A celebration of nature, craftsmanship, and timeless design.
Hand-pressed from rich Redstone clay and finished with a soft foggy white satin glaze, the Summer Bee Tile brings the warmth of the Arts and Crafts tradition into your home.
Measuring approximately 4 ¼ inches square and ⅜ inch thick, each tile is carefully made using century-old techniques, inspired by the artistry of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works. Designed as a companion piece to the Winter Owl Tile, this bee represents the spirit of summer: industry, harmony, and the quiet beauty of nature at work.
Every line, every contour is a reminder that simple things — crafted with care — hold lasting meaning. Slight variations in the glaze and texture honor the handmade process, ensuring no two tiles are exactly alike.
Whether it becomes a striking accent in your kitchen, a thoughtful gift for a nature lover, or a timeless addition to your remodeling project, the Summer Bee Tile brings authenticity, story, and quiet beauty to any space.
✅ “Another beautiful piece of art, a gift for myself!”
✅ “Beautiful, just as described. A fine addition to my kitchen remodeling.”
✅ “Thoughtfully packed and truly special.”
Bring the spirit of summer into your home — a season captured in clay, crafted by hand, and made to last for generations.
Yes! We deliver throughout Hunterdon County, NJ, with a $10 minimum order. Choose your delivery window when ordering, or select “Next Available.”
Orders are left in a reusable canvas bag at your front door—no need to be home. Leave your previous bag out for us to collect. You can fill bags with donations to the Flemington Food Pantry and we will collect on their behalf.
Great question — and the answer is: mostly, yes… with a little help and a lot of heart.
The majority of what you see on The Sage Dad site is handcrafted by me, right here in our home workshop and kitchen. Some of our items — especially the beautiful, practical ones — are made by my wonderful mom Marilyn or my father-in-law Ed, whose skills and support make this work possible.
That said, we also feature a small collection of curated goods — thoughtfully selected from like-minded makers and small businesses. These items are:
Whether it’s handcrafted here or sourced from a fellow artisan, you can trust that every item we carry is something we’d use in our own home — and often do.
We believe in thoughtful work, meaningful connection, and goods that are made to last.
That’s the heart behind everything we offer.
The Sage Dad is more than a name — it’s a mission.
We’re about showing up with heart, embracing the chaos, and raising confident, kind, and curious daughters (and sons!) through intentional, joyful parenting.
Whether you found us through a loaf of sourdough, a podcast episode, or a delivery bag doodle, welcome. You’re in good company.
At The Sage Dad, we believe that craftsmanship, like character, is built one piece at a time — with patience, with heart, and often, with a little bit of serendipity.
Let me introduce you to Edward Tezlaf, my father-in-law, a proud Flemington native and the artist behind some of the most beautiful tiles you’ll ever see. I’m honored to have his work featured in our shop — each tile a one-of-a-kind piece that brings warmth, soul, and a timeless touch to any home.
Long before he ever knew there was a name for it, Ed was drawn to the Arts and Crafts style. It just felt right — something that resonated deep within him. Over the years, as a remodeling contractor, he especially loved the rare chance to work on homes built in the Craftsman tradition, where honest materials and handmade details were celebrated.
His journey into tile making started with a twist of fate.
While working on a remodeling project, Ed spotted an old concrete planter, destined for the dumpster. Embedded in the planter were beautiful, timeworn ceramic tiles. He recognized them instantly as Moravian tiles — handcrafted pieces from the early 1900s, full of history and soul.
Instead of letting it be thrown away, he saved it — and made a promise to himself. He would learn how to recreate it.
That led him to the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown, Pennsylvania — just an hour from home, but a world away in spirit. Founded in the late 1890s, the MPTW was one of the cornerstones of the American Arts & Crafts movement. It was there that Ed learned the centuries-old techniques he still uses today.
At first, he made planters, large and small, using authentic Moravian tiles. But the urge to create his own designs grew stronger. After taking formal tile-making classes, Ed began crafting his own tiles — pieces that blend tradition with his unique artistic voice.
Today, Ed lives in Salisbury, North Carolina, where he works out of his home studio. His old manual Gare kiln hums with life, and with a good radio and a well-loved iPod playing through a set of speakers, he gets lost in the rhythm of making.
He’s taken more classes, read countless books and articles, watched tutorials, and — most importantly — learned through endless trial and error. Through that hands-on dedication, he’s developed a style that is all his own — grounded in tradition, but unafraid to branch into new directions.
Simply put, he loves what he does.
And watching him work, watching him light up when he pulls a finished piece from the kiln, is a beautiful reminder:
When you find something you love, time slips away, and meaning finds you.
I’m proud to share Ed’s work with you — not just because of the beauty he creates, but because of the story and spirit he pours into every tile.
Currently we are not taking orders; however, please feel free to send interest to rob@thesagedad.com and we will contact you as soon as ordering is available.
