Masako led a Workshop with the Theme of Ikebana for Celebrations

December 7, 2025 Ikebana Wellington

Masako arranged a variety of materials for a Kiwi barbecue in a tall glass vase

Our last meeting for the year was held at Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall, 33 Ganges Road, on Sunday December 7 at 2pm until 4pm. Masako led the workshop arranging material for celebrations. Masako provided the following notes:

“Sogetsu textbooks refer to arrangements for festive occasions (Book 1-20 and Book 2-20), specific occasions or spaces (Book 4-19), and celebrations (Boo 5-11).

Please choose one occasion to arrange an ikebana to make someone or group of people feel special.

Rather than following such so-called taboos, be flexible and put the first priority on making the recipients happy.

You can choose any materials or vases for this workshop” Masako.

Setsuko created a large arrangement using Japanese maple and mizuhiki and bamboo in a pottery container

Takako created an elegant New Year arrangement with prunes and bamboo

Kathy's eye catching arrangement included flax, poppy seed heads and astellia leaves from her garden

Sharon's arrangement had an Anzac touch with kowhai and eucalyptus

Adriana created an arrangement for the sideboard using red and white flowers with ivy in a low white container

Glenys created a pleasing arrangement using white daisies, a red poppy with parsley and leaves in an interesting ceramic container

Penny included blackberry blossom and two Christmas doves in her arrangement

Yoko created a New Year arrangement with bamboo, pine and chrysanthemums in two low containers

Nicole used NZ materials - meulenbeckia and iris and used mizuhiki to celebrate Christmas

Helen's arrangement included kangaroo paw and pohutukawa with lilies, pine and yarrow in two matching red containers for Christmas

Masako arranged a variety of materials for a Kiwi barbecue in a tall glass vase

A Workshop Led by Sandi Hurnard, Helen Wareham and Lyn Hansen. Theme: Using a second - hand vase

November 9, 2025 Ikebana Wellington

Lyn describing her arrangement and special raised pottery container

Our November workshop was led by Sandi, Helen and Lyn. Members were asked to choose a vase that was pre-loved, maybe something they found at an Op Shop, a family hand- me- down or something bought from another ikebanist. It may have special significance when considering it’s past.

Lyn sharing her arrangement in a special raised pottery container

Lyn arranged rhododendrons, ixia and violets in an interesting raised vase

Sandi arranging roses in a lined pottery vase

Sandi arranged variegated roses and lily seed heads in an interesting container

Helen used two similarly shaded ceramic vases to display delicate manuka and chrysanthemums

Sprig of beautiful manuka flowers

Carolyn and Adriana concentrating on their creations

Carolyn arranged white freesias with delphiniums and elephant ear leaves in a blue and white container

Elizabeth arranged astroemeria, flag iris and hosta leaves in a vase from an Op-Shop

Lyn arranged Solomon's seal, lilac, climbing roses and lily of the valley flowers in a pair of small green glass vases in remembrance of Julie, a past member

Nicole arranged ixia and montbrecia with leaves in a beautiful glass container highlighted by being in the sun

Nicole arranged poppies and rosemary in an antique French glass milk bottle

Glenys arranged alstroemeria and ixia in an latticed wood container

Masako arranged orange gerberas, variegated coprosma leaves and driftwood in a matching tall cylindrical container

Garden to Vase - Picking your own Materials. A Workshop led by Helen Wareham

October 12, 2025 Ikebana Wellington

Helen arranging pink grevillia at the base of goddess lilies in a suiban ceramic container

A workshop led by Helen was held in Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall, 33 Ganges Road on Sunday October 12.

Helen provided the following notes:

For this workshop please cut your own materials, branches, leaves and/or flowers and observe how they were growing. It is then easy to make an ikebana arrangement, whether upright, slanting, or horizontal.

Over the years that I have been studying and teaching ikebana I have noticed that students who pick their own materials learn ikebana more quickly and show the materials to best advantage.

The idea for this workshop came to me from Julie Middleton. Julie studied ikebana with me for most of the last 10 years and I can’t remember her ever buying flowers.

She was an expert gardener and used materials from her garden in her ikebana. She also helped others with their garden maintenance and collected flowers and branches from these gardens. I would like you to use materials you pick yourself for this workshop as I have noticed that ikebanists who cut their own materials plan their ikebana ahead and don’t waste the plants.

Julie had special places to pick if she needed a certain material and you may find that you can do the same. If your neighbour has a branch that you want to use, do ask them first and usually people are happy to share.