Tile Inlay

[Marct]

Hello,

I have just started doing tile inlay by hand, I am an artist, as are all tile layers, but all these are my own artwork / designs.
I dont have any experience in waterjet, or the pricing of waterjet design, so my question is this...
A. is there a market out there for this kind of stuff?
B. does anyone know what it cost's to have something like this cut into stone or ceramic Tile?

Any help would be appreciated.

apileoftile.com
artisansofcolorado.com

[RedRock]

Wow, nice work !!!! And all done by hand.

I don't know what waterjet designs cost but why compete with them. Advertise your artistic abilities. I think there is a market, but don't look for it on Craig's list or ebay.

I haven't done anything that artistic but any custom work that I do is charged at an hourly rate. I think I'm reasonable but not cheap. So charge what your time is worth - at a minimum, not what you think the "market" is willing to pay.

[Marct]

Tank you very much for your reply.

[quinocampa]

I think I've seen other work like yours over in the Pro's Hangout. There are some artists who do a similar work to yours, that perhaps could advise you. I recall some fancy birds and flowers adorning a restaurant or club entrance? I think the look is wildly distinctive and one-of-a-kind, far more engaging than a tile pattern or even a medallion -- those are more common, though still demanding extensive skill. I think you could find many ritzy places that would tell you what they'd like, or perhaps commission one of your own designs. If I go to another hang-a-gewgaw-on-the-wall restaurant, "look, a rustic canoe paddle and an old maple syrup can!" I'll puke. But stone and other natural materials? Embellished with artisan carvings, paint, etc? Who wouldn't look at that for hours? Go for it, but get some advice from other artists.

[pooky]

nice design - nice execution -- diggin' that

very hard to market, but designers are your best bet -- cold call with samples

and . . .

maybe some clever glossy post cards showing exactly what you showed here specifically mailed to designers in your area -- then broaden your mailings from there.

Some distributors would likely keep you on file as well -- it's such a narrow market, but your work looks good and the cream generally rises to the top.

kudos and good luck

[Marct]

Hey, Thank you all for the kind response's.

[tracy d]

WOW! That's really awesome stuff you have there! I think there is more of a market than some folks might think!! That is a true artform that some people are definitely willing to pay for! I would go one step farther and take some of your work around to kitchen design centers and tile places, architects, builders, etc. Keep it up, it is beautiful! (And visit the Professionals Site!)