Stone Lantern

$100 Bonsai Art Photo Contest

This photo was sent to us by a friend down under (I’ve lost his name, so if you happen to be him, or know him, please let me know just found him: it’s Richard Warner of New Zealand and the tree is a Southern birch) is an example of a bonsai related photo (this one might be a bit of a stretch, but close enough). Bonsai (or at least tree) related photo contest When this mystery photo came, it triggered the idea of a bonsai art photography contest. What we’re looking for are photos that include bonsai (or trees suggestive … Continue reading $100 Bonsai Art Photo Contest

Over on Stone Lantern…

Our best sale yet? Our most popular book has been reduced. This doesn’t make any sense; why reduce something that is selling so well? It says over 200 items have been reduced and that’s true. Actually more like 250. Some quite steeply. And, if you order over $100, you’ll get those dreaded (just kidding) double discounts.

River Critiques: We Have Two Winners!

Way back on April 4th, we asked our readers to critique this planting (from Saikei and Art). Now, we have two winners. First place ($25 gift certificate to Stone Lantern): Donna Lynn. Second place ($15 gift certificate): Zack Clayton. (winners can contact wayne@stonelanten.com to find out how to get your prizes). Why we picked these two Lew’s charming planting is both compelling and flawed. For the contest, it’s the planting’s overly symmetrical nature that caught my attention (the two forests are almost exactly equal in mass; this contributes to a somewhat static rather than a more dynamic feel), so I … Continue reading River Critiques: We Have Two Winners!

A Simple & Instructive Little Quiz, Part 2

My way or the highway? Here it is and don’t blame me. Who you should blame is unknown; Bonsai Today issue 21 doesn’t provide the artist’s name. Should’ve or could’ve? On April 16th we posted a little quiz from Bonsai Today issue 21. Several of you took the challenge (see comments). Now we are posting the artist’s answers. One could take issue with the ‘should have’ language (the problem may have been in the translation). Still, whatever your thoughts on the language, you can bet that the original artist had a pretty good handle on the art of pruning (see … Continue reading A Simple & Instructive Little Quiz, Part 2

Vacation Blues: One Week Behind

A very temporary condition We are currently short staffed and are running at least one week behind. We expect to be all caught up by in about ten days (the two people who are out enjoying themselves will be back then). Don’t wait! We are still accepting orders As we catch up all orders will be processed on a first come first serve basis (they always are anyway). So don’t wait. Order now so you’ll be near the front of the line. Thank you for your patience and understanding Respectfully yours, Wayne Specials Books, Kenzans (flower pins) and back issues … Continue reading Vacation Blues: One Week Behind

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?)

Still Speaking of François Jeker

Okay. More François. After all, he’s coming to the U.S., so why not? And, he just sent us these images and I like them and thought you might like them too. For more check out our previous posts, here and here. A message from Mr. Jeker Bonjour, Ci-joint le résultat du dernier stage sur la maturation des arbres. Il s’agit pour la plupart d’arbres qui avaient été travaillés lors de mes stages ces deux dernières années et qui ont fait l’objet d’un nouveautravail de maturation sur deux jours : interventions sur le  nebari, la silhouette, la ramification et le bois … Continue reading Still Speaking of François Jeker

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

Double Discounts at Stone Lantern

There’s a big Site-Wide Sale going on at Stone Lantern. 10% to 40% off everything. Not bad, but it gets better: Dozens of items are individually discounted. Some steeply. This means very large double discounts on those items. In some cases well over 50% off. This wonderful book features some of the very best bonsai in the U.S. The trees are spectacular and the book itself is a work of art. The regular price is $65.00 The discounted price is $45.00. With our site-wide sale it is from $27.00 to $36.00, depending on the overall size of your order. Numerous … Continue reading Double Discounts at Stone Lantern

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