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Handmade Pottery Tiles by Carrie Martin

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Handmade Pottery Tiles by My Daughter, the Artist, Carrie Martin

My beautiful daughter, Carrie Martin, has always been creative and artistic. I just had to showcase her beautiful art pottery and her current work in creating handmade pottery tiles. She is an accomplished photographer and painter, as well, but her first love is pottery.

I'll show some of the pieces she has made over the years, including some of her photography, drawings and paintings, as well as other pottery pieces she has handmade. My daughter's beautiful pottery tiles can be seen at her etsy shop, Corduroy Clay.
Please enjoy her work.

The photo is of Carrie at one of her home art shows and sales.

a self-taught artist

Although Carrie is mostly a self-taught artist, she has attended art workshops at Florida State University and Moravian Pottery & Tile Works in Doylestown, PA.. A number of her friends are also artists from whom she gains support and inspiration. Over the years she has tried her hand at a number of different art mediums including photography, pen and ink drawings, and oil painting. She has a talent for them all, but has chosen pottery as her main medium.

Carrie learned to make pottery art tiles at an art work shop she attended a few years ago in Pennsylvania at the famed Moravian Pottery & Tile Works. According to Carrie, "Henry Mercer is the man that created that place and it's techniques that they use today. His house/mansion which is completely covered on the inside with all his tiles is on the hill next to the Tile Works. I use what I learned there, but don't do it the same way. I pour plaster into a cardboard box to make my molds, whereas they taught us to use board, clamps and plexiglass to create a custom sized mold around each tile. I just don't have those resources. I also use commercially bought glazes because I don't have time to make my own right now and I love the Elements Mayco colors so much."

The framed elephant tile shown is her handiwork that was a birthday present to me. I absolutely love it.

Carrie Martin's "About Me" in her own words

I'd say I'm a mix somewhere between a bird who longs to swim and a tree who longs to fly. In other words...I'm a bit mixed up and always dreaming. My first passion is pottery because I love playing in the mud. I also love the moment when I open the kiln after that glaze fire to see what chemical magic took place when I wasn't looking.

I started making the pendants because my new home isn't hooked up for my large kiln just yet and I have a smaller kiln to work with. Then, after unpacking a hidden box, I found my first bird tile mold I created at the Moravian Tile Works in Doylestown, PA. I took a workshop there in 2008 to learn the techniques Henry Mercer used to create all his fabulous tiles and after finding that mold I decided to start making others. Since then I've fallen in love with tile making...and so...the adventure begins.

(Image is Carrie sitting behind the tile molds she made)

Close-up of layered elephant ear

one of Carrie Martin's pottery tiles for sale at CorduroyClay on etsy

Handmade Elephant Tiles

see all her pottery for sale at CorduroyClay on etsy

Carrie has sold out of her elephant tiles except for this one, but she is making more.

Elephant Ear Art Tile, Blue | Price: $55

Here's another elephant to celebrate my ever growing collection of tiles. For each of these tiles sold through Etsy, I will donate $10 to The Ele... (full description)

The Elephant Sanctuary

To donate to Carrie's favorite charity, please go to The Elephant Sanctuary.

Carrie's water dragon

another beautiful layered pottery tile by Carrie Martin

Carrie's newest handmade pottery tiles

Corduroyclay on etsy

Carrie has started using a new layering technique to make larger tiles. They are awesome! I love the trees and dragons especially.

Water Dragon Handmade Ceramic Art Tile | Price: $48

Call her your sea serpent, water dragon or Nessie; either way she's an awesome addition to any home and hopefully brings much luck and magic to wh... (full description)

Southern Skies Handmade Ceramic Art Tile | Price: $45

Celebrating the great oaks of the south which make my home so beautiful; this is based off a painting I did a few years ago and after creating the til... (full description)

Southern Skies Handmade Ceramic Art Tile | Price: $45

Celebrating the great oaks of the south which make my home so beautiful; this is based off a painting I did a few years ago and after creating the til... (full description)

Water Dragon Handmade Ceramic Art Tile | Price: $48

Call her your sea serpent, water dragon or Nessie; either way she's an awesome addition to any home and hopefully brings much luck and magic to wh... (full description)

Southern Skies Handmade Ceramic Art Tile | Price: $45

Celebrating the great oaks of the south which make my home so beautiful; this is based off a painting I did a few years ago and after creating the til... (full description)

The Secret Life of Trees Handmade Ceramic Art Tile | Price: $55

Again, here is a design to celebrate my obsession with trees, this time honoring the parts which sustain life and create strength, which usually (as w... (full description)

Water Dragon Handmade Ceramic Art Tile | Price: $48

Call her your sea serpent, water dragon or Nessie; either way she's an awesome addition to any home and hopefully brings much luck and magic to wh... (full description)

Carrie's Secret Life of Trees tile

one of my favorite's of Carrie Martin's layered pottery tiles

Carrie's mini handmade art pottery tiles

sale at CorduroyClay on etsy

Ceramic Tree Tile | Price: $8

Yes, I love trees...especially oaks, so here's a smaller tile in honor of these beauties, with some stars to boot! It's just for the one tile... (full description)

The Little Prince Tile Mini | Price: $5

Favorite book EVER and I just got a pendant of The Little Prince himself which I used as a stamp for this small tile. It's not as decorative or i... (full description)

Star or Starfish Tile | Price: $8

I made this one so it could be used in celestial pieces as a star in a swirling sky or as a little starfish in swirling waters. It's just for the... (full description)

The Little Prince Tile | Price: $5

Favorite book EVER and I just got a pendant of The Little Prince himself which I used as a stamp for this small tile. It's not as decorative or i... (full description)

Succulent Pottery Tile, Trinket or Good Luck Charm | Price: $8

This little guy was created for the love of my terrariums and the succulents they hold. It's just for the one tile (not all three as shown in the... (full description)

Tiny Star or Starfish Tile | Price: $8

I made this one so it could be used in celestial pieces as a star in a swirling sky or as a little starfish in swirling waters. I have three tiles in... (full description)

Succulent Tile | Price: $8

This little guy was created for the love of my terrariums and the succulents they hold. It's just for the one tile (not all three as shown in the... (full description)

Snail Tile | Price: $8

Ok...I wanted to do a snail because of the awesomeness of their shells. It's just for the one tile pictured in the first picture. It's about... (full description)

Oak Tree Tile | Price: $8

Yes, I love trees...especially oaks, so here's a smaller tile in honor of these beauties, with some stars to boot! It's just for the one tile... (full description)

Succulent Tile | Price: $8

This little guy was created for the love of my terrariums and the succulents they hold. It's just for the one tile (not all three as shown in the... (full description)

Here's a sample of using Carrie's mini tiles to make a photo frame.

That's Carrie as a toddler with her grandfather.

Small handmade pottery tiles with nature themes

at CorduroyClay on etsy

Ocean Wave Tile | Price: $20

Summer is HOT and humid here in Florida, hence this design. Hand pressed, low fire tile from my original design plaster mold. Although they do come f... (full description)

Sleeping Fox Ceramic Art Tile | Price: $20

At work, we discovered several foxes in our woods that would come out and sunbathe during the day (no rabies, just mangy and harmless according the ex... (full description)

| Price: $0

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3.5" x 3.5" Rustic Stems Tile | Price: $10

These tiles are pressed with flower stems to give each tile a simple and natural design. Each one is completely different from the other in tile dim... (full description)

Moon Flowers Tile | Price: $20

Dreamy nights and spring blooms inspired this tile. Hand pressed, low fire tile from my original design plaster mold. Although they do come from a mo... (full description)

Ceramic Tile - Rocktopus the Octopus Tile | Price: $20

One of my best friends has a thing for these wicked cool creatures of the sea. This one's for you Ann! Anyways, who wouldn't want a squishy,... (full description)

Succulent Tile | Price: $8

This little guy was created for the love of my terrariums and the succulents they hold. It's just for the one tile (not all three as shown in the... (full description)

Ceramic Fish Tile | Price: $20

Koi fish inspired this design, however I imagine it could be any little fanciful fish swimming about. Hand pressed, low fire tile from my original de... (full description)

Ceramic Bird Tile | Price: $20

This tile (approximately 4x4 inches) was made from an original mold I created at the Moravian Tile Works workshop in Doylestown, PA. It was an amazing... (full description)

Sea Turtle Tile | Price: $20

Next to the elephant, I've gotta say turtles are my next favorite creature. Sea turtles especially due to their large, almost cumbersome looking... (full description)

How do I frame my pottery tiles

An example of how one can display Carrie's tile work

I asked Carrie to frame my tiles so I could hang them as art. Didn't they turn out beautifully? This is going next to the framed elephant she gave me for my birthday that is shown above.

Magnets, or whatever you want them to be

Trio of Trinkety Tiles | Price: $5

These little ones are pretty much created for anything! The three you see above are the exact three you will receive. They are unglazed on the back... (full description)

Little Magnet | Price: $2

This is for the magnet pictured above (one only, not the whole set as pictured in the other picture). I think a little art can (and should) go anywhe... (full description)

Little Magnet | Price: $2

This is for the magnet pictured above (one only, not the whole set as pictured in the other picture). I think a little art can (and should) go anywhe... (full description)

Trio of Trinkety Tiles | Price: $5

These little ones are pretty much created for anything! The three you see above are the exact three you will receive. They are unglazed on the back... (full description)

Art Pottery Pendants

Chunky Ceramic Necklace | Price: $10

This little guy is almost egg-like in shape with muted blue glaze and funky oblong designs.

The cord is tied to make the length of the necklace adj... (full description)

Chunky Ceramic Tropical Flower Necklase | Price: $10

This little guy carries hues of gold and light blue on top of the tropical flower stamped design.

The cord is tied to make the length of the neckla... (full description)

Chunky Ceramic Necklace | Price: $10

This little guy is dressed in a sandy colored glaze for your natural and/or neutral colored enjoyment!

The cord is tied to make the length of the n... (full description)

Chunky Ceramic Stamped Necklace | Price: $10

Stamped with my favorite flower ring, this chunky pendant allows for the glaze to pool in it's mossy green glaze.

The cord is tied to make the... (full description)

Chunky Ceramic Copper Leaves Necklace | Price: $10

A dark copper medallion sporting leaf shaped reservoirs of brighter copper glaze.

The cord is tied to make the length of the necklace adjustable (s... (full description)

Chunky Ceramic Angular Necklace | Price: $10

This lopsided beauty is glazed with a lovely sand-colored glaze.

The cord is tied to make the length of the necklace adjustable (see picture), is m... (full description)

Chunky Ceramic Necklace | Price: $10

This round gem is dressed in moss green and brown delights.

The cord is tied to make the length of the necklace adjustable (see picture), is made o... (full description)

Chunky Ceramic Spiral Necklace | Price: $10

Spiraled like a cinnamon bun and glazed with a crystalline glaze of mossy green and spots of blue over red low fire clay.

The cord is tied to make... (full description)

Chunky Ceramic Tropical Flower Necklace | Price: $10

This tropical flower stamped clay bit holds pools of glaze like blue glitter while revealing most of the red clay under clear glaze on the higher reli... (full description)

If you see a design you like, but prefer a different color just check her store at Corduroy Clay on etsy. Her tiles come in many different colors and glazes. Custom orders are welcome as well.

Samples of Carrie Martin's art work in various mediums

My favorite is the oil painting with the hot air balloon!

A pencil drawing she did from a photograph of me, my grandmother and my daughter. It was a big surprise at Christmas, and made me cry. The second is a self-portrait style photograph of Carrie dressed as Sally from The Nightmare before Christmas.

Here's a photograph she did of a carousel of horses.

One of her sushi plate creations.

She made a lot of plates in bowl in leaf shapes.

My favorite oil painting created by Carrie.

Her first pottery mold made at the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works workshop.

Carrie's News

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Carrie's gorgeous pottery eggs and bowl

Available at CorduroyClay on etsy

Carrie's handmade pottery bowl filled with her pottery eggs.

Carrie's beautiful pottery eggs

at CorduroyClay on etsy

Carrie buys the egg greenware then applies the stains and treatments to make them her own. They do have a dime size hole on the bottoms.