Testimonials



 

This is what Barbara and Grant said about the window picture they commissioned - depicting Rangitoto:
"We love it, thank you again. It looks good whatever the weather, brightens up a dull day and sparkles on a sunny day. "

Barbara and Grant


 

"Fate allowed me to find Karin one day when I stumbled across her intriguing garden and studio. After researching Karin's work, I knew immediately she would create a piece that would bring together joint ideas, history, romance, togetherness and love. You see Karin created a ‘hanging glass window’ design that encompassed those things mentioned that have bonded my wife and I for many years. As Karin's testimonials all read, the attention to detail, steady engraving hands, patience and dedication to produce something amazing, this is what she achieved. I would recommend anyone who has a glass or lead lighting idea, to talk to Karin without fail. Karin will take your idea and give it life. She will make magic with her ‘craftwomanship’ skills that I do not believe many or any other person possesses.
Congratulations Karin, the magic you created is a head turner in my home."

Barry Hobbs


 

"We had bought a couple of Karin’s items at her Glass Art Exhibition but when we wanted some wall lights none of her pieces was quite right for our home, although they are wonderful! Karin knew the sort of colours we liked but let us look at her selection of glass to ensure we would like what she was thinking of using.
You will have seen our lamps coming to life through Karin’s blog.
She let us have a peep during one of our visits but we had to wait until they were finished and installed before we could see them as Karin had planned them. They are AMAZING and we feel truly blessed to be able to have some of Karin’s art in our home and to be able to share their beauty with visitors to our home!!"

Heather & Daniel


 

"Go and visit Karin's amazing bathroom at once! It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen... the attention to detail and stunning use of colour blew me away. Thank you Karin for inviting me to view your work. It transported me to another world and really inspired me."

Lucy


 

"We feel very privileged to have your art in our house – as it makes our house more beautiful."

Vivienne & Jos


 

"We have several of Karin's Glass Art pieces in our home. The main piece is a wall light but we also have a table lamp and a mirror. We chose Karin's work over many that we looked at because of her style and also for the high standard of her craftsmanship. You can see straight away that her pieces are made to last. She uses beautiful, quality glass and her work is durably put together. Personally I enjoy her work because it is both classically attractive and enchantingly playful. When Karin custom designs, she considers the personality of the client, the home for which the piece is destined and also takes into account the direct environment for that piece. But also, she has many other works ready made to fit anyone's immediate purchases. I know that Karin has many other satisfied clients, from all walks of life, and would heartily recommend her work to everyone. I am constantly seeing new and wonderful things in the pieces, even when they have been hanging in my home for a long time."

Rene & John Lander
Titirangi

 


 

"Just writing to express my thanks for your efforts in creating our wondrous lamp. I was very impressed at how you managed to take my input and thoughts and create such a beautiful peace that captured what I was after. I also appreciated how you brought your style and flair to the fore to ensure it had the essence of your talents, because that's really why we wanted one of your pieces in the first place. A huge thank from us both."

Brett & Nicky

 


 

"Karin is that rare combination of visionary creator and skilled producer. She imagines wonderful images and uses colours in exciting and unexpected ways, but generates pieces of art that one enjoys living around and beside for many years – there are some of her pieces which have now been with us for decades! The quality of workmanship is truly exceptional, and the care she puts into her pieces demands far more time than many realise. She has strong independent vision but enjoys drawing on the input and building on the ideas of others, which makes the process of commissioning a piece a special experience. I was both surprised by the final product and delighted to recognise that my husband and I had become part of the creative process. The pieces that Karin creates are not a product of the consumption-based present, I feel they reflect more the values of honesty, individuality, and an appreciation of natural forms which avoid predictability through jolts of fanciful, joyful, other-worldly colour or imaginings."

Danielle & Rick Boven, Auckland

 


 

"When renovating our house, we decided that we would like to make a feature of the vertical glass panels at our front door. We knew that we wanted something that reflected Titirangi, and we wanted to engage a local artist. We found Karin. We discussed our thoughts with her and she came up with a wonderful original design. She had managed to complement the vertical panels by interweaving a design of native bush over all three panels. She also created a 3D effect by using coloured glass stones in the design. We are thrilled with our bespoke front door glass panels and have had many comments on it. We would recommend her to anyone wishing to create their own original design on glass."

Brent & Louise

 


 

"I first met Karin at the hospital market where I work and thought how talented she was and dreamt that maybe one day I'd love to have a piece of her art work. A long time later I ended up with her work right on my front door step. The front door of the house and 4 panels of glass beside the door were made of very thin glass due to the age of the house. This caused us two concerns, the glass was not safety glass and we were worried that our granddaughter may accidentally fall against the glass causing serious injury to her. The other issue was due to the size of the windows and the amount of glass cold air was coming in and any warm air from inside was escaping straight out. We decided to double glaze this area. It then came to me; instead of putting curtains up again in this area why not get Karin to see if she could come up with something to give us privacy yet have the beauty of the Titirangi bush. It was a huge ask, it doesn't help when I am German as well and a perfectionist. Karin knew what I liked and we talked about what I wanted . I just left her to it, never doubted her ability. I was amazed with what she created. It was everything I wanted. The entire creation was done off site and when it was installed it all fitted perfectly together. I am still amazed how it all fitted together like a puzzle ,nothing was out of alignment. We even have a bonus effect which at the time never even entered our heads. When the outside light is on, the patterns from the windows reflect onto the walls inside the front entrance creating a totally different piece of art work. We get so much pleasure from her work and our friends that have come to the house are amazed at the transformation."

Inge & Karl, Titirangi

 


 

"When we commissioned Karin to produce a large piece of mirror art for us, we really did not know what to expect. We wanted a mirror, but not only to be functional but add colour and just a little Je ne sais quoi. Having seen Karin’s studio and numerous works throughout her home and in the local community, we trusted in her clear ability to produce something phenomenal.
Karin is a clear perfectionist; I believe that’s the German in her. Karin wanted to inspect the space where the mirror would finally be placed and get a feel for our family, in order to reflect us all in her art, making this piece very personal and unique.
Karin’s captured my love of the sea and our combined enjoyment of the bush setting in which we live. The strong tree representing myself on the left with branches stretching across the mirror protecting that below, three beautiful flowers (our girls) to the right, not forgetting the thin nikau palm in the middle (my wife) bridging across with grace, balance and stability. I think Karin has captured the essence of our family in this amazing piece of art, reminiscent of Art Nouveau. Photographs do not do it justice, in fact I think you need to see Karin's work up close to really appreciate the quality and design.
If you are looking for something unique, bright and colourful for your home, office or bach look no further than KUrved Lines, take the time to visit her studio in Titirangi after checking out her website."

Dean & Lorraine Kaye, Laingholm

 


 

"We commissioned two large windows from Kurved Lines; one engraved and one tiffany-style glasswork . Both are beautiful and are treated as heirlooms in our family. We discussed the concept with Karin prior to her starting the work, but the reality of the work was so much more than we envisaged. The brilliance of the design; the clarity of the vision; the integrity of the structure - all surpassed our expectations!

It is so wonderful to discover an artist who has such a clear aesthetic sense yet is able to work within her clients' expectations. Thus creating delight and fulfilment on both."

Sarah Coe & Anthony Bott, Titirangi

 


 

“Wow, which one do I want?  Hard decision, you bet.  Karin makes colourful, but tasteful nature creations in glass (Window Pictures) of which I have a number adorning my windows. The fine engraving of birds and flowers lifts the design to another dimension. Her attention to detail is amazing, using exquisite glass, be it with floating squares (of varying colours) to frilly edges Karin knows exactly what each creation needs.  I am enthralled with her designs.  Not only does Karin make picture windows she also makes beautiful jewellery – necklaces / bangles, finesse on the skin.  I love and would recommend Karin’s work, its originality, story behind her designs even down to the beading to hang the window picture – nothing is left to chance.”

Anne-Marie van de Voort, Albany

 


 

"I am extremely fortunate to have a specially commissioned unique engraved glass door art piece from Karin Urmersbach-Niersbach. The door was a solution to the problem of how to have privacy in an ensuite bathroom without losing light. Karin talked with me about what images I liked and created an intricate native bush scene complete with birds, ferns fronds and even small jumping frogs at the bottom. The work took hundreds of patient hours to create and was an extremely difficult installation because it is an arched doorway. It is always interesting as various parts draw the attention depending on the daylight intensity. Although it may seem indulgent to have a bathroom door art piece it does reflects Karin’s passion for functionality in all her pieces and it does work as well as it gives visual pleasure."

Margaret Brown, Manukau 

 


 

"I'm absolutely delighted with Karin's Window Pictures I've purchased over recent years. A lot of thought and natural artistic abilities has Karin at the top of her field in producing exquisite glassworks. Her attention to detail and use of colour is truly amazing.
Her glass lampshades are beautiful and unique and the glass windows she has engraved are just stunning.
Karin puts a lot of time and effort into each piece of work and customers (friends) can be sure of getting a piece of work from someone who loves nature and all it offers which really does show up in her work.
Karin's jewellery is lovely too, something a bit different and again her artistic flair shows up with pieces she produces.
I'm so pleased I met Karin as I can now admire and enjoy her artwork in our home."

Jenny Scarr, Laingholm

"Hi Karin, just wanted to send a huge thank you again for making my lampshade. I absolutely loved it,
the colours were spot on and the shape really suited the stand.
John also loved the shade and was most impressed!!!
Naturally, I couldn't wait to turn the lamp on last night - it was lovely!!
As usual, your work is superb and your eye for colours and style, just fantastic."
Thanks again, love Jenny

 


 

“The piece I purchased (my very first “impulse buy” in at least ten years) has found a fine home in one of our best-lit rooms: it gets sunlight most of the day and it looks *stunning*.
……
You have a rare talent: some people may say that I bought an expensive piece of glass today. I’m convinced I bought a true work of art, and that it uniquely and exactly reflects the West Coast of New Zealand, where we live.
Your art has captured the stuff and essence of my homeland (Canada). From that viewpoint, it is priceless: and definitely a bargain, for what I paid for it.”

Andrew Cawston, Waiatarua

 


 

"We recently commissioned Karin to make three lampshades for the wall lights in our lounge.  This was a very pleasing experience with Karin visiting our home on more than one occasion, to get the feel and colour of our place, to incorporate into her design.
Karin listened and took note of our ideas, but at the same time we gave her the freedom to explore her artistic design talent.  We are delighted with the finished shades with each one being an individual design but working well together.
Karin places a lot of emphasis on detail and works to a high standard. We are now the proud owners of not only beautiful lampshades but artworks to admire and keep in our family. We have had many comments on Karin's work.

Thank you Karin"

Lynette & Bruce McKinstrie, Waiatarua

 


 

"My initial meeting with Karin was in the mid 1990's when I visited her display and sale of glass art at a craft exhibition north of Auckland. I was very impressed with the quality of her work and in particular the skill and sensitivity she displayed in the design and manufacture of lamp shades and other glass objects on display. Her craftsmanship was nothing short of superb. My second meeting was in 2004. My wife and I had need for a coloured glass screen on a window in the stairwell of our home on Auckland's North Shore. The window is in a prominent position, close to the home's front entry and receives full afternoon sun. We were seeking a screen that would give privacy yet still allow us to see visitors approaching the house. We were seeking an object of beauty and have long admired the effects that can be achieved by sunlight through coloured glass, the reflected patterns on floors and walls, and the movement and life that this can give to a home's interior spaces. Karin was seeking commissions and after a brief examination of illustrations of her other work we had no hesitation in engaging her to design and make the screen we were seeking.
We met with Karin in our home, outlined our requirements, and developed the design brief between us. We visited Karin's home and workshop to see a range of coloured glass samples and select those that were compatible with our home's interior. We wanted glass colours and texture which, when incorporated in a window screen, would create the desired patterns of light on the surfaces of the stairwell. Although we worked together in developing general guidelines we left the final design of the screen entirely to Karin, confident in her artistic sensitivity and ability to interpret our wishes. We are very satisfied with the result and with an artwork which is unique and beautifully made.
Karin is both artist and craftsperson. As such she is outspoken and firm her opinions. She is not prepared to compromise her designs but is sensitive to the needs of her clients. She always endeavors to produce a product that meets her high standards, is appropriate to the space for which it is designed, and which achieves the client's objectives. I enjoyed working with her and would recommend her to other architects, design professionals and anyone seeking a beautifully made work in art glass."

John Betts, Architect (Retd)
FNZIA (Retd)

 


 

"In 2008 we commissioned Karin from Kurved Lines to design a hanging light shade for our hall stairwell. We had an idea on colour and shape of the shade we wanted, and Karin helped with great ideas on design and look. We were very happy with the outcome, when she revealed our shade, and loved the finishing touches she made right down to the idea of hanging it on a black chain (very effective).
We found Karin very interesting and passionate about her work, and this reflects in the attention to detail, and quality of the products she uses. We have told everyone about Karin, and  Kurved Lines, and would not hesitate to have her commission more pieces in the future as the need arises."

Delice & David Stewart, Titirangi

 


 

"We have no hesitation in recommending the glass work of Karin from Kurved Lines.
We searched for 5 years to find the perfect person to do the 4 glass panels in the four bifold doors that lead into our large octagonal space. Karin spent a lot of time ensuring that we got what we wanted, which is a beautiful mix of coloured and etched glass depicting the four directions of fire, air, water and earth.
We were so thrilled with the art work as well as the perfection in craftsmanship – the glass panels had to be robust enough to allow for the constant opening and closing of the doors. Over 5 years later we are still thrilled with the result. We commissioned Karin to do another art piece after the success of the glass panels and it is equally inspired and like the first work it is very different from anything we have seen. Karin has photographs of the work but in real life it is even better.
We use our large octagonal room for gatherings of people and Karin’s work is constantly admired. We cannot recommend her work highly enough."

Shay Susan Penman and Gail Wolf
Earthspirit, Waitakere

 


 

"This is one of my most precious possessions .
I first spied it in Karin's own home and fell in love with it. It was not for sale at the time, but I let her know that if she ever changed her mind, I would be delighted to purchase it.
I was eventually lucky enough to become the proud owner, and found the perfect position in my bedroom.
It reflects the garden in all seasons, and is the first thing I see in the morning, and the last I see before I put the light out at night.
What a wonderful way to begin and finish my days.!!
Thank you Karin for creating this beautiful mirror."

Barbara White