You Can Still Enter (and Win) Our $1,000 Bonsai from Scratch Contest

Some of these drawings look like bonsai that aren’t too far from scratch. Don’t be intimidated! Anyone can enter our Bonsai from Scratch Contest. Everyone’s entries will be respected, and your entry won’t be published on Bonsai Bark unless you are one of the winners. So, not to worry. Here’s one reason why you can win At least twelve prizes will be awarded and only about ten people have entered so far. It’s not too late You have until October 15th for your final submission. Your final submission can be in a nursery container or a bonsai pot Some trees … Continue reading You Can Still Enter (and Win) Our $1,000 Bonsai from Scratch Contest

You Can Win Our $1,000 Bonsai from Scratch Contest!

A close up of a large nursery stock plant that was transformed into a shohin (small bonsai) by Morten Albek (author of Majesty in Miniature, Shohin Bonsai), from Bonsai Today issue 107. Why you can win No one has entered yet. We’ve had a couple threats, but no one has sent us any photos of the raw stock yet. The contest is wide open. One suggestion Do what Morten Albek did. He took a relatively large nursery plant and cut it way down to make a small bonsai. That’s just one idea, but it’s a good one. Another suggestion Do … Continue reading You Can Win Our $1,000 Bonsai from Scratch Contest!

$1,000 Bonsai from Scratch Contest

Though I don’t think it was done in one season, still this Dwarf Kingsville boxwood is a pretty good example of a bonsai from nursery stock. So good in fact, that it appeared on the cover of Bonsai Today issue 107. It’s by Michael Persiano. The stakes have risen in our Bonsai from Scratch Contest In a moment of weakness we changed the first prize from $250.00 to $400 and added another $600 worth of prizes. We figured you wouldn’t mind. The prizes First prize $400 gift certificate to Stone Lantern Second prize $250 gift certificate to Stone Lantern Third … Continue reading $1,000 Bonsai from Scratch Contest

Mystery Tree: Win $25 Gift Certificate

Stable and wild all at once. This tree has to be one of the most perfect and powerful bonsai around. The highly refined look of its massive crown, combined with its huge, wild nebari and trunk (twin trunks actually) and its almost static sense of stability, make for a mesmerizing bonsai. Win a $25 gift certificate to Stone Lantern Be the first to properly identify the owner (artist), the species, where this photo was taken and the name of the photographer (if you are the photographer, please do not enter this contest), and you’ll win a $25.00 gift certificate to … Continue reading Mystery Tree: Win $25 Gift Certificate

Plan Ahead for Our Next Big Contest

Simon Carr styled this little gem from scratch (see below) for an artofbonsai.org contest way back in 2005. It later appeared in Bonsai Today issue 103 in an article entitled ‘Instant Bonsai’ (I’d like to see what it looks like now). Bonsai from Scratch It’s time to get start thinking about your entry in our upcoming Bonsai from Scratch Contest. We’re going to make it worth your while with a $250 Stone Lantern gift certificate for the winner and other gifts for outstanding entries. Five easy steps to get you started 1. Find an untrained stock plant. Your choice of … Continue reading Plan Ahead for Our Next Big Contest

A Virtual Bunjin Challenge Winner

John Geanangel’s final rendition. Not only did John make some fairly radical changes, including a brand new pot (actually a rock serving as a pot), but he did it on youtube. Thank you Thank you to the twenty four of you who entered our Bunjin Contest. It’s always refreshing to know that someone is paying attention, especially when you are motivated enough to do something about it. A tough act to follow John Geanangel’s was the sixth entry and as soon as I saw it I figured the party was most likely over (sure enough that’s what our panel of … Continue reading A Virtual Bunjin Challenge Winner

Piece of Cake (Let Them Eat Bonsai?)

This is not a real bonsai! It’s a Cake. Cake pot, cake soil, cake trunk, cake leaves, cake berries. The story behind the cake “I had a birthday recently and my husband ordered the most extraordinary cake. Sharon Berke, an artist and baker in Boston, Mass., made the cake you see in the picture. I’m a bonsai novice, but I believe it is meant to be a cotoneaster. Every bit of the cake was edible, with the exception of the wires used to make the branches. Even the tray was edible. It was a great surprise. Some of your readers … Continue reading Piece of Cake (Let Them Eat Bonsai?)

2nd Chance: Win a Free Gift Certificate

A River in India, by Lew Buller. From his book, Saikei and Art: Minature Landscapes. Now on special at Stone Lantern. Win a $25.00 (or $15.00) gift certificate Send us a written critique of the planting above and you just might win. Even if you don’t, you can share your observations with our readers. Note: Do not put your entry in comments below. Instead email yours to wayne@stonelantern.com; after we have received them all we will post them for judging. For more info, check out our original post.

Contest: Your Insights Please

A River in India, by Lew Buller. From his book, Saikei and Art: Minature Landscapes. Now on special at Stone Lantern. Share your insights and win Send us a written critique of the planting above and you just might win. Even if you don’t, you can share your observations with our readers. Note: Do not put your entry in comments below. Instead email yours to wayne@stonelantern.com; after we have received them all we will post them for judging (see below). The prizes The first two place will receive gift certificates to Stone Lantern. $25.00 for first place and $15.00 for … Continue reading Contest: Your Insights Please

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