Nature, texture, and color inspire us both. We love to incorporate these elements in our ceramic mosaic wall art and jewelry. In the process of creating one of a kind wall art, jewelry, and belt buckles, we like to employ a variety of artistic techniques and often combining ceramic and mosaic in the same works of art.
We begin with a simple slab of stoneware clay which we stamp and carve to create our design. After a bisque firing, we use a bright, colorful palette of underglazes and glazes to bring the piece to life then fire the art piece again.
When the temperature in the kiln reaches 1900 degrees, we grab our metal tongs and raku fire them by placing the pieces into a barrel and covering them with wood shavings. The tiles immediately burst into flames. Then we place a lid on the barrel, the flames go out and the smoke that is trapped in the barrel is absorbed by the unglazed clay. The clay turns a beautiful charcoal color. We love the thrilling and unpredictable nature of the raku fire as it causes the glazes to crackle and change in intriguing patterns and colors that cannot be achieved in kiln firing.
The final step is the addition of the magic of mosaic using semiprecious stones such as turquoise, smoky quartz, coral, amethyst, cultured pearl, among many others, to create unique and beautiful works of art.
These processes are not fast, and oftentimes not predictable, but that is what adds to their one of a kind charm. Much like “slow food,” we would call this “slow art.” Here patience is a virtue and is worth the wait.
We are Romy Kissel and Clare Bies and we happily come each day to our little studio, housed in a 110 year old grainery, in our mid-western hometown of Jasper, Indiana. We love to create one of a kind handmade pieces of art and are thrilled to be able to offer them directly from our studio.
We welcome custom orders and work closely with homeowners and designers to make unique pieces of art that match your style and budget. Learn about the Custom Order process here>>
In the Studio
A lifelong friendship developed as the children of two sets of friends evolved into a creative journey together for us, Romy Kissel and Clare Backer Bies. After exploring our own paths in life, we returned to our hometown, started putting bright glaze to clay and making gifts for family and friends. We design, drawn, carve, stamp, layer color, and mosaic our artwork pieces in our inspiring studio, a hundred ten-year-old grainery nestled deep in the corn and soybean fields of southern Indiana. Everyday we are inspired by the surrounding nature and incorporate those elements, textures, and rich colors into our work. In the spirit of fun and friendship, we hope that others enjoy our work as much as we love creating each piece together.
