500,000 Cuts, All Beat Up & Still Cutting

These well worn Okatsune bypass shears belong to Greg McNally and Tune Faulkner of Fall Brook Tree Farm in Wheelock Vermont. Tune uses hers all year, but most intensively before the holidays when she makes wreaths. She makes thousands of cuts a day when she’s going strong and has been using the same shears for years. We came up with 500,000 cuts, but suspect it could easily be twice that. This photo and the next one are by Amy Palmer. Bonsai and other uses I use my Okatsunes (the 8″ ones, some people prefer the 7″) in my garden and … Continue reading 500,000 Cuts, All Beat Up & Still Cutting

Celestial Realm: Nature’s Bonsai

Wang Wusheng’s Celestial Realm provides one of the most powerful and beautiful photographic journeys you can take. And if you want to know where much of the early inspiration for bonsai came from, look no further. Not too blatant We try avoid too much blatant promotional stuff on this blog. Mostly you’ll find bonsai art, how-to instruction, bonsai news, bonsai galleries, and related content. Often links to Stone Lantern are included (you’ll find many more links to other sites and blogs), but only occasionally do we use a whole post to promote something we sell.

Some Serious New Bonsai Tools

Here’s some of our new tools (there are more) by Bonsai Aesthetics. From left to right: Rook hook, Extra large branch jack, Extra large branch bender, branch lever, and Large branch jack. Good tools and the price is right A few months ago we introduced some of Robert Steven‘s new line of bonsai tools. Robert is the author of Mission of Transformation and Vision of My Soul, and is one of the world’s most innovative bonsai artists. Like many of us, Robert realized that Japanese tools are gradually being priced out for many people, while Chinese tools are coming up … Continue reading Some Serious New Bonsai Tools

Robert Steven’s Unique New Book is in Our Warehouse and Ready to Ship

This Pemphis acidula is just another example of Robert Steven’s artistry. But the real question is; how did he arrive at this level of artistry and how can you get there too. Robert’s goal with Mission of Transformation is to answer these questions. More than just another beautiful bonsai book Robert Steven wants to share what he knows about creating powerful bonsai. As evidence, here’s the table of contents in Mission of Transformation: Introduction, Bonsai and Nature, Transformation, Designing, Aging, The Principle of Good Bonsai Design (Balance, Movement and Rhythm, Emphasis, Simplicity, Contrast, Proportion, Space, Unity), Transformation Studio, Critique, Gallery, … Continue reading Robert Steven’s Unique New Book is in Our Warehouse and Ready to Ship

Mission of Transformation is rapidly approaching

This powerful tray planting leaves little doubt that Robert Steven is a brilliant bonsai and penjing artist. From Mission of Transformation. It’s on shore and on its way A truck bearing Robert Steven’s new book, Mission of Transformation, will be ascending our long dirt driveway any day now (maybe today!). Walter Pall “Tradition is not the conservation of ashes but the propagation of fire. Robert Steven certainly is propagating the fire. What was started in his first book, Vision of My Soul… is put into practice here in this book. I dare to say that this book will become a … Continue reading Mission of Transformation is rapidly approaching

Bonsai Today Sale: 40% to 50% off!

John Naka‘s famous ‘Goshin’ graces the cover of Bonsai Today issue 93. Inside there’s a tribute to Mr. Naka and a range of how-to articles and other useful and inspiring photos and information. This and a host of other back issues can now be yours for forty to fifty percent off. I love summer… …my bonsai and garden are in ecstatic celebration and there’s cold drinks on the deck in the late afternoon (just before the mosquitoes take over). I hate summer… …it’s too short, my lawn needs mowing every fifteen minutes, and just when you’re relieved that black flies … Continue reading Bonsai Today Sale: 40% to 50% off!

Robert Steven: Mission of Transformation

Coming soon Robert Steven’s long awaited new book Mission of Transformation has just pulled out of port for it’s halfway round the world journey from Indonesia to Vermont. We hope to see it pull up to our warehouse sometime in August (no guarantees!). While we (and you) are waiting, we’re offering a pre-order, pre-pay special at $49. (retail $55.), with double discounts during our book sale. Here’s what a few bonsai notables have to say about it: “I am certain bonsai artists from around the globe will find “Mission of Transformation” a valuable addition to their reference library because it … Continue reading Robert Steven: Mission of Transformation

Three More Bonsai Today Issues Almost Gone Alert!

In case you wanted to complain (you probably didn’t) Occasionally people complain that we don’t tell them when something is almost gone forever. So, you can consider this little promotional post a service (or simply a way for me to try to get into your pocket). Either way, now you know… … that it’s time to panic! Just kidding, you don’t have to panic. However, as of this moment, we have only seven Bonsai Today issue 31 left. All still new (in the unused sense – issue 31 is from 1994) and all still full of timeless bonsai techniques and … Continue reading Three More Bonsai Today Issues Almost Gone Alert!

Just Arrived: New Tools from Japan

Old favorites back in stock Over at Stone Lantern, tools that some of you have been waiting for are back in stock; including my favorite, these sword shears. I do a lot of bonsai field growing as well as landscaping and keep mine close at hand to make quick work of of 10,000 little jobs.

Back Savers #3: Plan Ahead for Shohin Symposium

Koto Hime Dwarf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Koto Hime’). Bill Valavanis started this sturdy shohin maple from an airlayer taken in June 1986. Height 11 inches, Tokonome pot. 2009 Shohin Bonsai Symposium, Rochester NY. Bill Valavanis’ Shohin Symposium is coming up soon (September). Shohin artists from around the world will be teaching and displaying their talents and enthusiasm for your enjoyment and benefit. Nobuichi Urushibata, Peter Warren, Julian Adams… Harvey Carapella, Sean Smith, Suthin Sukosolvisit, Erik Wigert, Jack Wikle, Bill Valavanis (and you?) will be on hand. And, of course. a host of bonsai friends to hang and play with … Continue reading Back Savers #3: Plan Ahead for Shohin Symposium