Creating a Bungalow Livingroom from scratch
Interview: Tile Letter
Tile Road Tripping
Over the holidays, Layl, Josh, and our daughter Elliot took a road trip. We drove from Minneapolis to Vancouver, BC, to see our oldest daughter. Along the way we stopped at several pottery, tile, and art places. One highlight was stopping at Medalta Pottery, where Elliot was an artist in residence in 2019. It was an amazing place with original beehive kilns — now used as a museum.
Traveling through rural Canada by car was a wonderful experience. We were able to pack our car with all of our necessities, so we had little contact with others. (OK, we did stop for Tim Horton donuts three times — it was a must!) When the border guard asked where we were going — knowing where we came from — he was shocked at our idea to drive 2000 miles across the Canadian tundra. The mountains, prairies, and badlands were all amazing to take in. There was an incredible amount of wildlife to enjoy: eagles, coyotes, hawks, big horn sheep, antelope, and deer. It always kept our interest.
This trip was a great refresher of ideas, and fuel for the soul.
25 Years Of Clay Squared
Practical Preservation podcast
On this week’s episode of the Practical Preservation Podcast, Danielle spoke with Josh Blanc of Clay Squared to Infinity in Minneapolis Minnesota. From their website, “Clay Squared crafts handmade tiles in many shapes and colors for kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, and as art tile. We feature tile by local and national artists and offer the largest selection of historic reproduction tile lines in the US.”
Danielle and Josh discussed matching historic materials and why it is better to preserve and restore than renovate and redesign historic properties and homes. They also discuss why buying from small businesses is better for your historic home.
You can find Clay Squared online at www.claysquared.com, on Instagram @claysquared, and contact them by phone 612-781-6409, or by email josh@claysquared.com
Diary of a Tile Addict
Clay Squared was featured by the Diary of a Tile Addict in September. Here is what they said about us.
“There is no end to the amount of incredible tiles out there. It seems as if each day we are finding something or someone new, and its almost always worth sharing. And today we’ve got our eye on another company… Based in Minneapolis, Clay Squared‘s artist hub creates a range of handmade tiles in all sorts of shapes and sizes, patterns and glazes, as well as made to match authentic reproductions of period pieces.”
October 2021 Layl
Layl is now running her intro classes through Airbnb Experience. Multiple dates available including:
Saturday, October 16th 1:00 to 3:00If you have an expired Groupon you can still use it at one of these classes. Just email layl@claysquared.com to let her know you plan to attend.
September 2021 Clay Squared Newsletter
Believe it or not, Clay Squared is turning 25 years old on November 5th! It is almost unfathomable that we have been able to play with clay for so long. It all started in our attic studio, an 11’x 11′ foot space. We blasted off (very slowly at first), occupying four studios over the course of 25 years. Now Josh’s and Layl’s studio is 3000 square feet, and we own an arts building! The adventure has had many stories of success and failure, experiments and big ideas, and it has been a wonderful time. None of it could have been done without all the great people who worked for us and helped us over the years, and all the people who purchased our work, helping us achieve our dreams of being full time artists.
Click here to read the whole story
September 2021 Layl Newsletter
Fall seemed to arrive exactly on September 1st this year! I have been canning lots of tomatoes and we are starting to think about cooler days. For now we’ll enjoy one of the best months in Minnesota. With all the challenges in the world we hope you and your family are safe and also enjoying some perfect fall weather.
August 2021 Clay Squared Newsletter
The Cosmic Rain Bathroom
August 2021 Layl Newsletter
Arts District Palette Party
Art to Change the World presents
A Pop Up Palette Party hosted by
Sociable Ciderwerks
August 8th, 12-8pm
Minneapolis, MN
Click here to read the rest of the newsletter
July 2021 Clay Squared
Most summers, and throughout the year, Josh looks for interns to join us and learn the Clay Squared tile making process. This summer we are taking on two interns at the same time — Emily and Oliver!
Emily is a student at Minnesota State University of Moorhead. She is majoring in Studio Arts Drawing & Illustration, and minoring in art therapy. Emily has been learning how to be a kiln master by unloading and loading the kilns and learning how to glaze tiles. You can see her work on Instagram at.@skhellatonart
July 2021 Layl Newsletter
Owatonna Arts CenterHealing Arts Gallery Show
July 1st to October 31st
Owatonna, MN
Pictured: “There were even Windows in the Clouds- Chapters of Childhood”
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June 2021 Clay Squared Newsletter
We have created downloadable and printable drawing versions of our most popular projects. This is a great way to see all the aspects that make up a kitchen or fireplace. We have many customers write in there own measurements and scan them back to us so we have figure out the amount of tile you need. Click here to read more
June 2021 Layl Newsletter
Women’s Work
Old Courthouse Arts Center
Woodstock, IL
https://www.oldcourthouseartscenter.org/galleryhrs.html
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May 2021 Clay Squared Newsletter
Randall Johnson
Randy is our latest crew member to join Clay Squared to Infinity. He has an extensive art and clay background; graduating from MCAD, a photographer, painter and a docent at the MIA. Randy also has worked at many pottery and tile places in Minneapolis, notably 212 Pottery, Dock 6 Pottery, and North Prairie Tileworks. His extensive background in art and clay have been very helpful for him in jumping right into projects and working in the studio. We look forward to seeing how good he is at foosball!
Click here to read the full newsletter
May 2021 Layl Newsletter
Art A Whirl
Friday May 14, 5pm to 10pm
Saturday May 15th, 12pm to 8pm
Sunday May 16th, 12pm to 5pm
We will be participating in the scaled down 2020 Art A Whirl this year. We’d love to see your masked faces if you are up for an outing! If you aren’t, Layl is also participating in the online version along with many other artists.
Click here to read the whole newsletter
April 2021 Clay Squared
We would be remiss if we did not mention the tension in our city at this moment. With the trial of George Floyd starting closing arguments this coming week and the murder of Daunte Wright by another police officer last week, the feeling of Deja Vu is prevalent. National guard troops are stationed around the city, which creates even more unease.
For us, we stand in solidarity with our community, those looking and fighting for a future where Black people do not continue to die at the hands of those meant to protect and serve. These violent events aren’t singular, they are systemic. In the end, the only person you can change is yourself. We continue to make changes in our thinking and actions to do what we can to try to have a positive impact on all these overwhelming issues.
Hopefully our newsletter only can allow us a little escape from the heavy issues facing our city and society. If you want to donate to Daunte Wright’s family click here, https://gofund.me/3f93f01d
We wish you good health and safety.