Faith in Raku Handmade Tiles by The Clay Empire

Posted by Chad Teddy Bear Everson in December 10th, 2007

Ishpeming, Michigan Tile Installation Nelsons 080

Originally uploaded by grizzlygroundswell

This Fall I was fortunate enough to be commisioned by a friend to install my tile in their new home. Ishpeming, Michigan is a little bit of a drive from Princeton, Minnesota, but I could not turn down the business or my friends need to have my tile grace their kitchen walls everyday as they build their family.

I approached this installation a bit differently then any others. Earlier in the year, Chris my dear friend had come to visit and we worked 12 hours making enough tile for this project in his new kitchen. Kirsten, his wife and I kid him as his better half, stayed home to tend to the children they are foster caring and adopting. Time flew and schedules did not match up, so it took some months before we were able to install them.

Since Kirsten was unable to be apart of the manufacturing process, I had to get her involved on the installation. So, I came up with a plan to make this more of an event then a contractor installing some vanity tiles.

This is what I did and think I will do this for every installation I probably ever do. I made up a bunch of tiles. Probably bringing three times as many tiles as was needed for the project. I brought tiles Chris and I had made and some from every line of tile I create. I even brought the crosses I make. I almost didn’t. Chris and Kirsten are very faithful and Chris is a youth pastor, but I hesitated bringing them to save room. Then I thought, well, I can give Chris some and he can give them out to his youth in his ministry. So I did not think anything of it as I packed the vehicle and headed out to Ishpeming. Ofcourse, I was 20 miles down the road realizing I forgot the tiles Chris and I had made together, so I had to return to my wifes bemusement only to get on the road an hour late and a dollar short.

My strategy to get Kirsten involved so that this installation was “owned” by their whole family was to have her look through all the tile and design her own layout. What a luxury I bet you are saying! An artist bringing you a whole pallet of tiles and you get to pick and choose and develop your own personal kitchen backsplash! What a luxury. (Call me and we can get yours installed early this next year! )

Honestly, it was a luxury for me. I was able to install this great kitchen backsplash masterpeice that Kirsten had designed, Chris had helped make some of the tile and I was able to assist them in seeing it all the way through to the finished project in two days!

I also was able to see how these two dear friends had grown a family in Michigan and I was able to meet the children that consume their lives now. It was so great to see my friend Chris with his kids. Kirsten was too busy helping with the installation and designing it so Chris had the childcare duties.

As an artist you get to observe and witness God’s hands in everyday life again and again. It probably should not of surprised me, but it did when Kirsten designed her entire layout utilizing the raku fired crosses I almost neglected to bring. Those where her focal points. All the beautiful texture, copper and greens and crackle whites and to this family, the cross is their focal point in the most focal point of their home, their kitchen backsplash where three children’s hungry mouths need to be filled daily.

To me, that is a testament to faith. On this Sunday, I am glad that I can share with you a moment in time when this artist was able to witness his own hands creations being brought to a whole new level with my customer and friends design focused on the cross!

~Teddy Bear

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