Checked with my local ceramic place - looking around $200sqm to do my own glazing on bisque fired tiles (including purchase of tiles - the tiles only come in square grrr!) To make my own I'd need to make a mold and do 200-300 of them! Then I have to consider that clay has a memory (apparently) so if a corner of the tile flips up coming out of the mold it will remember that kink when it gets fired no matter how flat it was when it got air dried! Today I went to a discontinued tile place and the guy was very unhelpful. He spent most of my time there complaining about people who come in wanting something different. He also told me it would cost me a fortune - $200-250 a sqm (I told him I'd been looking at tiles for $800sqm so $250 is no problem). Anyway, long story short, he wouldn't let me look around due to OH&S rules and wasn't offering to help me find something, which amazes me that he'd rather just have customers come in to buy two or three replacement tiles and sends away someone who's prepared to spend $2000 in one hit? Then he gave me the names of some tile stores that have "different" tiles (all of which I've been to already and er, no they don't). So this is how I'm feeling right now...

rhaine .....We do have a lead time because all our tiles are made to order in Mexico and Morocco... I think we have something for you! And would love your business if you like our ranges... Let me know if you need any assistance or help! :) This shape is perfect for you and we can customise in any colour! :) We have so many other options too! Have you been on to our website ? We are located in Melbourne, where are you based? Would love you to visit our showroom - serious eye candy!!

Not to mention we have the exact tile you are looking for and have put in your elevation find below!

LASTLY.... I only saw your query now.... All our tiles are hand-painted but come pre finished with a sealant... i.e are entirely waterproof and can even be used in a shower space! We recommend a sealant to the top for lifetime reassurance however would be suitable to be cleaned with warm water and soap

Ok, not lastly.... :)SORRY... All our moroccan tiles are glazed tiles. :)

Thanks G.A.B.B.E. I'll take another look at your site. Last time I looked you don't have the same colours for the cross as the star? I know a lot of people like to do them in different colours for contrast but I like a one colour glaze that has variations in it. I've noticed that when it's two different colours on the same wall the star shape gets lost and the cross stands out too much (and the star is the part I like best!). How much are your fish scale tiles roughly? I like the fish scale but I was looking at the dragon scale from Poland because I've seen a lot of people posting fish scale photos online (which makes me wonder if it's going to look too 2015 in a few years time). Sorry, I know I'm really fussy but I've invested years dreaming about my mountains house and I don't want to live in something that's going to bug me every time I look at it. I've had to compromise on so much for my exterior because I'm building in Flame Zone and now the outside looks nothing like what I ever wanted, just to reduce the fire risk and get plans through council, so the interiors are especially important to me.

Oh, and I'm in Sydney, otherwise I'd be in your showroom ASAP!

I had a lot of Tile Photos and shapes on my old Computer XP But the new one is Apple and I was Wondering why I couldn't Find Things that should have been there..The best ones are those that fit together as a complete Panel. It is True that it is not easy to Make The Shapes yourself...I did a tile Course a few years ago....You can Roll the Clay out and then print out the shape you require. (You need to spend time making or getting a Metal Worker to Make several Shapes in Steel...It is like Pastry Cutting ..Probably would take too long...You are right that some Clays are Easier to Work with...There is a type of Terracotta that is very forgiving...But a lot of the white or beige clays will crack very easily and are too fussy.. You have to leave things to dry out slowly over about 4 weeks ...The Kiln needs to be heated up very slowly any rushing and crafts will happen . I still have my old Computer so I hope to get Photo's unto a clip so that I can move them to iPhoto...Good luck with your Project....

I was considering the cookie cutter idea (my Dad could probably make one) and I've also looked up how to make a mold from plaster but I'm worried about getting the formed tile out of the mold evenly.

With the cookie cutter you would press down hard and cut right through the 1 cm thick clay.. Made by using a large rolling pin riding each side on a strip of wood 1 cm thick ......With a plaster Mould it is often easier to Make it in two halves you then have to smooth out the outside so nothing catches, and then paint it with washing up liquid before pouring a mould over both. So that when they are all dry you are able to turn it over,and you have a larger mould with the 2 inserts that make the product. Also you have to make sure the big mould has a flat base and doesn't wobble about. The only draw back is there will be a line which may need to be scraped flat. The cookie cutter pieces would have to lie on a cement board for a few weeks to dry.....M.

rhaine.... all of our tiles are made to order... we can do whatever you want.. we have done for many clients the star cross pattern in one colour... the website just illustrates what you can do with two tones and varying patterns... Our Star/Cross tiles in any colour specified - $480.00 + GST/SQM

- Image below

Our Fish Scale tiles in any colour specified $520.00 + GST/SQM

- Image below

I would highly recommend not making these type of tiles on your own... It is tricky and you will most likely find yourself back where you started - looking to buy them.... You have been waiting so long - you want them to be perfect and exactly right. ( Just my advice after doing this for so long and seeing how difficult it is to produce such intricate and complicated shapes perfectly)

Ill leave it to you if you need further assistance please get in touch.

info@tilesofezra.com

All the best!! :)

Georgia Ezra

rhaine have you considered approaching a local ceramicist and commissioning the tile?

I asked at the ceramic place but they couldn't think of anyone they know who makes tiles. I'm wondering if I should learn and start up a business! Lol!

yes you should...

Even the guy who runs the ceramic place was lamenting the fact that no one does amazing glazes on tiles anymore.

new zealand?

http://glaze.middleearthtiles.co.nz/nzmade.html

http://www.bespoketileandstone.com/handmade-tiles/handmade-tiles-a-lost-art-rediscovered

Definitely a niche market there! This lot are in melbourne.