Recognised as the Best Handmade Tiles Company in 2021 at the SME Business Awards, Shop Cornish champion Mel Chambers, Founder of Alchemy Tiles, utilises ancient hand carving techniques and inlays with skill and precision.
Mel dedicates her first-class excellence and innovation continuously towards her customers so that you can take away a little piece of 13th Century innovation forged in the heart of Cornwall.
Mel combines her passion for clay and ancient techniques, as well as philosophy and poetry, with her ethical and sustainable business to produce works of enduring beauty. She creates individualised, handmade tiles that feature unique and inspiring imagines, quotes and poetry into a personalised design.
From individual tiles to the interior design of kitchens and bathrooms, there is no limit to where these creations can be used.
Based on the Helford River near Falmouth in Cornwall, Mel is a self-taught artist who brings exciting ideas into her craft, making each piece unique whilst utilising skills unmatched in the industry. In addition to her inlay crafts Mel is a certified painter and sculptress.
To showcase her work Mel travels nationwide, exhibiting at some of the best craft shows, including Shop Cornish sponsored Fowey Christmas Market and Cornwall Home & Garden Show, as well as being featured in 20 galleries across the UK.
Locally sourced, handcrafted, and ethical, Mel continuously develops the technique, designs, and colours to ensure that she works to authentic ethical and sustainable practices.
Moreover, Mel is proud to be part of Shop Cornish and the ‘Made in Cornwall’ scheme, and after rigorous testing by trading standards, she has achieved top marks and is part of a remarkable and brilliant group of Cornish artisans creating genuine Cornish products.
Keen on preserving the ocean and earth, Mel has used her inspiration for the environment to carry out her work as ethically and sustainably as possible. Mel brings the beauty of life into her work with the addition of poetry, inspiring quotes, and images that captures the enchantment of her naturalistic surroundings.
Overall, her work portrays the wild’s splendour that encircles people’s lives, such as family, friends, and wildlife.
As part of this practice, Mel has developed the opportunity to use her business as a force for good and has created several exclusive ranges for various Cornish conservation projects and charities, donating profits to each cause.
Currently, Mel is one of the only creative tile makers in the UK still using the 13th-century hand carving and inlay method which allows her to produce some of the most distinctive pieces of art within the nation.
Bespoke designs provide an opportunity for customers to have something made just for them. Something that combines a little bit of heart in each personalised item. The spirit of Alchemy Tiles has the customer at its heart. Its focus is to create something bespoke, individual, with significant meaning and to stand the test of time.
Alchemy Tiles keeps this magical ancient craft alive by bringing a part of history to the modern-day world and incorporating a bit of Cornish love into the process.
Explore the Alchemy Tiles website to get inspired for your own piece of timeless Cornish ceramic art for your home or to find Cornish Gifts for a loved one.