Workshop led by Kate Graham: Theme 'Creating Movement with Spiral Structures'

July 5, 2026 Ikebana Wellington

Our monthly workshop was held on Sunday July 5 in Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall, 33 Ganges Road.

Kate has provided the following notes:

In this workshop we will make spiral structures using bamboo skewers to incorporate in our arrangements. You will need to bring a packet of a least 100 skewers. They can be any length depending on the arrangement you will use them in.

In the picture below I used 20cm and 15cm lengths.

I will bring some cotton string and also some spray paint in white, red and gold which we will hopefully have time to use.

Please bring a container and simple materials for an arrangement.”

Kate demonstrating how to use skewers to enhance an arrangement

Kate used two with hazel branches with twisted skewers in a large ceramic vase

Kate demonstrating how to use skewers to enhance an arrangement

Carolyn arranged coprosma branches with a single chrysanthemum and twisted skewers in a ridged, raised container

Penny arranged used tall chrysanthemum and tulips with low hebe sprigs and a simple circle of skewers in a large black suiban container

Kathy arranged bird of paradise flowers and leaves with twisted skewers in a side opening container

Helen arranged vine and a single protea with twisted skewers in an interesting ceramic vase

Adriana arranged winter roses with twisted skewers around and under the glass vase

Yoko arranged kawakawa and small chrysanthemums with dyed, twisted skewers in a ceramic vase

Lyn arranged lilies and a delicate sprig with twisted skewers in a round low container

Sudama arranged a single camellia with twisted willow and skewers in a blue narrow vase

Sandi arranged tulips, protea, leaves and pohutukawa branches with twisted skewers in a round pottery container

Elizabeth stringing her dyed skewers

A Workshop led by Kathy Kerry: Theme 'Using Only One Kind of Material'

June 24, 2026 Ikebana Wellington

Kathy arranging strelitzia leaves, buds and flowers in a black raised container

Our monthly workshop was held on Sunday June 14, in Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall, 33 Ganges Road.

Kathy has provided the following notes:
“Theme Book 4, lesson 4, Using Only One Kind of Material.
The material can be only one kind, it can be fresh branches, leaves or flowers in any style. Please choose different materials including, flax, geraniums, hydrangeas, angelica, chrysanthemums, buttercups, alstroemeria, agapanthus. Being mid winter the options are somewhat limited.”

Kathy arranging calla leaves and buds in a tall brass container

Kathy arranging agapanthus leaves, seedhead and flowers in a tall black container

Kathy arranging clivia buds and flowers in a tall black container

Kathy arranging kawakawa leaves in a grey triangular container

Kate arranged strelitzia leaves and dried painted flower heads in a mid century Japanese vase

Masako arranged macrocarpa leaves and bark across two large rocks

Lyn arranged dark red camellia flowers, buds and leaves in a low triangular container

Adriana arranged fading hydrangea flowers in two contrasting containers

Lois arranged fading hydrangea flowers in a matching handmade container

Sandi arranged camellia buds, flowers and branches in a low ceramic container

Sandi arranged strong rhubarb seed heads and leaves in a tall, white banded vase

Alyson arranged nandina in contrasting black and white vases

Setsuko arranged umbrella sedge leaves and flowers in a triangular black container

Sudama arranged fennel flowersleaves and stalks in a delicate pale blue container

Glenys arranged daffodils in a low bamboo container

Yoko arranged an orchid stalk of flowers and leaves in low ceramic vase

Penny arranged kawakawa branches in a low black container

Sharon arranged aloe vera flowers and leaves in a low rectangular container

Elizabeth arranged several stalks of umbrella sege and flowers in a low circular container

What ikebana Can Do Today - A Workshop Led by Helen Wareham

May 10, 2026 Ikebana Wellington

Helen arranging magnolia leaves in a beautiful cane basket

Our May workshop was held in Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall venue on Sunday May 10. ‘What Ikebana Can Do Today’ was led by Helen Wareham and was very thoughtfully responded to by our creative members.

Helen provided the following notes:
In this theme, think about what roles ikebana can play in your future.

It may be that you do an ikebana arrangement to display in a new place,
Lead a workshop for people who wish to learn about ikebana,
Make an arrangement which shows your thoughts on ikebana,
Maybe for a special occasion,
Highlighting a special material or container.
I will talk about various opportunities we have to display our ikebana and also my experience with workshops for beginners. Our ikebana Wellington group has several items that we can use for ikebana exhibitions and workshops, including publicity materials and tablecloths and our teachers are happy to share their advice. Teaching regular classes does not suit everyone, but you can learn by helping at a beginner workshop.

Helen showing how to use kensan

Helen demonstrating an arrangement of a branch of pittisporum and freesias in a suiban container

Helen demonstrating using magnolia branches and nandina in a cane basket

Helen used two red glass containers to show anthurium flowers and leaves

Adriana used two glass containers to show three agapanthus stalks and large leaves

Elizabeth arranged a variety of lilac material in a cane basket

Sudama showed her growth in learning ikebana with camellia flowers and branches in a beautiful container from Nagoya

Lyn arranged flax leaves, dried grass and branch with beautiful dark red camellia flowers in a tall containers

Glenys arranged alstroemeria with curved flax leaves and driftwood in an interesting vase

Setsuko arranged erica sprigs, leucadendron with driftwood in a pottery vase to be viewed all round

Sandi arranged a variety of materials, including lasiandra/tibouchina in two vases

Kate found a fallen lichen-covered branch in her garden to arrange across two low containers with azalea and bare branches

Kathy arranged three agapanthus heads, fuschia, leaves and wisteria vine with a tall piece of bamboo in an interesting container

Yoko arranged lilies, small chrysanthemums and guava fruit in two ceramic containers

Masako arranged umbrella reeds, salvia and small pink flowers and large leaves in a suiban container

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