Post #526416 by Tamapoutini on Tue, Apr 27, 2010 3:21 AM

Kia ora All!

Time to update. Still nothing but a stringline showing where the new workshop will be (waiting for council approval..) but actual money has been spent, so Id better see some action soon, haha.

A few bits n bobs from recent months:

Ill start with this one seeing as how theres only one random pic of her floating around..? pauashell eyes:

This wahine has had quite a journey: she began life as a simple toki/adze form, but the stone was so nice that I reworked into a hei-Tiki pendant. Somehow I never felt she was quite finished so in a rare move I cut the cords off and reworked again, adding ribs, changing mouth and defining a few features:

Another trad, this one worked over with coarse abrasive stones to recreate the appearance of genuine pre-contact artifacts.

A side-hanging variety from local stone (found many years ago, just a few hundred metres from my house..):

(for those too lazy to turn their heads..)

A++ as-good-as-it-gets "gem" quality Marsden jade! mmmmmmm..

Pekapeka pendant, not the greatest stone this one:

"Rei-Taniwha" (sea-monster tooth):

And while we're on the subject of teeth; a large whaletooth form, suspended akin to Fijian 'tabua':

Contemporary pekapeka form in very dark 'kawakawa' (pepper-tree leaf) stone. Also given the rough treatment, only gentler..

A very hefty wahine in 'kokopu' jade, named after its resemblance to the belly of native trout:

Upon receiving this piece, the buyer commissioned a smaller version for a family member:

Contemporary 'manaia' in lovely translucent stone:

Trad with 'tude. One of several incorporating the outer discoloured (oxidised) part of stone:

And another recent Rei-pounamu (jade tooth). This piece also utlises the oxidised stone for effect - although the jade from this particular source is in a different class altogether, most notable for its very hard/usable/attractive outer material (this oxidisation process being the death of most other stones).

And finally a couple of pics of rock-chopping action! Screaming lapidary porn, yeah. 24" blade, 2hp motor, 1800rpm..

ok, I guess Id better head back to the shed for another couple of months.. :wink: