free ceramic tiles

[annabelle]

Several years ago at tile store was going out of business nearby, and gave me literally a pickup truck bed full of ceramic and stone tiles in lots of color and sizes from 4" up to 18" square....The sat in a pile in my back yard for probably 5 years, then I actually loaded them up and brought them with me when we moved to the new house 6 years ago...I took one of Cathy Claycomb's classes, called "working with solderfields" in Vegas last April, and began to look at those tiles again.  Then I saw on a forum (do not remember which one) a lovely lily mosaiced to a glass base....  So I have pulled out a few and cleaned them up.... This is the first one I have completed....What do you think???   Please be honest, or I plan to try to sell it at the next show...annabelle

[Kev]

Personally I think I would prefer it more as an actual mosaic with the grout between the pieces.

[Glassic]

I like the basic idea for a mural/collage on a wall that would catch the light.
As a suncatcher it doesn't do much for me, without the tile using glass on glass it would likely catch my eye.

[Anne]

I agree with Y. As a suncatcher I'd want it be to transparent to let the light enhance the glass. The idea of the piece is good though, why don't you give it a try without the tile. You could do tile with this kind of idea for use as coasters.  Leave gaps to catch the condensation from a cold glass and put rubber feet on the bottom.

[AglassAct]

These tiles look great with decals fired onto them. I recently bought a tray for my kitchen made out of ceramic tiles... apples are fired onto the tiles. It is beautiful.... just a thought!!!  They really sell well at art and craft shows.

[Marsha]

Cute idea!!  You always come up with the best ideas!

[Elizabeth]

Cute picture,  but purely my personal view is that glass on a solid backing is a waste of good glass.   But seeing as it's probably 'scrap' glass,  and the tiles were free - you never know - the public may love them!   Unfortunately you just never know till you try!

[annabelle]

Thanks for your thoughts, Kev...I have never mastered grouting something without a frame, or "lip" to hold the grout....and I wanted to show the nice color of the tile....This is just a first attempt at something I have somewhere in my head, but can't seem to make it materialize....annabelle

[annabelle]

Thanks, Yvonne....This piece was never intended to be a suncatcher, but a small wall hanging....I make glass on glass ungrouted framed pieces pretty often, and wanted a departure from that somewhat....and this is just an experiment....I asked for everyone's input because I have not decided whether or not I think is is worth persuing the concept....annabelle

[annabelle]

Thanks, Anne....I will consider that, especially since I have hundreds for these tiles in my back yard!  annabelle

[annabelle]

Thanks, Glassact, but I have no way of firing them....no kiln....can't afford it, and no room....Sounds like a great idea, though!  annabelle

[annabelle]

Thanks, Marsha....some of my ideas work better than others!  annabelle

[annabelle]

Yeah, Beth....You just never know.....I will certainly take it to the next show and watch folks reaction to it....That will tell me for sure if  the concept is worth working on....annabelle

[AglassAct]

Sorry you have no kiln... I don't either and I am sorry that I don't have one yet...but here is the pic of the tray that I purchased. I just love it.

[Lou Ann]

Love the tray...

I too don't have a kiln so what about using the paint that goes in the oven to create whatever design then affixing the tile to a square of wood or premade tray from Hobby Lobby and sealing the whole thing with something that will protect the paint as well as seal the wood -- my husband once made a desk top out of strips of different wood and sealed it with a 2 part epoxy and it has held up to my FIL's abuse for at least 10 yrs now

[Elizabeth]

Yeah, Beth....You just never know.....I will certainly take it to the next show and watch folks reaction to it....That will tell me for sure if  the concept is worth working on....annabelle

As long as you enjoy doing them and they are not too time consuming - make a couple of different designs and take them to the show.  You never know - you may have the next best seller!   Having fun is the whole of the law (IMHO!)

[annabelle]

That is a really nice tray!.....and LouAnn....I don't paint, either....and the oven in my kitchen stays off from first warm weather til first frost....But the idea is a good one!  Thanks....and, Beth....may just make a couple of variations (I mean, it is not like I lack materials to complete them!), and just see what kind of reactions I get.....Thanks for all the good input, Folks!  annabelle