Decorative handmade ceramic tile

Relief carved Celtic heart ceramic tile

2012-02-12T14:53:00.000-08:00

6x6 Celtic Knot & heart tile

The very ancient festival of lupercalia, February 13-15 in honor of Lupercus, god of sheperds and partly in honor of Lupa, the she wolf that suckled the orphans Remus & Romulus, founders of Rome, is said by some to be the origin of Valentines day. In Roman tradition the festival began with the Luperci (brothers of the wolf) priests. Foreheads smeared in sacrificial blood wiped from the knife with milk soaked wool, wearing only a goat skin, they would circle the city of Rome hitting women who lined the route with shaggy goat thongs. This was believed to ensure the barren fertility and the pregnant easy deliveries. Another of the festivities included eligable men drawing maiden's names from an urn, who they would pair with for the remainder of the festival and sometimes longer. Around 496 AD Pope Gelasias, feeling that this pairing of couples was not in keeping with the Christian teachings, ended the festival and replaced it with St. Valentines day whom he declared the patron saint of lovers (that being a whole other story) February 14 then became the day for men to draw the names of saints from the urn and spend the following year emulating their drawn saint. This practice fizzled out and by the 15th century Valentines day had returned to coupling eligable singles. Attemps to revive the saint pairing later never caught on.During medieval chivalry days the Valentines custom was to draw names in pairs, the man then wearing his chosen name on his sleeve, honor bound to attend and protect her. The 17th century saw the custom of exchanging elaborate hand made cards with flowery verse. Pre fabricated cards and a reduction in postal rates in 1797 ushered in the practice of mailing Valentine cards. Suddenly, most likely due to the anonimity of the mail, great numbers of racey, sexually suggestive cards began to appear. A great stir was caused amongst the prudish Victorians and several countries actually banned the exchange of cards due to the large number of obscene Valentines circulating. In the late 19th century the Chicago post office rejected tens of thousands of cards as not being fit to be carried through the US mail. Valentine cards were not to be stopped and today February 14, jokingly refered to as a 'hallmark' holiday has the highest sale of cards than any other day of the year and I'm sure there's a good smattering of sexually suggestive ones among them. So Happy Lupercalia!

Decorative relief carved Celtic ceramic tile willow tree set

2012-02-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

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10 x 21 three piece relief carved, ceramic Celtic willow tree set

Available at earthsongtiles.com

The willow tree figures prominently in the mythology and folklore of many cultures, associated to the feminine lunar rhythms of life and utilized throughout history for healing, tools and spirituality. It is a symbol of romantic love, healing, protection and fertility. Along with the hazel and birch, willow is known to be one of the best woods for water divining and the bark has been used for it's pain relieving qualities since ancient times.

In the Celtic tradition February is the month of the willow which has long had an association with Pagan rituals involving the enhancement of psychic abilities, to connect with intuition, dreams and visions and to poeticly inspire writing, music & images.

A tree of dreaming, inspiration and enchantment.

Sacred to the moon.

Decorative relief carved ceramic crocus tile

2012-02-01T22:31:00.000-08:00

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3x3 ceramic relief carved crocus tile

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Imbolc, the ancient pagan festival of the lactating ewes, celebrated on the 2 of February marks the center point between fall equinox and summer solstice, the dark half of the year. A time to prepare for growth and renewal by blessing seeds & tools and paying homage to the dieties of fertility, especially the goddesses in their maiden aspect. Hearth fires are doused and rekindled and candles lit to honor the strenthening of the sun. Ibolc is a sacred day of the goddess Brighid who's snake emerges from the womb of the earth mother to test the weather, this being the origin of ground hog day. The crocus, being a member of the iris family, associated with Eos, Venus & Aphrodite as well as the sun, mars, leo & fire is one of the traditional decorations used to celebrate Imolc.

Decorative handmade relief carved ceramic dragon tile

2012-01-23T16:45:00.000-08:00

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Happy year of the Dragon!

This is our 14 x 7 half round dragon tile #2 surrounded with custom shaped field tile.

Available at earthsongtiles.com

Dragons are deeply rooted in, and their legends permeate Chinese culture from ancient times untill today. The benevolence of the dragon signifies greatness, goodness and blessings, many Chinese still often refer to themselves as decendants of the dragon. In ancient China there was not doubt of their exsistance and great respect was shown for any writing or art depicting dragons. Being a divine mythical beast, dragons can ward off evil spirits and protect the innocent, the ultimate symbol of good fortune. According to Chinese mythology dragons lived under the earth, surfacing only in the second month of the Chinese calendar to create rain & thunder. They looked like snakes and had no wings but could still fly.

This is the year of the less selfish and opinionated water dragon. Being less power hungry than the other dragons tend to be, the water dragon can accept defeat gracefully. A good negotiator knowing when, where and how to apply pressure. They are a little on the over optimistic side and must remember to relenquish the unfeasable in order to concentrate fully on the most rewarding endevors.

Relief carved decorative handmade ceramic swan tile

2012-01-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

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12x12 ceramic swan tile, relief carved & handpainted in underglazes with a clear gloss glaze finish.

Available at earthsongtiles.com

Swans feature strongly in the mythology of many cultures the world over. For the American Navajo the white swan could call up the four winds, Australian aborigines considered the black swan as wives of their All father and in Greece the swan was and is the symbol of the muses. Norse Valkyries often took the shape of swans and flew singing though the skies. They appear throughout Irish folklore, often in the disguise of fairy women. At times such as summer Solstice, Beltain or Samhain when the veils between worlds are thin, swan maidens can take on human form. In the Celtic tradition the swan is associated with dieties of healing water and sun. Sacred to bards they are shape shifters that have mastered the elements of water, earth and air. The swan is known as the Hamsa bird in Hinduism, signifing the divine mind and the breath of spirit...

Relief carved ceramic humming bird tile

2012-01-15T16:27:00.000-08:00

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6x6 relief carved humming bird ceramic tile

available at earthsongtiles.com

A Maya folk tale

In days long ago the sun god Baalam Kej transformed into a humming bird to escape the anger of his beloved Lady moon's father. The lady moon, unaware of the transformation came upon this humming bird and was magically drawn to him. The humming bird showed no fear and allowed himself to be captured by lady moon and carried home. Lady moons father known as the creator and supreme god was so pleased by his daughters happiness he had a special house built in lady moon's sleeping quarters especially for the humming bird. That night the sun god and lady moon eloped. They have made a perfect match of day & night ever since.

Decorative Celtic handmade ceramic tile installation

2012-01-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

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These days we tend to think of ceramic tiles as mainly funtional, but they also possess a particular beauty which has played a major role in thier development through the ages. There have been periods throughout history where, in many places of the world, ceramic tiles have flourished primarily as decorative, adorning numerous palaces & public places. Increased movement along trade routes, wars, political unrest and religious fervor have all played a part in the blending of cultures. The subsequent exchange of artistic ideas, techniques and materials lead to the evolution and development of tile making. Since ancient times skilled craftsmen and artizans have been respected members of many societies, often employed by the governments of thier countries and traveling to centers of commerce & wealth to practice thier skills.

The tradition of hand crafting tiles which dates back to prehistoric mans first recognition of clay as an artistic medium is experiencing a present day renaissance throughout North America with hundreds of small artistic tile studios emerging and many large manufacturers refocusing thier production to include decorative ceramic tile lines.

Relief carved Celtic ceramic sun tile

2011-12-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

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Relief carved 2x2 sun tile available at earthsongtiles.com

Happy Solstice!

I danced in the morning when the world was begun

I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun

I was called by the darkness by the song of the earth

I joined in the singing and she gave me birth

The sun is in the south and the days lengthen fast

And soon we will sing for the winter that is past

Now we light the candles and rejoice as they burn

And dance the dance of the suns return!

The moon in her phases and the tides of the sea

the movement of the earth and the seasons that will be

are rhythm for the dancing and a promise through the years

The dance goes on through joy and tears.

Dance then, wherever you may be!

I am the lord of the dance said he!

I'll lead you on wherever you may be!

I will lead you all in the dance said he!

From 'Lord of the dance' Traditional

Relief carved Celtic harp tile

2011-12-20T12:34:00.000-08:00

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Relief carved 6x6 ceramic Celtic harp tile available at earthsongtiles.com

When harpers once in wooded hall

a shinning cord would strike

Their songs like arrows pierced the soul

of great and low alike

Aglow by hearth and candle flame

From burning branch to ember

The mist of all they're music sang

as if to ask in wonder

Is there a moment quite as keen

or memory as bright

as light and fire and music sweet

To warm a winters night

Adam Christianson

Decorative relief carved ceramic Celtic dogs tile

2011-12-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

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6x6 relief carved Celtic dogs tile available at earthsongtiles.com

Even as magical beasts grew rare in the Western world, travelers tales would suggest they still flourished in remote corners of the earth. Marco Polo, the Italian wanderer, reported that a society of canine people inhabited the Andaman Island off what was the coast of Burma. Although there was mention of sometimes devouring mortals, they still engaged in a prosporous trade with India. A much more peaceful fare of rice, nuts, apples and milk being the usual diet. Several decades after Marco Polos journeys, Sir John Mandeville, an English writer, described another dog headed tribe. The king of these beast people on the Island of Macumeran, a far away place no longer known, had an enormous ruby pendant about his neck. His subjects, reported Mandeville, wore the image of the ox which they worshiped on their turbans. That seemed to be all Mandeville was able to tell of them ; )

Decorative, relief carved ceramic Celtic tree tile

2011-12-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

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6x6 relief carved Celtic tree tile available at earthsongtiles.com

The rowan tree, linked with the Norse word 'runa' a charm and the Sanskrit 'runa' meaning a magician has long held the reputation for protection from enchantment. Opposite their stalks the red rowan berries carry a tiny 5 pointed star or pentagram, the ancient magical symbol of protection. Along with many other trees the Rowan played a central role in Druid ceremonies. Even in more recent history, in parts of Britian sprigs were placed in the cattle barn, over the main door of the house and worn for protection and to ward off enchantment. In Wales Rowan trees were planted in Churchyards to watch over the spirits of the dead.

Decorative relief carved ceramic griffin tiles

2011-12-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

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A bookmatched pair of relief carved 4x10 ceramic griffin tiles

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In medieval Europe, Heraldry evolved as a way to identify various noble families by their emblems in a pre-literate population. Many families favored animals that either connected with their family name in some way or had qualities they felt themselves to possess. Some, such as the griffin were mythical, others like lions, leopards and tigers were exotic but closely resembled more familiar European creatures. Heraldic beasts made their appearance on many things including helmets, shields, pennants and in wood and stone carvings.

The griffin represents vigilance and vengance. An Heraldic beast which combines the attributes of both eagle & lion, symbolic guardian of the tree of life or the path to salvation.

Decorative, relief carved ceramic cat tile

2011-09-14T19:02:00.000-07:00

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14" x 7" relief carved half round cat tile

Available at http://earthsongtiles.com/

Nocturnal & independent, cats are most frequently associated with the moon and feminine mysteries. They were domesticated in Egypt around 2,000 BC. Bastet, the ancient Egyptian moon Goddess as well as other dieties were represented by the cat. In Druid tradition cats are also sacred to the lunar Goddess, appearing in Irish, Welsh and Breton folklore. They have a particularly powerful connection to Scotland where numerous clans held the cat as their totem animal.

A pictish tribe named the cat people lived in Caithness, the promontory (ness) of the cats. Sutherland in Gaelic is Cataobh, Cat Country. In the west, the Churches fear of the powers cats were said to have in the spirit world as well as their aliance with Shamans & magicians caused them to be the victim of persecution and cruelty. Many thousands of cats in Briton & France were tortured and burned. The Chinese on the other hand credited the cat with the ability to banish evil spirits.

Relief carved ceramic orange tree tile mural

2011-08-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

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Relief carved, hand painted 11.5 x 20 Orange tree ceramic tile mural.

Available at earthsongtiles.com

The tree, believed to be a source of divine creative energy, has been and still is one of mankinds most potent symbols. They are the embodiment of life, where the heavens, earth and water meet. Thier fruits are considered manifestations of the sun and represent the rewards of spiritual growth.

In many cultures orange trees are a symbol of love & marriage.

Decorative, relief carved ceramic wave border tile

2011-08-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

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Our new 8 x 2.5 relief carved ceramic wave border tile shown here in 'emerald shadow' one of our custom high gloss art glaze colors. Available at earthsongtiles.com

Water is life's mater & matrix,

Mother & medium.

There is no life without water.

(Albert Szent-Gyorgyi)

Decorative handmade Relief carved ceramic dragon tile

2011-07-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

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Relief carved 14" x 7" Demi lune dragon tile #2

Available at earthsongtiles.com

The dragon has been a creature of myth and ledgend throughout the world for centuries, chiefly representing the creation of the earth and life as a result of the combination of the elements.

Ancient Celts believed that dragons were creatures of the parallel world and their power and presence had a profound affect on the 'ley of the land' historically meaning how the flow of cosmic forces influenced an area and the affect the area had on those forces. The path of the dragons was critical to the flow of energy, spots where dragons crossed or rested were places of heighened power, Stonehenge is thought to be one of these places. This tradition is also observed in the Orient within the Ancient practice of Feng Shui.

Handmade, relief carved ceramic dragonfly tile

2011-06-01T14:20:00.000-07:00

7 1/2" round relief carved dragonfly tile

Available at earthsongtiles.com

A creature of wind & water, dragonflies have inhabited this planet for almost 300 millon years, so It's not surprising that in most cultures throughout the world they have been the object of many associations & superstitions both good and bad. They are a much admired & respected symbol of good luck in Japan as well as in China where they are associated with prosperity & harmony. To the Native Americans dragonflies were a sign of happiness, purity and speed, able to travel at 45 mph. In Swedish folklore they were known for sewing the mouths closed of children who told a lie. The Welsh called them snakes servants believing they followed snakes around to stitch up any wounds they might incure. They were also reported to measure human souls for good & evil. Dragonflies have a strong connection to Freya, a Norse goddess of love, fertility and warfare.

It is speculated that the source of our modern symbol of love may be the paired bodies of mating dragonflies which form the shape of a heart.

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Relief carved Art deco Rose fairy ceramic tile

2011-05-11T12:07:00.000-07:00

Relief carved 4 x 8 nude Rose fairy tile shown here in a taupe underglaze with a clear gloss finish.

Available at earthsongtiles.com

Flowers are the universal symbols of youth and vitality most commonly linked with the paradisal state & feminine beauty.

The Chinese had a saying that for each woman living in this world a flower boomed in the next

Relief carved ceramic green man tile

2011-05-01T16:31:00.000-07:00

Happy May Day!

This is our 6x6 relief carved green man tile, shown here in a dark green underglaze with a clear gloss glaze finish. Available at earthsongtiles.com

Durring the 16th & 17th centuries in the UK May Day was celebrated with garlands of flowers and leaves. These garlands became increasingly elaborate to the extent that they would cover an entire man. This became known as Jack in the green, associated with the green man, one of the most powerful fertility symbols throughout western culture. By the turn of the 19th century, the Victorian disapproval of bawdy, anarchic behaviour replaced the somewhat lewd lord & lady of the May and their practical jokes with a pretty, demure May queen. The noisy, drunken Jack in the green vanished altogether from the May day parades.

The Jack in the green custom finally enjoyed a revival in the 1970's and continues in some places today.

Relief carved ceramic thistle tile

2011-04-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

4x4 Relief carved and handpainted thistle tile

Available at earthsongtiles.com

The thistle, a favorite food of many song birds, especially finches, is an ancient Celtic symbol for nobility of both character & birth. It has been the national emblem of Scotland for well over 500 years.

This is an excerpt from a Robert Burns poem, writen in reply to

' The Guid Wife of Wauchope House' a poem writen to Burns by Elizabeth Scott 1787.

The rough burr-thistle,

spreading wide among the bearded bear

I turn'd the weeder-clips aside

A'n spare'd the symbol dear

No nation, no station

my envy e'er could raise:

A Scot still, but blot still,

I knew know higher praise.

Decorative Handmade Moon & Sun ceramic tiles

2011-04-20T16:16:00.000-07:00

Relief carved 8 x 8 Sun man and Moon woman tiles

Available at earthsongtiles.com

The skies, for ancient peoples, were a screen on which they projected their most profound speculations and spiritual needs. As the prime source of light and heat, the sun combined with rain to bring forth and sustain life. It's active, creative energy was considered to be a male attribute, and because of its high position in the heavens and the clarity of its light, the sun was reguarded as all-seeing, and was worshipped as a ( mainly masculine) god in a number of civilizations.

The moon is generally seen as feminine, partly owing to the correspondence of the lunar month with the menstrual cycle. Constantly changing from phase to phase and varying its position in the sky, the moon is fickle in character, but at the same time symbolizes resurrection, immortality and the cyclical nature of all things. It stands for the power of the dark, mysterious side of nature, and the moon goddess was almost universally perceived as the weaver of fate and controller of destinies, in the same way she controlled the tides, the weather, rainfall and seasons.

While the sun and moon symbolized the principal gods, the stars embodied those of lesser importance, whose influence on human fate was more remote. The moon as queen of the heavens is often shown haloed with stars to symbolize the obeisance paid to her by the other forces of nature.

Relief carved Saraswati ceramic tile

2011-04-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

4 x 16 Saraswati tile shown here in honey underglaze with a clear gloss finish

Available at earthsongtiles.com

Saraswati, a river Goddess in early history is better known now as the Goddess of knowledge and art, representing the free flow of wisdom & consciousness. She is also associated with anuraga, the love for and rythym of music, she plays the music of love and life on her vina.

There is a legend that when Shiva opened his third eye, the flame that eminated from it threatened to destroy everything in it's path. Saraswati undaunted, knowing that it would only destroy that which was impure took the shape of a river. She carried the flame deep into the sea transforming it into a fire breathing mare and declared the creature would stay underground as long as wisdom was sought after on earth.

Love song of the frog

2011-04-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

Love song of the frog

Decorative relief carved raven ceramic tile

2011-04-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

Happy April fools, a good day to feature one of our custom instalations with the trickster raven in it.

Although the origins of April fools day remain a mystery, historians believe it evolved directly out of one of the many ancient renewal festivals practiced by cultures around the world. These festivals held to celebrate the return of spring often involved ritualized forms of mischief and mayhem. The wearing of disguises and playing of pranks was common. Social order was symbolicly challenged for a strictly set time then restored, reafirming the stability of the society and the cycle of life. It is frequently suggested that the feast of Lud, held in honor of Lud an ancient Celtic god of humor, was the forerunner of April fools day.

Handmade, relief carved ceramic frog & fern tile

2011-03-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

6 x 12 relief carved ceramic frog & fern tile

Available at earthsongtiles.com

Frogs have featured prominently in the folklore of many cultures around the world and continue to do so right up to modern pop culture. Connected to the moon and the symbol of new beginings, fertility, transformation & good luck, frogs were often considered representatives of the water spirits by the Druids. In Scotland stone frogs are often given as house warming presents, a good luck symbol to be kept in the garden. The frog goddess Heket was worshiped by Egyptians, to whom the frog symbolized life itself. In China the frog represents the lunar Yin, it's spirit being associated with healing & good fortune.

Breaking the silence

of an ancient pond

A frog jumped into the water

A deep resonance

One of the thirty odd translations into English of the famous Haiku by Matsuo Basho 1686

Ceramic Celtic Shamrock tile

2011-03-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

Happy St. Paddy's day!

This is our 6 x 6 Shamrock tile, we have the same design in a 4 x 4 as well.

Available at earthsongtiles.com

Seamrog or shamrock, although not the official symbol of Ireland, that being the harp, is the one that is associated with Ireland more than any other emblem.

For the ancient Druids the wild shamrock, known as wood sorrel was a mystic symbol representing joy, maternal tenderness and associated with the Celtic sun wheel. The Druids considered the shamrocks impressive vitality & medicinal qualities to be a sign of sacredness.

Celtic Harp tile

2011-03-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

6 x 6 Celtic Harp tile shown here in a high gloss leaf green glaze

Available at earthsongtiles.com

Music & chanting can evoke profound states of consciousness and stimulate mystical experiences.

Traditionally it has symbolized the order and harmony behind all creation.

In the Celtic tradition, Daghda, the Celtic god of plenty used a harp to summon the seasons.

Relief carved Celtic horse ceramic tile

2011-03-03T20:21:00.000-08:00

Our relief carved 12 x 12 Celtic tripple horse tile, shown here decorated in a honey underglaze

with a clear gloss glaze finish.

Available at earthsongtiles.com

The horse goddess Epona originated in Gaul. But Her cult was so popular it quickly spread to Britain and as far east as Bulgaria, she was the only Celtic diety to be worshiped in Rome, her feast day being the 18th of December. In Welsh tradition, Eponas equivalent is Rhiannon and in Ireland the goddeses Macha & Etain. She was known as both a protectress as well as the mother goddess who presided over the life cycle.

Relief carved ceramic faerie tile

2011-02-23T20:12:00.000-08:00

Our new 6x6 faerie tile.

Available at earthsongtiles.com

Asking questions, open minds

Looking in between

Seeking love, and various kinds

Of creatures yet unseen

Taking chances, bravely stride

Beyond the realms we know

With magic hoping to collide

To feel our spirits grow

Stepping closer to the brink

We ponder mythic themes

Through the veil, with mother sync

World of wonder, faerie dreams.

Decorative handmade ceramic crane tile

2011-02-16T15:47:00.000-08:00

6 x 6 Crane tile done in a mocha cream gloss glaze.

Available at earthsongtiles.com

One of the most frequently mentioned birds of the ancient Irish & British tradition, the crane represents secret knowlege, patience & longevity. The same symbolism is attributed to the crane in Chinese culture as well, where next to the phoenix it is the most favored of all the bird symbols.

Cranes dance in circles, which the ancients associated with both the movement of the sun and their role as guides, leading souls out of incarnation and back again to birth ( the stork?) Many cultures around the world were known to enact ritual crane dances, using nine steps and a leap while weaving in and out of a maze pattern to symbolize the journey of the soul.

How we make our handmade ceramic tiles

2011-02-05T13:51:00.000-08:00

http://earthsongtiles.com/making_tiles.html
Here's a link to a short step by step of how we make our tiles.

Handmade Celtic Ceramic tile installation

2011-02-04T17:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of one of our 30 x 30 Celtic tile sets in the process of being installed. We don't do installing ourselves, we just make the tiles, but we do recomend shopping around for a setter that's had some experience with handmade tiles. Because of the variations there is often more "eyeballing" and minor adjustments to be done than you'll get with most manufactued tiles. thetiledoctor.com is a pretty informatve site if your planning on doing your own tile setting.

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Celtic deer and dragon ceramic tile set

2011-01-29T13:12:00.000-08:00

This is our 30 x 30, 12 piece Celtic deer and dragon tile set. It's 1/2 inch thick with very shallow relief carving, which makes it especially suited to being installed on either the floor or wall. It's shown here in two of our best selling colors, Mocha cream & Mossy stone.

We have the same design in a 13 x 13, 9 piece set. This one's 3/8 inch thick and the center tile has deeper relief carving.

In both Celtic and Native American symbolism the deer, or hind, represents femininity, gentleness and kindness. Called "Faerie cattle" by ancient Celts, who believed them to be supernatural.

Dragons, in the British Celtic mythology, symbolize power of the elements and treasures of the subconscious mind.

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Decorative ceramic Celtic Owl tile

2010-12-15T12:27:00.000-08:00

I am coeval with the ancient oak

Whose roots spread wide in yonder moss

Many a race has passed before me

And still I am the lonely owl of Srona

Domhnull Mac Fhionnlaidh

Owl, cailleach-oidhche (crone of the night), sacred to the Goddess in her crone aspect

symbolizes esoteric wisdom & secrecy.

This is our very popular 6x6 Celtic Owl tile, shown here in a high gloss espresso art glaze.

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Celtic mermaid and seal ceramic tile

2010-11-10T21:27:00.000-08:00

Our new relief carved 8"x 8" Celtic Mermaid and seal tile.

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A mermaid found a swimming lad,

Picked him for her own,

Pressed her body to his body'

Laughed; and plunged down

Forgot in cruel happiness

That even lovers drown.

William Butler Yeats

Tales of mermaids and their many interactions with humans have been around for centuries. They form a large part of seafaring lore, especially, but not exclusively around the coastal areas of Britian.

Although most stories are of sea dwelling mermaids, many are told of them haunting rivers and deep pools. The name mermaid is often used to describe a range of supernatural water creatures.

The classic mermaid known in western cultures is derived from Celtic legend, folklore and local sealore in places where people were in contact with the sea as part of every day life.

Christopher Columbus logged that he had seen mermaids on his journey to the new world and was suprised that they were not more attractive. The popular belief is that it was actually manatees he saw.

Celtic Claddagh, decorative ceramic tile

2010-10-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

8 x 8 relief carved ceramic Claddagh tile, a symbol of love, friendship & loyalty.

The Claddagh ring was designed around 400 years ago by Richard Joyce in a fishing village called Claddagh overlooking Galway Bay. It belongs to a group of finger rings which date from Roman times called Fede or Faith rings. The Claddagh is a very distinctive design amongst Fede rings and there are several stories as to it's origins. One of the more popular tales is that a Richard Joyce of Galway was captured by Algerian corsairs and sold to a Moorish goldsmith, from whom he learned the craft. In 1689, as the result of a demand from King William III, he was released from slavery. The Moor offered him his only daughter in marriage along with half his wealth if he would remain in Algiers. Richard declined and returned home with the idea and skills to craft the Claddagh ring. The earliest rings to be traced bear his mark & initials.

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Decorative relief carved hummingbird ceramic tile

2010-09-24T17:27:00.000-07:00

Flight has always represented freedom and the ascent of the soul to the gods. Birds share something of the same symbolic meaning. Coming from the skies they are messengers from higher powers, for good or ill.

Here's a relief carved & hand painted pair of 6x6 Humming bird tiles with iridecent mother of pearl luster on the feathers. The flowers can be custom painted in any color.
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New Celtic mermaid & seal tile carving

2010-09-18T16:28:00.000-07:00

I have now finished carving the 8x8 Celtic mermaid & seal tile designed by our daughter Sara.
Here's the original carving in progress.

Here's John preparing the frame for the plaster mold.

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Decorative ceramic raven tile

2010-08-18T22:32:00.000-07:00

Ravens, well known for thier intelligence, have been distinguished in numerous cultures as a harbinger of powerful secrets. To the Celts Bran, the Welsh word for Raven, is associated with healing, initiation, protection and the gift of prophecy. For the Norse they are symbolic of mind, thought & wisdom. In Native North American tradition the raven is a venerated bird of creation, known as the bringer of light as well as being wise & sly.

This is our 14 x 7 demi lune raven tile. I thought I'd feature this tile today after a friend of mine that was visiting for a couple of days had an interesting raven encounter on a trail by the beach.

This tile is one of my personal favorites and holds a feature spot in my kitchen. As with all our demi lune tiles it looks great over a doorway, especially if your an Edgar Allen Poe fan.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Green man ceramic tile

2010-08-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here is our new 6 x 6 green man tile. The green man has been a powerful symbol throughout western culture, representing male energy and the eternal cycle of decay and renewal.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Decorative ceramic dragon tiles

2010-07-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Dragons, symbols of the primal energy upholding the material world, in themselves neither good nor bad. Representing the mutual dependence of light & dark, creation & destruction, male & female. The dragon embodies the unifying force underlying these opposites.

These 14 x 7 half round dragon tiles of ours look great hung on thier own above a doorway.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Celtic Knotwork

2010-07-08T15:45:00.000-07:00

Decorative knotwork, the most identifiable type of Celtic art produced by the ancient Celts has been steeped in mystery for some thousand years. The symbolism is not that concrete, like the knots themselves thier meanings are fluid and abstract, more related to the universe & life in general than to spacific interactions.

This is our 3 x 6 Celtic knot border tile done in our most popular color, mossy stone.

It's a really nice color that goes well with alot of decors, but sometimes I do wonder if the name, mossy stone, also contributes to it's popularity.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Celtic tree of life

2010-06-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

Standing in the center of paradise, the tree of life is a representation of perfect harmony. This is our three piece Celtic tree of life set, it measures 10" x 21" and is shown here in a deep green glossy art glaze, one of my personal favorites. It's 1/2" thick, which is a little thicker than most of our tiles. Because of this we always glaze part way down the edges so it can be installed with a thinner plain tile.

http://earthsongtiles.com

Tree worship, Celtic tree tile

2010-06-16T23:23:00.000-07:00

The worship of one of mankinds most potent symbols, the tree was widespread in nearly all parts of the world where they grew. They are the embodiment of life where the heavens, earth and water unite and an axis around which the universe is organized. Believed to be infused with an abundance of divine creative energy, forests came to symbolize mystery and transformation.
earthsongtiles.com

Celtic cross tile

2010-06-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

The Celtic cross, bringing together the cross & circle, was a symbol associated with prosperity and fertility many centuries before Christianity. The cross representing the sun, male generative power and the circle the moon, female. Within Christianity it has come to represent the union of Heaven & earth.
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Decorative handmade ceramic tile: Celtic cross mold done

2010-05-12T19:20:00.000-07:00

Decorative handmade ceramic tile: Celtic cross mold done
http://earthsongtiles.com

Celtic cross mold done

2010-05-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

The Celtic cross mold is done and drying. The first tiles should be in production next week, finally!

New Celtic cross carving in progress

2010-04-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here's my latest carving in progress, an 8x8 Celtic cross tile. I'm not exactly churnning them there carvings out at a terrific speed lately. This one will probably be finished this weekend, unless the grandkids come over... I hope I don't get it finished this weekend : ) A 6x6 green man next.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

New ceramic tile glaze color

2010-04-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

I love this new glaze color I've developed, and it's not finickety. Dependable glazes are sooo nice. I've done it here on our 8 x 8 tree top tile, but it looks really great on plain tiles as well.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

How to make your own ceramic tile grout

2010-03-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe for making your own tile grout, I'd be interested to know if anyones tried it and what they think. Mix 2 parts dry clean sand with 1 part portland cement. Add this to water to form a slow damp curing grout.

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Finished Celtic trinity knot ceramic tile

2010-03-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

Celtic trinity tile almost ready for production

2010-02-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

http://earthsongtiles.com/

Finally finished carving the 8x8 Celtic trinity tile, now it's Johns turn to take over and make a mold of it. Meanwhile I'll be starting on another 8x8 carving, a much requested Celtic cross tile. Now that our big birthday month is almost over with all it's ensuing trips to town I should be able to get this one done a little faster.

New Celtic trinity carving

2010-02-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

Resited going to the beach today to take bird photos and worked on the new 8x8 Celtic trinity tile I'm carving. Here it is in progress, I think it will be a nice addition to our line. Next is a Celtic cross.

earthsongtiles.com

Celtic Claddagh Ceramic tile set

2010-01-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

http://earthsongtiles.com/