–framed and ready to hang

The framing business has been booming.  Who knew?

Making ceramic tile gives us so many options, once again.  One could look at it as a one-dimensional art form but we see it as having endless possibilities–not only in the process part (which is incredibly varied in opportunities), but also in the final presentation.  And, right now we’re taking our tiles on the frame train!

Framing a simple piece changes it’s whole personality…in a delightfully surprising way.  Working with wood has it’s pleasurable side benefits as well.  Wood smells good, it’s rich in visual texture, it’s a bit more predictable (than clay) and can provide immediate gratification… and when sanded, it is as smooth as a baby’s behind…sort of.

We’ve chosen to make some of the framed pieces have function (with hooks for keys and leashes and things…after all–we are practical women) and others are simply surrounded in warm wood… because they can be.  I like the way they look from the back as well.  I love our recent discovery of using round flat discs to hold the tile in place–feels like the feminine touch.

Most of our pieces can be framed in one of two ways. One style has the tile mounted on a wood backing then framed it as if it were floating.  A second method pressure fits it directly into it’s woodwork, held in place by round metal discs with the tile back open and visible.

Take a ride on the frame train…