If you've ever wandered through Sticks and Steel and found yourself captivated by the shimmering blocks of art that practically glows with color and meaning—you’ve probably met a Houston Llew Spiritile.
These stunning, enamel-on-copper pieces aren’t just beautiful to look at (though wow, are they ever!)—they tell stories. And around here, we’ve been collecting and sharing those stories with you for over 15 years.
So, who is Houston Llew?
Houston is an artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. Back in the early 2000s, he was fresh out of college, working a job that didn’t feed his creative soul. By chance, he met the late master enamelist Zingaro, and something clicked. Under Zingaro’s wing, Houston fell in love with the centuries-old art of vitreous enamel—a technique where powdered glass is fused to metal in a kiln. Get a quick tutorial here.
Each Spiritile is crafted by hand using enamel on copper, framed in wood, and features a quote paired with a vibrant image. The magic is in the marriage of words and imagery—each tile tells a tiny, powerful story. Whether it’s about love, courage, adventure, or family, there’s always one that feels like it was made just for you.
Why we keep coming back
When we first brought Spiritiles into the shop (next time you see Terri, have her tell you the story), we knew they were special. But we had no idea how deeply they would connect with you—our customers, friends, and fellow collectors. Over the years, we’ve helped people find the perfect piece to celebrate birthdays, weddings, retirements, and “just because” moments. Some of you have even started your own collections, and we love hearing how each tile marks a chapter in your story.
Spiritiles are timeless, giftable, and oh-so-personal. And yes—they’re still made by hand in Atlanta, just as they’ve always been.
Retired tiles and the thrill of the chase
Another reason Spiritiles are so collectible? Houston retires designs periodically, which means once they're gone… they’re really gone. (And if you’ve ever had your eye on one only to come back and find it missing—you know the heartbreak!)
We do our best to keep current Spiritiles in stock and will always let you know when new ones arrive.
Pro tip: sign up for our emails or follow us on social—we’ll keep you in the loop on launches and retirements.
A familiar face and a favorite display
If you’ve been in the shop lately, you may have seen us restocking and arranging our Spiritile display. We love helping customers find just the right tile—whether it’s a meaningful gift or your next “had to have it” moment.
Come see them in person!
There’s nothing quite like seeing a Spiritile in person—the colors, the shine, the detail, the message. Whether you're adding to your collection or discovering them for the first time, come by the shop and take a peek. We’d love to show you our favorites (and hear which ones speak to you).
Houston once said:
"I want people to feel connected—to a moment, to a memory, to each other."
That’s exactly what his Spiritiles do. And after 15+ years, we’re still smitten.
Discover your perfect Spiritile today—shop our collection of Houston Llew Spiritiles online now!
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