Southern Enterprise Awards 2021

85 | Southern Enterprise Awards 2021 Recognised as the Best Handcrafted Tile Company in 2021, 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 and business ethos so that you can take away a little piece of 13th-century innovation forged in the heart of Cornwall. Founder of Alchemy Tiles, Mel Chambers, 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. Alchemy Tiles uses 13th-century inlay techniques to create modern-day, individualised, and handcrafted 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 innovation into her craft, making each piece unique whilst utilising skills and techniques unmatched in the industry. In addition to her inlay crafts at Alchemy Tiles, Mel is a certified painter, sculptress, and former partner at Studio 45, a community pottery studio based on the Dartington Estate in Devon. Mel not only creates bespoke interiors but also travels extensively nationwide, exhibiting at some of the best craft shows, as well as being featured in 20 galleries across the UK. Mel has a vast background in business, permaculture, teaching, and presenting. Collectively, her inspiration, passion, and combination of self-taught and mentoring skills have allowed her to encapsulate pure creativity in all of her products. Locally sourced, handcrafted, and ethical, Mel continuously develops the technique, designs, and colours to ensure that she works to an authentic ethical and sustainable practice. Moreover, Mel is proud to be part of the ‘Made in Cornwall’ scheme, and after rigorous testing by trading standards, she has achieved top marks and Best Hand-Crafted Tile Company 2021 Aug21676 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. Mel’s 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. However, as many businesses have faced, the Covid-19 pandemic affected Mel’s work line. A lot of Mel’s work had initially been sold through galleries and art shows. However, she had to pivot her business towards an online format when those establishments had to close due to lockdowns. The initial execution of this was difficult, as tiles are tough to photograph, so Mel decided to upload videos to social media platforms showing how her products were made instead. Thus, being able to divert the effects of the pandemic and create a new source of brand recognition, all whilst staying connected to her customers and creating a national reach. 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 Contact Name: Mel Chambers Web Address: www.alchemytiles.com Contact Email: info@melchambers.com