Artisan tile setters give new life to leftover tiles
When it comes to sustainability, artisan tile setters give new life to tile scraps and tile left over from projects. Mosaic artists can source specific ceramic, stone, porcelain or glass materials for their projects to obtain a particular effect – but many use their vision and creativity to transform leftover scraps and shards from installation projects into works of art.
And then there are those artisan tile setters who use tile leftovers for education, training and experimentation.
From firebox to practice box
One such professional is Chris Stover, Owner/Tile Contractor at Stover Tile and Design in Los Osos, Calif. In February of 2024, Stover and his apprentice were finishing up a stunning residential fireplace using patterned tile. Stover, who attended the first Artisans Revolution in Tile (A.R.T.) tile artisan training in Milwaukee in 2023, was inspired to use this tile for a training exercise for his apprentice Heath Jones that would become a gift for their client.
Stover built a box out of foam board, and set tile on one side as a demonstration, then let Jones set the rest – including all the miter cuts. The next morning, as Stover was setting a kitchen backsplash, Jones grouted the box himself – which Stover pointed out was great practice for grouting miters.
“He had a lot of fun with it and got a ton of hands-on training,” Stover said. “I got to make something I’ve wanted to make for a while, and the client will get a one-off piece of custom decor.”
This training was on the clock, with Stover and his apprentice investing in training and practice that would pay off down the line. Stover said there was downtime for his apprentice on the job, after skimming the kitchen splash flat or while Stover set tile on it.
Jones grouted the box, running cuts in between waiting for the grout. Jones had cut all the tile a few months prior while Stover was breaking the jobsite down, so the tile was ready to go.
Master tile artisans applauded Stover’s approach! “Great way to teach the next generation,” wrote Joshua Nordstrom of Tierra Tile, who is one of the instructors of the NTCA-sponsored A.R.T. program. Lee Callewaert of Dragonfly Tile and Stone Works is Nordstrom’s fellow instructor for the program. He said, “ We’ve had many apprentices do things like this on the clock. Worth it!”
In a followup to the project, Stover noted, “The project has paid off for sure! The client was super stoked on the gift and Health is awesome at miters now. I [recently] had him cutting miters in zellige all day for a fireplace surround we just started.”
Sustaining a memory in mosaics
Aryk Snowberger of NTCA member company Snowbee Custom Tile in Canton, Ohio, was also in that inaugural A.R.T. class. He has taken what he learned with that first 107-piece koi mosaic and has developed his own style, choosing a range of subjects that have meaning to him or embody beauty or joy. And he keeps a stockpile of leftover tiles to create his tile art, giving new life to cut-off pieces.
“I use tile samples and even scrap tiles that I accumulate in every color, texture, and medium possible,” he said. “I have a broad arsenal at my disposal and regularly keep cut offs from jobs to use in the workshop. Having the right colors and textures adds realism and personal connection. I’ve yet to have to wait to make a mosaic because I needed to source anything. A lot of times the inspiration comes from the materials themselves. I’ve got to feel it, and love it, like the material selection and the mosaic itself – it has to be organic.”
Snowberger’s assortment of materials allowed him to create a memorial series of mosaics for a family friend and his son who perished this summer in a tragic rafting accident that devastated the community. Two mosaics depict Snowberger’s family friend Patrick Cross, hugging his five-year old son Braxton at a little league ball game. Another shows Braxton kissing his three-year old brother Holden. He made these heartfelt mosaics as tributes and remembrances for the family.
“You can say a lot with a mosaic without saying anything at all,” Snowberger said.
In addition to the tile pieces, Snowberger said the frames themselves are also repurposed by a carpenter out of wood from wood flooring projects, pallets, etc.
Cassie Cross, Patrick’s widow and mom to Braxton and Holden, was deeply moved by Snowberger’s gift. “I just wanted to give a shout out to Aryk and Rochelle for the incredible artwork they made for Holden and myself. So much love was poured into these. He deserves so much recognition and love for taking the time to create such a special keepsake for us. Thank you so much Aryk.”
Snowberger has expanded the use of these castoff tiles into artistic works of beauty and meaning. “Today, I am more thankful and proud of having acquired this training and skillset than ever before,” he said. “Our first training taught us that art is about evoking emotions. I personally experienced the real-time impact of my mosaics on the family and friends, including myself, at the funeral and afterwards. These mosaics will be treasured for a lifetime! Although I am filled with sadness, my heart is also full. Three-year-old Holden was all smiles and fist bumps when I saw him recently. It brings me joy to know that he will grow up cherishing a mosaic of him and his big brother. This is a testament to the profound impact of art and love. Rest in Heaven, Pat and Braxton.”
Lesley Goddin has been writing and journaling since her first diary at age 11. Her journey has taken her through a career in publishing and publicity, landing her the editor position of TileLetter and its special publications in 2006. Her goal is to educate, inspire, recognize and encourage those in the tile industry -- especially the tile and stone contractor.
