Welcome
Original ceramic tiles and mosaics, made one at a time in my New Jersey studio from red clay and rich mid-fire glazes. Rooted in the tradition of early 20th-century decorative arts and inspired by America’s national parks, vintage design, and the enduring beauty of handcrafted objects. Installed in carefully sourced antique frames.
I'm Charley Dimmick, founder and creator of Off Kilnter. Welcome to my site. Please browse my gallery and custom commissions below.
Gallery
Every Off Kilnter tile and mosaic is an original — hand-pressed, hand-carved, glazed, and twice-fired in a kiln. No two pieces are exactly alike.
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Custom Commissions
commissions:
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Framed or installed (indoor) memorial mosaics for loved ones
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Individual tiles for wedding and anniversary gifts
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Park (US National, State, UK) sign mosaics depicting family members or friends
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Small interior architectural installations
I create tiles and mosaics for personal satisfaction. Some of my most meaningful pieces have been custom commissions - mosaics and tiles created for a specific person, place, or occasion. I am happy to discuss potential commissions that involve my areas of interest: early 20th century decorative arts, national and other park signage, antique advertising, and antique, hand carved frames. I am a one person operation, so commissions take real time depending on the work involved!
how it works
01
Consultation
We discuss your inspiration, dimensions, time factors, and the space where the piece will live.
02
Design & Creation
I create the design and create molds as necessary to complete the design. Tiles are pressed with the molds and mosaic pieces are hand cut from the design, all from raw red clay, following the approved design.
04
finish
Tiles may be finished at that point. Mosaics may be assembled, mounted in antique frames and grouted. Or tiles and/or mosaics may be installed and grouted in customer locations either by me or by the customer.
03
firing
The dried pieces are bisque fired in a kiln. Glazes are hand applied based on the design and the pieces are fired to a mid fire finish.
select Commissions
Ready to Start Your Custom Project?
Whether it's for your home, a gift, or a business, I'd love to discuss how we can bring your vision into clay.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
The Red Clay Journey
A Foundation in Fine Arts. Encouragement from my junior high and high school teachers set me on a creative path that led to a BFA in Fine Arts from Denison University. From there, I built a career in corporate graphics before earning an MBA and moving into project management — work that put me shoulder-to-shoulder with design architects on major projects for years. Along the way, extensive travel deepened my appreciation for natural beauty, especially the country's national parks; for British architecture, ceramics, and design; and for the craftsmanship of early 20th-century decorative arts.
The Tile Works Epiphany. Everything changed during a tour of the Moravian Tile Works in Pennsylvania. Henry Mercer's designs stopped me in my tracks. I enrolled in classes at the Tile Works immediately. The day after retiring from project management, I began a short-term apprenticeship there, absorbing the hands-on production methods that define my work today. What started as a simple tour became Off Kilnter — and I haven't put down the clay since, creating mosaics that honor tradition while pushing creative boundaries.
My goal is to create original and unusual tiles and mosaics that you will find a place for in your special place, cabin, hideaway, cottage, studio, library, study. That is, anywhere where you want reminders of the outdoors, parks, past hikes or trips, or just pieces that fit in with your unique decorative motif.
01
Design
Plan the pattern, tile shapes, and overall layout.
02
Mold & Form
Create plaster molds and press clay into them, trimming each tile to shape.
03
Bisque Fire
A first low-temperature firing that strengthens the clay while keeping it porous.
04
Glaze
Apply glaze by dipping, brushing, or selectively wiping back to reveal textures.
05
Glaze Fire
A second firing where the glaze melts and fuses into a smooth, glass-like finish.
06
Assemble & Grout
Tiles are set in place, grouted, and framed to complete the final ceramic piece.
CREATIVE PROCESS
Get in Touch
I am currently accepting new mosaic and tile commissions. Reach out with your ideas, questions about upcoming art shows, or general inquiries about handmade ceramics.
Direct Email