OAMARU'S HISTORIC QUARTER |
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Oamaru's Historic Quarter
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Some local art-and-craftisans: Dugal Armour: aquatic Coppersmith, 12 Dee Street, 4348876. Alongside his lifelong fascination with trees, expressed in a deep knowledge of the local native and exotic forests, and
the practice of landscape architecture and tree husbandry, Dugal’s love of water has led him to produce elegantly
crafted water feature
Bill Blair: green Woodworker, c/o Post Office Kakanui, 4395781, In his charming workshop in one of the old Red Sheds beside Oamaru Harbour, Bill uses traditional handtools to make
trugs, hayrakes and bentwood pitchforks. His most picturesque device is the shaving horse, along with which a sharp
drawknife is used to shape the rake handles and heads, the type of tools which have been the basis of woodworking for
millennia. The green but slightly-seasoned wood used is easy to work and produces little dust, and is then finished with
natural and pleasant-smelling oils and waxes. Richard Bowering: Decorator of horticultural ceramics, 9 Tyne St, 4342677. Richard' s virtuoso and colourful creations in acrylics on pots and, more latterly, flat surfaces have proved a popular
drawcard f
Seriously different hand painted, glazed terracotta pots, candleholders, candle pots and paintings.
Criterion Hotel and Victorian Bed & Breakfast, 3 Tyne Street, 4346247, www.criterion.net.nz. The perfect place to meet after a hard week's organ grinding. A range of organic beers on tap, served in the Victorian surroundings of the main bar, but may be enjoyed in the comfortable snug or the opulent drawing and dining rooms.
Michael O’Brien: craft Bookbinder, 7 Tyne St, 4349277. Michael’s work is astonishingly beautiful. After an apprenticeship in Auckland and a period of further study and experience with London’s top craft binders, Michael’s return to New Zealand saw a growing desire to express the finest craft values and skills in an appropriate aesthetic context. His emulation of William Morris and his circle has left an indelible stamp on his own rôle in the Oamaru artisan community. His materials are impeccable and include recycled and marbled papers, naturally tanned leathers and organic glues and oils. Half the joy of being in this delightful bookshop is watching one's purchases being wrapped up in brown paper and string. Always a good selection of New Zealand books and some real surprises for the specialist collector.
Whitestone Artists Collective. Grainstore Gallery, 9 Tyne St, 025 2613764.
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s from recycled copper as the perfect complement to any garden setting. His witty and imaginative
designs in a wide range of botanical forms now include integrated gas lighting.
or visitors. The marbled, dream-like effusions in vivid metallics he has developed himself. We use them as gift
containers for homemade biscuits and fudge. Also candleholders and potted candles.
