This may not help you with your budget issues, but Fireclay sells a thin brick that is absolutely beautiful. You can order it online below at $16/sf for standard tile. Special sizing and custom glazes are extra.

Unfortunately, Fireclay has also "reconfigured" their web site and made it completely useless. When you've made yourself crazy trying to navigate it, switch to the more useful link below. I absolutely love this material. The images don't begin to do it justice. I hope it works out for one or both of you. And post images when you can!

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireclay at Dwell

I love these! I assume they would be hard to clean as a range backsplash?

Feisty, no. This is glazed brick. It should clean as easily as glazed porcelain, with the exception that the surface may not be as uniform. Recommended grout lines are 3/8", so as long as you seal your grout, which you should do anyway, you won't have any cleaning/maintenance issues.

Thanks EAM44 :)

not sure where you are located but last week i saw someone in nyc posted about 23 sq ft available for $400 on craigslist.