For Ilma Shergold, pulling one of her porcelain creations out of the kiln feels a lot like getting a gift at Christmas.

“It’s like opening your Santa Claus parcel. It’s quite exciting,” laughed the 88-year-old who has been painting porcelain for 15 years.

It’s with a great deal of satisfaction that she can say “I made that” when visitors to her home ask where she got ornaments from.

“They make great gifts for the family, too,” said Shergold.

Tauranga Porcelain Artists Association president Pam Brennan took up the hobby about 40 years ago.

“There’s a perception around porcelain art that it’s old-fashioned but the art has changed a lot over the years.

“Once you’ve learned the traditional techniques, you have the basics and you’re less likely to make mistakes. Then we have modern and contemporary styles. We have a 17-year-old member and her work is amazing. She ignores all the rules; and, actually, we learn a lot from her.”

An example of the group’s work. Photo: Debbie Griffiths

The group’s oldest members are in their 90s, highlighting the diversity of people drawn to the hobby.

“I can’t draw at all,” said Margaret Mabey, who’s been with the club for about three years. “It never interested me, but I’ve discovered a talent, perhaps. The big thing is though that we’re not just doing flowers on plates like people think we do. That’s not it at all.”

Whether they’re painting fruit in abstract patterns, scenery, native birds or traditional images, the styles and creativity are endless.

“You get ideas from the internet and transfer them on to porcelain, using glaze paints in a variety of colours including lustres and metallics with gold and platinum,” said Brennan.

“We paint on white porcelain and each piece would have at least three fires in the kiln. Some would be fired 10 times to build up the colour. During the firing process, the glaze on the porcelain fuses with the applied paints permanently. Once fired, it never fades or diminishes.”

Brennan described it as an “increasingly rare art form” and encourages more people to give it a go.

“It’s the creativity, it’s the social gathering and it’s something a little unusual.

“Anyone who wants to try painting porcelain can just show up. We have everything they need.”

The Tauranga Porcelain Artists Association meets every Thursday from 10am at the Arts & Crafts Centre, Elizabeth St, Tauranga City. For more information, phone Pam Brennan on 021 127 7277.