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[C41]Calling From New Zealand

by Martin Mallett, Mar

In New Zealand abalone is called paua in the Maori tongue. It is hard to harvest paua and the rights can only be granted under legal Maori customary rights. The daily recreational limit is 10 paua per diver with a minimum shell length of 125 mm. The Ministry of Fisheries says that in the years of 2004 and 2005 approximately 1,000 tons of paua will be poached with about three fourths of that undersized.

New Zealands polished paua shells are common souvenirs because of their beautiful blue, purple, gold and green hues. If you transport unprocessed abalone shells out of New Zealand you are flouting the law.

The amazing color of paua shells are completely natural are polished to increase maximum luster to show the true colors on the shell.

Paua is a certain species of abalone that is only found around New Zealand. Locals only utilize the natural paua that has washed up on the shoreline. They dont use fake color enhancers, plastic resin coatings, or dyes like some manufacturers do who sometimes harvest fragile paua shells.

There are three different species of Paua found in New Zealand including silver paua- Haliotis australis, Paua- Haliotis iris, and Virgin Paua-Haliotis virginea. Paua is a Maori name that was given to a small group of mono-valve mollusks found in their coastal waters.

Paua are found in the shallow coastal water along rocky shorelines in depths of about one to fifteen m. They feed on near seaweed and can endure the strong tidal surges because they can cling to the rocks with their muscular foot.

The paua is actually ionic in New Zealand and its black muscular foot is considered a delicacy while its shell is used in jewelry and as keep sakes because it is one of the worlds most beautiful shells.

The best merino wool comes from Australia and New Zealand, so it's no wonder that two leading producers and exponents of yarn come from New Zealand. Both Margaret Stove (Margaret Stove Yarn) and Anna Gratton (Filaro Yarn) have international reputations firmly based on the quality of the yarn they produce and the quality of their workmanship.

Margaret Stove has been spinning for over 25 years and is renowned for her fine ability to spin superfine fleece. She has published two books 'Handspinning, Dyeing and Working with Merino and Superfine Wools in New Zealand' and 'Artisan Lace'. But her reputation is based on much more than writing books about spinning and making lace; she is renowned as a knitter, teacher and designer. Her work is an inspiration to other lace workers and her work is found in many galleries and private collections throughout the world.

As well as using superfine merino wool to produce lace work, Margaret also owns her own label of beautiful superfine merino wool, called 'Artisan'. You can not only buy her hand dyed wool, you can also buy her excellent kits and patterns to help you create wonderful lace designs.

Another fellow countrywoman is Anna Gratton. Anna's is a 'sheep's back to finished garment' operation run from her mill in the countryside on the north island of New Zealand. She has farmed a flock of both stud white and naturally colored Corriedales since 1976. They produce sound, long fiber, which is spun in her worsted spinning mill. The silky fleece produced is in the 27 - 30 micron range. But Anna is much more than a producer of wool, she is also internationally known as an artist in knitwear.

Anna sells her yarn under the Filaro Yarn label and you can buy her yarn either by visiting her mill, by mail order or on the internet. There are many colors to choose from - the natural wool colors are perhaps the most beautiful. The yarns are all dyed at her mill. As well as pure wool, she offers many blends such as merino/mohair, wool/rayon and mohair/wool/nylon. The Sparkle Mohair collection is a popular choice from Fialro Yarn. Filaro "Sparkle Mohair" is a wonderfully soft brushed mohair boucle with a strand of lurex glitter that shimmers and glimmers but without any scratchiness. It is made in New Zealand from 47% mohair, 35% wool, 14% acrylic and 4% nylon.

Both Margaret Stove Yarn and Filaro Yarn are fine examples of wool that is available from New Zealand. Both have distinct qualities; the super fine merino of Margaret Stove yarn and the worsted wool from Filaro Yarn. Both what is common to both is that the yarn is produced by two women of international stature who are the embodiment of knitting, not just as a craft, but as an art form.

Article Source : Beauty Secrets

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Both Martin Mallett & Robin Obrien are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Martin Mallett has sinced written about articles on various topics from Silver Jewelry, Beauty Tips and Silver Jewelry. Martin Mallett is the owner of Milton Gems Silver Jewellery and has a range of .. Martin Mallett's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

Robin Obrien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Modelling, Prom Dress and Kids and Teens. Follow the links for and. Robin Obrien's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.