The studio looks better than ever. 
Thanks to all the artists that helped put it together and masses of visitors that made it all worthwhile! 

Thanks to Amy Manfield for all the updates,  the Auckland White Night team that put it together and thanks for including what appears to be the only Artist`s Studio in the event.

Its a little bit of Melbourne in Ponsonby.
My 4x G grandparents immigrated to Melbourne1841. Grandfather to NZ in 1928.

Some might say it explains alot!

Nestling somewhere between the 50's and 60`s the new ceramic lights have a touch of  nostalgia with some intricate detailing transforming the shapes into a glowing sculpture that suits many spaces especially apartments with its warm romantic ambience. 

Achieving the glow requires a steady hand and accuracy, the Pleats Light has 1600 2.5mm holes!

Pleats                   180  x 125 mm dia
Fins                       190  x 115
Pineapple            165  x 145
Small Cylinders  200  x  85

What a relief not to be exhibiting at either the Sydney or Auckland Gift trade shows someone really needs to check the calendar! 
 We are opened all days and even later than the tradeshows in the heart of Ponsonby. Which is about to explode with retail developments.

I get the feeling the industry is on the road to getting another slap. Over the last 30 years its done nothing but stagnate compared to the growth of other sectors ie music wine, food, fashion, design, technology.
Now its got to the point where it can be dominated by a few individuals at the expense of the viability of a whole industry. Step out of line and suddenly its very difficult to do business.
It wasn`t so long ago Eon Design store died at the expense of a huge number of suppliers, they dominated for over a decade if you weren`t in, you were not good enough was the unwritten byline for media, consumers, trade buyers to senior government officials, well it looks like its about to happen again.
Which leaves an export potential industry and the ability to employ thousands  without any major retail front representing (dominating)  NZ Design since Eon went belly up, add to that a lack of a sound Industry structure as would be expected of any other Sector in NZ leaves us all worse off.

We weren`t in Eon or any other store that required exclusivity to the Auckland region or who dithers for months trying to make up there minds whether they are coming or going.
Well I guess its gone wasn`t it?

As you will guess we haven`t been sitting around twiddling thumbs.
New products and directions and some big plans as well as alot of Art shows
Table lamps a reworking of the Waltz sculpture  as table lamps distinctive and each one unique

Retro Range  going back to the 50`s and 60's with new ceramic lamps, jewellery and some might say with an Australian touch hardly surprising as I discover my family connections in Melbourne from 1841!

Big Design Market  December last year for the first time, 170 Australian & NZ designers exhibited at the Royal exhibition hall in Melbourne, it was stunning! If you want unique products for your stores this is where you can find them. Life instyle never had this many designers exhibiting and most if not all are wholesale. ....more

White Night 59 Galleries and one Artist Studio -US! are open till midnight 16 March the Council has laid on several buses to help move people as well. For the first time ever we are opening up the back studio creating an outdoor gallery, we have invited other artists to show as well.  No fees  & No commission because we think some artists just need an opportunity to get started.....more

By the time of the next trade show a 200sqm metre space with rooms sets showing off a new range of exterior objects!

Taking another look at the anvil with ideas reflecting machine gears and cogs and ended up looking like lace. The version with the trimmed ends is being detailed with cast resin, both hopefully ready for The Design Market in Melbourne 7-9 December.

The anvil is part of family history and the worktools series. My mum`s grandfather and great grandfather, both named John Robb were blacksmiths from Scotand settling in Canterbury in the late 1800`s. The original anvil belonged to my Dad`s grandfather Albert, a seaman from Stamsund a village inside the Norwegian Arctic Circle.

The Torso Series are getting a makeover, some pieces were too dry for piercing so time to have some fun. Tooled with an almost reptilian texture and finished with  a satin glaze. 
Stunning results and very tactile.
300mm w $650