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More Shots (& Big, Big, Big Book Sale)

Another shot from the 2nd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibit (here for a post from a few days ago). This one (and the last one in this post) was sent to us by Bill Valavanis; the tireless man behind the whole wild and wonderful thing. Big, big, big book sale at Stone Lantern Just trying to squeeze this in to drum up a little business. Mid-summer always requires some extra effort. All the way from Japan. Kunio Kobayashi was not the only famous visitor (and in this case, judge), but he’s the only one with the title ‘Grand Master’ before his … Continue reading More Shots (& Big, Big, Big Book Sale)

Bonsai Seasonals with Michael Hagedorn

You could spend your whole life collecting bonsai and never find one as impressive as this. From Michael Hagedorn’s Crataegus Bonsai Seasonals. Here’s what Michael says about this photo… “Initial potting of a large Rocky Mountain Juniper, Winter 2010 Seasonal.” Just a little understated. If this is any indication, it’s worth noting that Michael has his students working on trees of this caliber (and caliper). Study with one of the very best My guess is that three days with Michael will be worth months or even years of fumbling about in your backyard in hopes that trial and error will … Continue reading Bonsai Seasonals with Michael Hagedorn

Coming Soon: Field Grown Bonsai Stock

One little man made hill that serves as landscaping and as a growing bed for future bonsai. Coming soon I’ve started digging some of my field grown stuff and putting them in plastic containers. Soon we’ll start photographing and putting some up for sale. Larches and some others More than half of what I’ve been growing are larches that have been collected here in northern Vermont. All have been pruned some. Some has been wired and a few have even been carved. Most are not bonsai pot ready, but all have good potential. Stone Lantern When they are ready, I’ll … Continue reading Coming Soon: Field Grown Bonsai Stock

Perfect Just As It Is?

A daring presentation from Candy Shirley’s bonsai collection. Here’s an example of a rather intriguing bonsai and pot relationship. Your eye (if it behaves like mine) goes straight to the pot. Its mass is at least equal to the tree, it’s at the same elevation as the tree, and it’s just so strong and unusual. Do you think that the tree is a bit overwhelmed? What about its pincher shape? Would you have done it differently or is the whole presentation perfect just as it is? And another question while we are at it Is it just me, or has … Continue reading Perfect Just As It Is?

You Were the Judge & Good Things Happened

We have a winning judge Remember our You Be the Judge & Good Things Will Happen Contest? The one where we were going to pick the short and sweet judges comments (on our Bonsai Art Contest) that we liked the most and award the winner a $30 gift certificate to Stone Lantern? Well, after carefully deliberating, we have a winning judge. His name is Matt Cooke (Leland Garrett’s short and sweet comments were a close second, and we very much enjoyed Al Polito’s and Ken To’s not so short comments. There were others we liked too, but that’s enough for … Continue reading You Were the Judge & Good Things Happened

Contest: Mystery Penjing

I found this near perfect penjing stuck in a file on somewhere on my computer. Unfortunately, I neglected to label it, and, like so many other things stuck in files in hidden corners, I don’t remember where it came from. I do know that it’s a Trident maple and I could make a guess on its location and who planted it, but maybe it’s more interesting to give you a chance. Win a $25.00 gift certificate The first person to properly identify the artist and the current location of this powerful penjing planting will receive a $25.00 gift certificate to … Continue reading Contest: Mystery Penjing

Judging Judges

Traveling again and haven’t gotten around to reviewing all the judge’s comments. Soon. Meanwhile, stay posted.

Judgement Day

Okay. You’ve had your chance. And we already have more than the twenty five judges that we asked for. So, as of midnight Sunday, March 21st, (Eastern Daylight Savings Time), the judging for our Bonsai Art Contest is closed.

Judging: Time to Step Up

There’s still time for you Nineteen people have judged our Bonsai Art Contest so far. Not bad, but not over yet. There’s still time for you to weigh in. Sales! And, while we are at it, just a friendly reminder that we still have sales on books, magazines and netsuke going on. I know we’ve had lots of sales the last year or so (our answer to a weak economy), but don’t assume they will continue at the same frequency, or at the same deep discounts.