Mar. 25, 2013
This project was part historic renovation, part Fireclay Tile. We worked with a homeowner to give these original fish tiles from the Steinhart Aquarium new life. Fireclay made the Debris Series recycled clay field tile to complement the original fish tiles. We love to work with our customers on these unique projects and becuase everything we do is handmade, were able to match original tile sizes, moulding pieces and even glaze colors.
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. 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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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
