Bambusero

Working with bamboo - a talk in New Plymouth this Saturdayy

Introduction to working with bamboo.

The New Zealand Bamboo Society are inviting you to attend a demonstration in New Plymouth on using this wonderful and undervalued plant.  An illustrated talk covering species identification and selection, uses and qualities of bamboo will be followed by NZ's most experienced bamboo crafters giving a demonstration on how to select, harvest and work with the material.

Location:

Green School New Zealand, 406 Koru Rd, Koru. Taranaki.

Time:

10AM - 1PM Saturday 24th February

I sometimes get the feeling that I'm a giant snail ..🙂. One more Hideout ready to be installed for some lucky kids at a local kindergarten. I think I've nailed it now. This one has come out particularly well.

I love the play of light on this half split fence. It was a revisit. The last time I saw it, it was just installed and freshly green.

It's not often your bamboo clump smells. Unless that is, there is a stinkhorn growing in it!

I made this about 9 years ago, and it has to be said it's looking like it. However, I love the way it has aged. This is at Landsendt, the current location of Jungle Flora, my new business selling clumping bamboo -

Ahhh.... It's great to be back in my Bambusoides grove again. I love it in here

No sushi platters for a dinner party! No problem. I went into the workshop and a little while later came out with these... They worked great and went into the dishwasher.










       

We made another great organic woven screen at last month which was the result of the latest workshop we did together. Keep an eye out on their events page to see all their cool workshops. Ours covered species selection,harvesting, bamboo control and of course weaving screens

Hi everyone. Just a heads up for those that have always thought they'd like to make something out of bamboo: I have a workshop coming up on the 25th March. There are a few places left. Please check it out on the link below:

The Beauty of Bamboo, Sat 25th Mar 2023, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm NZDT | Humanitix Back by popular demand! Join us for a day learning from a skilled designer and craftsperson. Mark Mortimer (Bambusero) transforms humble bamboo into beautiful, functional creations for both indoor and outdoor applications. His work is in demand and has featured in a number of high profile spaces. Th...

I've pickled my bamboo shoots and they are yummy. Vinegar soya sauce and salt, tasting until it tastes right. They look good too

If i wasn't a Bambusero I think I'd like to be a steam bender. Very satisfying to make these Hideout door surrounds. I have enough for about 9 Hideouts now.

If you like gin, then keep an eye out as this is shaping up to be a glorious Gin Expo stand














       

I love delivering a Hideout in my ute. It always elicits lots of smiles on the highway 🙂

I haven't posted much recently because I've been tying knots. Lots of knots. 1,656 to be precise. In fact it's turned my hair into rope! Oh well, only another 600 or so to go.....

It was great to be reunited with some of my bamboo at .zoo
10 years and still going strong.

This is what we call a BBML in the trade. (Bloody big mixed load) Off to a film set. I can't tell you which one. Sworn to secrecy🤫

I just finished off an organic bamboo screen for it was the result of a workshop we did together. Great fun and they learnt how to fashion simple bamboo poles into this lovely screen.

Ok quiz time. What do you suppose this is? Hint: it's not a bamboo shoot

I use this lovely little Balinese knife for most things. I'm making a pergola for a shop. I'll hopefully get some photos of it installed soon













       

18th September... Happy World Bamboo Day!

I'm quite excited to post this.. I've developed a technique using bamboo slats to sculpt a ceiling or wall. The possibilities are endless.

For this job for Obreros in Orewa, Auckland, I harvested the bamboo myself from around the local area. The eco credentials couldn't be better. I designed and installed the supports then inserted the prepared bamboo slats giving a wonderful 3D texture to an otherwise boring suspended tile ceiling.

I also custom-made some LED lighting using long dark-heated bamboo poles, throwing light both above, to dramatically bring the contours into relief, and below, to shine an even unobtrusive light onto the diners.

By dissolving the boundary between ceilings and walls I created a warm, dynamic and welcoming space with very little material or upheaval.

I'd like to thank Obreros owner Nico for having the faith to give me free reign and the chance to make this idea I've had rattling around in my head for years a reality.

Also thanks to for the wonderful photos

SOLVED: where do I put my tea whilst harvesting?

Introducing the DogSlot. A small dog height window in the fence panel.

Positioned so the prized pooch can peer out at passing people.

That's the beauty of getting things custom made.

Rejuvenate weathered bamboo by waterblasting. This Hideout has been in full sun for the last 3 years. You can see which half I have treated. Applying decking oil will further extend it's lifespan

In October I'll be giving a bamboo workshop in Auckland where you can learn all about bamboo, the best tools to use and some basic techniques and skills. After the indoor seminar we will be building a feature fence on the Eco Matters food forest boundary.

The Beauty of Bamboo, Hosted on Humanitix, Sun 9th Oct 2022, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm NZDT | Humanitix Join us for a day learning from a skilled designer and craftsperson. Mark Mortimer (Bambusero) transforms humble bamboo into beautiful, functional creations for both indoor and outdoor applications. His work is in demand and has featured in a number of high profile spaces. The Beauty of Bamboo Bambo...

A couple more photos the APO sent me

Bambusero has donated bamboo for use as percussion instruments to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. They will be used in Cinderella the ballet

Hiya, just a head's up: I'll be exhibiting at the Great ECE Expo this weekend. www.eceexpo.co.nz
I'll be there with one of my Hideouts and sharing a stand with Playscape.
https://www.facebook.com/playscapeNZ
I hope yo see you there.

My Lacuna panels as you have never seen them! At the , painted them in a distressed green to suit the decor. What do you think?