Ordinarily I would have zapped this comment on a recent story on Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert as spam:

But I was intrigued enough by the Ebay listing linked to contact the Fort Meyers, FL-based proprietor and learn why he was moved to immortalize Hissoner in such a way; who else he was tiling; and if he was really sitting on 1,000 limited-edition Lepperts.

Turns out the artist, one Kosmas Ballis and his company, Edison Clay, have carved out quite a niche for themselves making limited-edition commemorative tiles of all sorts and selling them online.

Here's Kosmas' note back to me (links mine):

Hello Mike,

Thank you for your quick response.

First of all I must formally introduce myself ... My real name is Kosmas Ballis and I am an accomplished sculptor (a few of my pieces can be seen on the ebay site where the tiles are) and I have work in some prominent museums here and around the world. I try to keep the tiles separate from the sculpture but that doesn't always happen. I'm currently working on a huge mural involving these tiles.

There truly is a market for the tiles and they have really taken off. My company, Edison Clay, has been making this series of tiles (called "Pop Tiles") since just before the presidential inauguration in January (beginning with the Presidential Series). I have worked extensively in the tile format before.

I would love to make a tile of everyone on the planet but there are time restrictions so I have started out by using popular identities; hence the Pop Tile moniker. I'm currently working on the presidents, 1st ladies, governors, local celebrities from local media and media personalities, historical figures, poets, scientists, sports folk, foreign dignitaries, etc. I do not have any sort of agenda (with who I choose to place on a tile) and I am in the middle (politically) when it comes to my own personal opinions about who is represented on the tile.

The most exciting thing that I have acheived with the tiles is, is once news happens, I can have it on a tile within a day; up on ebay within minutes of the event happening, and shipped out within 20 days (from the time it is ordered). The 20 days gives me plenty of time in case there are 1000 ordered all at once! So far, in the company's first 4 months, we have sold about 1000 tiles. The Presidential Series and Ponzi Series (Madoff and Allen Stanford), have been the biggest sellers.

This process is sorta like offering a snapshot of history as it happens. It's also a souvenir, and it's limited in edition, so there is a finite supply. It's also a work of art and each tile is slightly varied in the way it is formed, glazed, and fired in the kiln. And there is also a trade secret in the way that the tiles are finished (something I haven't seen done in the ceramics medium before). Needless-to-say, they are very unique and noone else is doing it (as of now). It's very exciting to be on the cutting edge with this.

Some tiles are in production from the get go. Others; I will make a few initially, but once the molds are made, I can make them as I go. If I need to, I can produce 1000 in 20 days (while simultaneously working on different projects). Sometimes I simply place an image online (before the original is carved) and that works just as well. The Tom Leppert tile began initial production today. I never have crazy expectations of what will or won't sell. It's pretty cool seeing what happens with what I throw out there. I've met a lot of people in the short time I've been doing this; sometimes from friends or family members of the people who are on the tile. It's very rewarding and I feel like I'm able to provide something special. People can identify with them. The bottom line is: I make tiles of those who are deserving of them and Mayor Leppert was ideal.

I hope that helps Mike. I never expected a reply, but I was happy to oblige. If you have any other questions about anything then please feel free to contact me.

Cheers,

Kosmas Ballis

Given the bespoke nature of the technology we use here at PegNews, I gotta say that I feel some kinship with Kosmas' techie insta-news-driven little enterprise. Who else in the DFW area would you like to see tiled?