Author Archives: Joan

"An Ikebana for every room" was the theme at the Tommy Douglas public library, where I did my latest demonstration. Six arrangements were made for an 
audience of about thirty. I made one for the living room in the basic style, and dining room was all around style. For the kitchen, I made a freestyle 
arrangement with chive, sage and cilantro flowers. A small basket followed for the bathroom, a line study for a small hall arrangement to be given away, 
and a large nageire for a large hall (see picture).

My next demonstration will be on June 25th at the McGill branch in North Burnaby. Hope to see you there!

I excitedly accepted an invitation to provide 12 ikebana arrangements for the grand opening of a Subaru dealership in Port Coquitlam. Another instructor from the Sangetsu school and I were challenged to make arrangements with the theme of “motion” in mind, and to try to use the corporate colours of royal blue, white and silver. We were able to assemble 12 containers which were the right colours. I had some old curly willow, contorted hazel and twisted allium, which I spray painted silver, and found some interesting poppy pods with bent stems. Mayumi found some cherry blossom branches which portrayed motion, so we were in business. The team members of the dealership all told us how happy they were to see our arrangements, and that they helped make the evening a success.

I was asked to conduct an Ikebana workshop at a workplace in Richmond, just before Valentine’s. Two groups of people came during their lunch break to learn how to make a simple arrangement using pussywillow, carnations and statice. Seventeen people in all participated. They were very proud of their handiwork!