http://kirstiebain.com Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:25:14 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en This gorgeous girl was my first Akita (and she was from Mangere, like me).  She was true to the Akita type: dignified, strong minded and Ichiban (Number 1).  She gave us four beautiful pups, and a lifetime of sharing her amazing knowledge of how it all works. This dog was one ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=444 I thought I'd try a new take on an old favourite.  This is made with the same design as on my Fern Tiles, but with a practical function.  I had envisioned a different result with the glaze combination (a technique where multiple glazes are applied on top of one another ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=524 These cute native shrubs are widely cultivated and hybridised, appearing not only in the wild, but also as specimen garden plants. These pieces are carved and cut-away while they are still wet out of the mold (‘leather-hard‘).  After drying and firing, the various glazes are applied using a technique called ‘glaze-butting’. [caption ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=205 After many years of contemplating entering the ceramic competition at the Royal Easter Show, last year I thought it was worth a go.  And it was!  I won first place with my Teardrop Kowhai Vase, and third place with my Manuka Bowl. [caption id="attachment_20" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="Teardrop Kowhai Vase - First ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=518 I've had to take things a little bit slowly over the last month, as I have broken my right thumb and the healing procees can't be rushed...  Fortunately I had already cut-out and tidied this piece beforehand. This is a lovely thin piece, and has a delicate feel.  The interior glaze ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=514 This piece represents two generations and how each supports the other, so as to develop, nurture and sustain. Carved and cut-out while wet ('leather-hard'), these tiles are allowed to dry, then fired.  Multiple coats of glaze are then applied. [caption id="attachment_550" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Fern Tile - 30cm - $230"][/caption] http://kirstiebain.com/?p=97 Korowai means feather cloak in Maori.  As soon as I finished this design, I knew the name. I had been wanting to make another Tui vase for many years now (the first I made was ’slip-trailed’, and so time consuming that I kept it).   A friend wanted ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=495 I got this dog as a 5 week old puppy, when I was just 18 myself.  He was definately a true love and I ended up having him for 16 1/2 years.  He was 13 years old in this picture. Having a smart/stupid (Bullie/Huntaway) dog in my life was certainly entertaining, ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=460 Korowai means feather cloak in Maori.  As soon as I finished this design, I knew the name. I had been wanting to make another Tui vase for many years now (the first I made was 'slip-trailed', and so time consuming that I kept it).   A friend wanted to commission me ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=454 The waka (canoe) was how the Maori arrived in Aotearoa (NZ). There is no ease in cutting this piece, as it is done while still wet from the mold (’leather-hard’). While the piece is upside-down, it is designed and carved by hand, and then the details are cut-out.  Then the piece ... http://kirstiebain.com/?p=426