This Old House features Cuerda Seca Decoratives
Sep. 30, 2010
- Tile
- Inspiration
- Purchase
-
Our Story
About Us
Community
Manufacturing
Eco-Initiatives
Press
- Commercial
Sep. 29, 2010
Old-world beauty and elegance is something you don’t necessarily have to travel to Italy or Rome to see. Nor do you need to travel to Turkey or to the jeweled-like domed buildings of Saint Petersburg, Russia. In fact, you may be surprised to find that such craft and beauty can be seen right here in the US. In Brasstown, situated in the western part of North Carolina, this old-world beauty and elegance is crafted from the imagination. It is at Bella Vista Tile one can see the most beautiful, elegant, and uniquely crafted tile of today.
Bella Vista Tile was founded in 2003 by artists Lisa and James TeviaClark. All of their tiles are hand-made and painted with wood-ash glazes. The bas-relief designs offer a unique surface appearance and add to the true beauty of each tile.
Some designs are shell-like in appearance,
while others resemble precious jewels.
When you first hold one of these tiles, your eyes widen. You suddenly find yourself examining every bit of its surface-- you’re drawn in by the deep saturation of color, the surface texture, and its jewel-like presence.
I have to admit, I felt like a kid in a candy shop when I first saw this tile. I was lucky enough to have met Lisa and James TeviaClark recently at “Clay Expectations: A Festival of Tiles and Mosaics,” in Oakland, on September 12th. While I was surrounded by beautiful tile from all around, I couldn’t help but continuously glance over to Bella Vista Tile’s tile display. I would walk over, look at all the tiles, pick one up, and be anxious to see more.
Lisa and James were more than sweet. They told me about their lives as artists and the creation of Bella Vista Tile. They have traveled all over the United States, and their tiles are exhibited in showrooms-- from east coast to west. You may find a complete listing of showrooms hosting Bella Vista Tile on the company’s website, http://www.bellavistatile.com. It is here that you may also find the TeviaClark’s biography and gallery photographs.
As always, here at Fireclay Tile, we are pleased meet any great tile artist. It was a pleasure meeting you, Lisa and James.
We love your work!
Sep. 27, 2010
There’s nothing better to come across than a great piece of art-- art that is calming and reminds you of home. From bird houses, to sculptures, to little mouse card holders, the collection from Janet Ontko Clay Forms will draw you in and charm your hearts. Fireclay Tile was very blessed to have met Janet Ontko recently at “Clay Expectations: A Festival of Tiles and Mosaics,” which was held on September 12th, in downtown Oakland. We had neighboring tables at this event, and upon meeting, became very good friends.
Janet Ontko started Janet Ontko Clay Forms in 1995, and for the past fifteen years, she has showcased her work in wholesale and retail shows across America. Her work can be seen in galleries and museums throughout the US and Japan. She has won numerous awards for her work and has been published in both magazine and newspaper print. In addition, Janet’s tiles have been featured on the set of “Martha Stewart Living.”
Janet’s inspiration for her work comes from a combination of natural forms and vintage ceramics. She enjoys interpreting nature in a creative way and develops her work for the home and garden. She has done both commercial and civic projects as well. Janet opens her studio to the public twice a year to showcase new designs, and her studio is open by appointment throughout the year.
.JPG)
.JPG)
You can see all of Janet’s work and visit her online store at http://www.janetontko.com. As always, we are pleased to meet any great tile artist. We are very happy to have met Janet Ontko, and we wish her the very best of luck in her future tile making!
Note: This is a 3-part blog that includes insights into three other ceramicists we loved meeting at the Clay Expectations Event in Oakland.
Sep. 23, 2010
design specialistI can’t tell you how many times I’ve helped customers in the showroom that want to use our Debris Series Recycled Tile and Vitrail Series Handmade Tile colors together. It happens so often because when you come into our San JoseFactory Showroom and you make it back to the hallway of colors, its quite overwhelming. Most people get so excited at their choices of 224 different colors and what they don’t realize, unless they’ve already been told, is that the left side of the hallway is Vitrail and the other side is Debris. So they pick out all of their colors and ask for design help. Oops...now they are dead set on using these colors.
So first off, our Debris and Vitrail clay bodies are different sizes which can put a kink in your design. The reason for the different sizes is simply because the Debris Series tiles contain recycled post consumer glass and when they are fired the glass expands, thus causing the clay body to expand. So the Debris Series tiles tend to be a tad larger. So my suggestions are always to use either the Vitrail or the Debris for the field and to use the other for the decorative element in your design in a different size. Then, take your color selections home and look at them in the lighting they will be going in because as you can see, the colors give a different feel in different lighting.
Debris Series - Merlot, Debris Series - Peabody, Debris Seires - Lichen and Vitrail Series - Tarragon
When you’ve narrowed down the colors, pick out a few decorative pieces to finish off your design. As you can see in the picture the boldness of Debris colors compliment the high crackle beauty of the Vitrail colors.
So now you’ve incorporated both clay bodies, have a beautiful “green” design as your backsplash and you still got to use the colors you LOVED! So be creative with our tiles and if you need help with that, then you can turn to us color specialists here at Fireclay Tile and we’ll help you design a timeless backsplash using all of your ideas.
Sep. 15, 2010
San Jose, CA (PRWEB) September 15, 2010 -- Fireclay Tile, the U.S manufacturing company that has brought superior quality, innovation and sustainability to the tile industry for the past 24 years, is pleased to announce its newest tile collection, Claymonde. Fireclay Tile's Claymonde are exquisite sheets of ceramic color, developed through a proprietary ceramic rolling process that allows Claymonde to be ultra thin yet also a durable, futuristic, lightweight, straight-edged large format wall tile. The ceramic sheet rolling method makes the tiles close to perfectly flat (~1/4" thick), while the ceramic fiber in the clay body provides some flexibility to the tile so that they can be pressed up against a flat wall surface. Fireclay hand glazes all colored pieces with its natural, lead free glazes.
Claymonde Kitchen Backsplash Installation
Careful craftsmanship and sustainable manufacturing practices go into the glazing of the Claymonde tiles in Fireclay's day-lit, open air factory in Northern California. The glazes are made in-house and are lead free. All glaze over-spray is collected and recycled - any waste they do produce is inert and non-hazardous, as are the tiles themselves. The Claymonde glazing process is designed to minimize variation, thus enhancing the contemporary look of the product. Claymonde is now available in fourteen standard glaze colors with a sleek gloss finish that creates a shiny, semi-reflective sheen. Custom colors can also be created for larger projects. Claymonde is available in two standard sizes - 53⁄4 x 351⁄4" and 11 11/16" x 351⁄4" - and custom sizes up to 3'x6' are available for orders over 600 square feet.
_268_177.jpg)
"When I first saw the clay body I loved the large-size, ultra-thin ceramic form factor," said Paul Burns, Fireclay's Founder and Chief Ceramicist. "What it was missing, though, were vibrant colors that fit today's modern, contemporary market. We created a refined palette that so far has been extremely well received on both the east and west coast."
Claymonde is designed for both interior and exterior applications, and it is ideal for wall applications in commercial, residential, retail, and hospitality settings. So far Claymonde has been used on grocery store ceilings and walls, in restaurants on the exterior and interior, in residential bathrooms and kitchen walls, on fireplace surrounds, and in outdoor kitchens and mosaic designs.
For more information please visit the Fireclay Tile website.
About Fireclay Tile: Founded in 1986 by its Chief Ceramicist, Paul Burns, Fireclay Tile makes the highest quality, most durable and aesthetic hand-made ceramic materials using “old world” methods that are unique, affordable, and “green.” The company is based in San Jose, CA where it manufactures and sells its products including Debris Series Recycled Tile, Vitrail Series Handmade Tile, Claymonde Ceramic Sheets, and Express Series Quickship Tile. Since inception, the company has been at the forefront of innovation in the ceramic industry, and today the company is proud to be sold nationally in over 130 tile and eco-friendly showrooms and be used by some of the most well respected brands including Whole Foods Markets. In addition, all products are LEED compliant and contribute to LEED's construction credits. Fireclay Tile’s up-cycling and manufacturing efforts are also being supported by a grant awarded by the California Department of Conservation. Fireclay Tile aims to be a triple- bottom line company and ensure we take the environment into account in every decision we make and offer all of our employees a fare wage and benefits. To learn more about Fireclay Tile, please visit the company at www.fireclaytile.com.
Sep. 14, 2010
This past weekend, Fireclay Tile participated in what only could be called a tile-lover’s dream. Imagine a building adorned with tile. As you’re admiring the beautifully tiled entrance, your eyes are drawn to the tiled columns on either side. Then as you gaze up, you notice the tile extends to the very top-- and you can’t help but step back in ah. The building in which I speak of is the Historic Howden building of Oakland, California-- a building that showcases the true beauty and uniqueness of ceramic tile.
.JPG)
It was here that the Tile Heritage Foundation held “Clay Expectations: A Festival of Tiles and Mosaics” this past Sunday. Tiles artists and artisans alike gathered inside its doors and exhibited truly the most beautiful tile around--not one the same. Lectures and a tour were given, along with clay and mosaic workshops for children. The day was filled with excitement and laughter, and artists’ stories of their own work and experiences. Everyone had a different story to tell and unique things to share. It was a day not to be missed, and Fireclay Tile was very happy to be a part of it.
.JPG)
.JPG)
In thanks to the Tile Heritage Foundation for hosting this event and all the participants involved, Fireclay Tile would like to feature some of our favorite tile artists from the showcase in our upcoming blogs.
Look forward to reading about Janet Ontko of Clay Forms, Justine Tot Tatarsky of Art on Tile, and Lisa and James TeviaClark of Bella Vista Tile. Many thanks again to a great day of tile and thanks for your support!
(1)_122_164.JPG)
Sep. 9, 2010
Since the Spring Fireclay Tile has been offering some really fun mosaic classes led by mosaic artist Delaine Hackney. To date over 35 local aspiring artists have enjoyed these fun and active workshops.
In September Delaine is offering two great classes on Garden Mosaics and Pet Portraiture. Come check out what the San Jose Mercury News called . All supplies and materials are included, and each participant will recieve 10% off any Fireclay Tile Boneyard purchase. To register just email Delaine at delaine@delainemosaic.com.
Sep. 9, 2010
It’s not too often one gets the opportunity to be completely immersed in a world of tile-- to be surrounded by its history, its beauty, its unique craft. For those of you who know the Historic Howden Building in Oakland, California, you may have an idea of the beauty to which I speak of. For those of you who don’t, let me just quote from Mosaic Art Now and say it’s “a glittering, shimmering, jewelry box of a tile showroom.” Unique in many ways, this building, which was built in 1925, houses a showcase of tile-- and it is in this very place that the Tile Heritage Foundation presents “Clay Expectations: A Festival of Tiles and Mosaics” this Sunday, September 12th, 10-5 pm.
.JPG)
This fundraising event will bring together the work of tile artisans and artists alike all to be showcased and exhibited in “support of the Tile Heritage Foundation’s ongoing archival and cataloging programs.” Accompanying the presentation of tile and mosaic art, tours and lectures will be given, along with children’s workshops on clay and mosaics. Amongst the tile artisans and artists attending, Fireclay Tile is thrilled to be a participant in this Sunday’s event and share our unique 24-year-old tile history. We will be showcasing our sustainable, handmade, local tile, specifically our hand-painted Cuerda Seca tiles, which we have been making here at Fireclay Tile for over 15 years. Please join us and witness the true beauty and uniqueness of tile from all around and learn about its fascinating history. It will truly be an event not to be missed-- so bring your family along to this spectacular showcase and have some fun!
For more information, please visit http://www.tileheritage.org/
Details:
Sunday, September 12th, 10-5 pm
Historic Howden Building
17th & Webster Sts., Oakland, California
Admission: $5 ($4 with this notice)
Lectures:
Tiles Out of the Blue: Creating Beauty from the Earth
California Decorative Tiles, 1900-1930
By Joseph A. Taylor 11-noon Sunday, Sept. 12th
Berkeley, California
1913-1959
By Kirby William Brown 1-2pm Sunday, Sept. 12th
Towers, Totems and Tiles
By Lillian Sizemore 3-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12th
Tiles and Terra Cotta in Uptown Oakland
A Walking Tour with Riley Doty
Presented by Oakland Heritage Alliance
12:30 – 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12th
Separate charge: $10
Elizabeth Raybee will orchestrate a “drop-in for
kids” (of all ages) to make mini-mosaics. Among
the choices will be mosaic pins or fridge magnets
made in jar lids or anchovy/sardine cans. Lots of
fun and glitter! Everyone can take away a
finished piece. Elizabeth Raybee is an
internationally recognized mosaic artist and
teacher.
Tile Heritage is also providing a supervised Kids’
Clay Table all day with well known ceramists &
teachers: Irene de Watteville, Dale Wiley, Lisa
Cox, Chere Mah and Colette Crutcher. This will
be an informal setting with lots of clay tools,
stamps and molds as well as guidance and
demonstration by the teachers. Everyone can take
home what they make!
The Tiles of California Faience
Southern California Mosaic Fantasy Worlds:
Tour:
Workshop for Kids -Mosaic
Workshop for Kids - Clay
