She Broadcasts—and makes Pottery in her Own Kiln

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 33, 22 February 1935, Page 14

She Broadcasts—and makes Pottery in her Own Kiln

A THOROUGHLY versatile woman is Miss Briar Gardner, of New Lynn, Auckland, another woman who is widely known because Of her recent broadcasts from 1YA. But she is even far better known throughout the. Dominion because of her famous handeraft pottery, which she designs and executes herself and in her own brick kiln. Her brothers have for many years been’ successful brickmakers at New Lynn; where their large kilns*‘are situated. Miss Gardner is a student of vatious arts, having attained success in literature (her stories, mainly composed for children, being accepted and published by important papers) and in amateur theatricals; It was she who, some years ago, invented a new system of embroidery which she sold for delivery in various parts of the world.. The ‘embroidered work on one frock alone brought Miss Gardner a price of 30 guineas! Three years ago she won the Auckland section of the big spelling competition promoted and conducted by the "Radio. Record." . Last winter, . from 1YA, Miss.Gardner aelivered a: series. of talks:on.the romauce and history: of pottery, during which she went right back to the very: begininng of pottery, dealing with the .Potter.of -Egypt,.the great historian; the Potter of Greece, .the great artist;. the Potter of China, the great magician. ending wish the modern deéveloyments of the craft--truly all. very interesting talks. She started on the potter's wheel seven years ago. This was an electric pottery. wheei specially, designed and built-for her, Ip addition.to using

the wheel Miss Gardner does a good: deal of hand-modelled work to the order of distinguished people ix New Zealand, and: even far beyond. She owns her own brick kiln and looks.after the firing and ever'ything. "Of course, that often means silting up continuously for 30 hours if you . have something baking," she told a "Radio Record" interviewer. ‘‘But it is all most interesting ‘and’a very fascinating work." She even has time to take . an active interest in the Girl Guides. She was the first captain of the New Lynn Girl Guides.