bodner051

For those of you not conversant in New Zealand Māori, that's a poor attempt at a pun. Mahi is Māori for work, and I want in this post to explore more of the work of Keith Mahy.  I n June 2013 , I wrote about Keith's death (http://newzealandglass.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/keith-mahy-one-of-pioneers.html) , and explored some of his early work on 18 October 2014 (http://newzealandglass.blogspot.co.nz/2014/10/are-these-early-pieces-by-keith-mahy.html ). Following that I have had a wonderful opportunity to talk with Keith's partner Shona, and see the wide range of examples of his work that Shona has. I was able to photograph these, and Shona kindly gave me several pieces. I've also come across some pieces held by others, and most recently was able to buy five wine goblets on TradeMe. Keith was one of the pioneer glass artists in New Zealand, and one with a long career.  This blog presents examples of Keith Mahy's extensive glass practice, from the time he came to Northland ...

Until now I've been only dimly aware of crackle glass, a form I tended to associate with trinkets from some European and American glass factories, and not something that appealed to me at all.   So I was very surprised when this cranberry red crackle glass decanter appeared on TradeMe.  The listing read:  Cranberry crackle glass decanter with stopper.   Very pretty and in lovely condition.   Signed by Chuck Simpson 1989.  Very collectible piece. 28cm x 10cm  No-one except me showed any interest in it, so my bid was successful. Now it has arrived I can confirm it is clearly signed Chuck Simpson 1989, when Chuck was working at Inglewood. I can't recall seeing any other piece of crackle ware made by a New Zealand glass artist. Of course, now I'm hoping other examples will show up. An article by Stan & Arlene Weitman in Angela Bowey's Online Glass Museum http://www.glass.co.nz/crackle.htm   tells me that crackle glass is formed by immersing ...