for production of the specific Local Artisan Material(s) are also strongly suggested, but not required.
• The name and complete address of the Local Artisan Craftsperson or Material Supplier must also be included with this submission.
• Each entrants must be individual NKBA MN member or an employee of an NKBA MN member firm in good standing as of June 2015.
• Projects submitted must have been completed between June 1, 2013 and June 1, 2015.