A Workshop lead by Els Schnabel demonstrating the use of various Fixtures in Ikebana Arrangements

March 9, 2025 Ikebana Wellington

Els demonstrating a fixing method in a tall glass container

On Sunday March 9, we met in the Khandallah Presbyterian Church, 33 Ganges Road for a workshop lead by Els Schnabel. She demonstrated various methods of fixing material in a tall glass container. A handout sheet with instructions, diagrams and photographs allowed members to follow Els demonstration. A tall glass vase was used to show the fixings and an arrangement in a tall ceramic vase to show the result of fixings.

Els demonstrating a fixing for material to stand in a vase without touching the side of the container

Els discussing Elizabeth's arrangement of erica branches and nerines in a matching tall red vase

Julie's arranged white flowers and olive branches in a tall blue vase

Jackie arranged chrysanthemums and ornamental grape branches in a tall ceramic vase

Sharon arranged white chrysanthemums with grape branches in tall, decorated container

Glenys arranged nerines and rosemary branches revealing fixings in a tall glass container

Helen arranged kohuhu branches, leucadendron and alstromeria flowers in a tall steel vase

Setsuko arranged a single hydrangea with branches of griselinia-kapuka in a white U-shaped container

Bron arranged nerines and delicate flower sprigs with broad leaves in a tall ceramic container

Elizabeth arranged erica branches with nerines in a matching tall red container

Masako arranged a sprig of yellow flowers with a magnolia branch and greenery in a tall shiny vase

Takako arranged protea flowers with a kowhai branch and foliage in a tall ceramic vase

Takako arranged orange flowers with ngaio branches revealing fixings in a tall glass container

Sandi arranged small green chrysanthemums with a Japanese maple branch in a tall yellow vase

Nicole arranged lilies and a ngaio branch and foliage in a tall glass container to reveal fixings

A Workshop lead by Elizabeth McMillan with a Focus on Gladioli

February 9, 2025 Ikebana Wellington

Elizabeth demonstrating how to arrange gladioli in a tall ceramic vase

We met for our first workshop in 2025 on Sunday February 9 in the Khandallah Presbyterian Church, 33 Ganges Road.

Elizabeth lead our first workshop demonstrating three ways to arrange gladioli in our ikebana. Members were asked to think of ways to showcase these majestic flowers and use either moribana or nageire containers to do so.

Elizabeth arranged gladioli with bent reeds and trimmed umbrella papyrus leaves in an angular container

Elizabeth arranging pink gladioli with pineapple plant, hydrangea and purple flowers in a low container

Lyn arranged purple gladioli and leaves with rosemary in a low container

Adriana arranged several red gladioli and leaves with dark foliage in a low container

Sharon arranged orange gladioli and leaves with yellow button flowers and greenery in a low black container

Helen arranged gladioli flowers with pohutukawa branches with masses of seed heads in a tall white vase

Julie balanced three gladioli and fennel seed heads in a low square container

Masako arranged several gladioli and leaves with long branches in a tall decorated vase

Yoko arranged gladioli in matching low containers

Glenys arranged yellow gladioli and leaves with white daisies in a low container

Kathy arranged cream gladioli and leaves with yellow and orange flowers and spinnaker weed in a black triangular shaped container

Natalie arranged purple gladioli with hydrangea leaves, purple flowers and privet branches in a low black container

Marcia arranged purple gladioli and leaves with nasturtium, cacti and seed heads in a low container

Setsuko arranged orange gladioli with hydrangea leaves and pine twig in a beautiful, red slipper shaped container

Sandi arranged red gladioli and leaves with flax and native foliage in a beautiful Japanese slipper shaped container

Takako Oshima led a workshop on Celebration Flowers

December 1, 2024 Ikebana Wellington

Takako demonstrating flowers for New Year

Our last workshop for the year was held in the Khandallah Presbyterian Church Hall on Sunday, December 1st. The workshop was taken by Takako Oshima on Celebration Flowers. There are several textbook arrangements for celebrations as often we arrange ikebana when guests are coming. A Christmas or New Year arrangement is appropriate for this time of year, or maybe a wedding celebration or Christening this summer.

Takako provided special notes about Ikebana for New Year:

In Japan, New Year's arrangement is the most popular arrangements for celebrations. New Year’s arrangements typically include auspicious items such as pine, sacred berries like senryou (Christmas berry), and nanten (nandina), along with kiku (chrysanthemums), which are believed to have medicinal properties promoting longevity. As you select the materials and vase for your arrangement, I hope you will consider what occasion or celebration the flowers will represent, reflecting on the meaning and significance behind the choice.　

Book 5 tells us “Make an arrangement to express the wholehearted feeling of celebration”. And “Never forget that arrangements for celebrations are made primarily for showing your congratulatory feelings to the recipients”

Book 5, lesson 11 Arrangements for Celebrations
Book 4, lesson 19 Specific Scenes, Occasions or Spaces
Book 1, lesson 20 and Book 2, lesson 20 Special Materials and Arrangements for Festive Occasions.

Takako demonstrating flowers for New Year - pine, lilies and fern leaves

Takako used pine, lilies, montbretia and vine in a pottery vase

Takako used pine, lilies and fern leaves in a tall vase

In a low open vase Takako arranged pine, lilies, Billy Buttons and a Japanese paper ornament for New Year

Masako arranged a strong silver-backed pine with cones, flax flowers and daisies in an interesting container

Julie arranged agapanthus flowers, statice, rimu and fern leaves in a tall, open bamboo container

Lyn arranged hydrangea flowers and leaves with gold stars for effect in a rectangular container

In a low container, Adriana arranged variegated coprosma branches with ivy and camellia

In a beautiful wide glass container, Helen arranged anthurium flowers, and tall lilies with leaves

In a long, low container, Sharon arranged flowering cherry branches with bronze lilies and grey karo buds

In a tall, Japanese pottery container, Yoko arranged a pine branch with chrysanthemums and nandina

In a low pottery container, Kathy arranged a pine branch, Queen Anne lace, salvia and a single magnolia flower

In a tall, wide pottery vase, Nicole arranged a pine branch, a flowering pohutukawa branch and hydrangea flowers

Glenys arranged a collection of purple and white flowers with peacock feathers to celebrate the spirituality of Christmas

In a tall metallic vase, Elizabeth arranged pine branches, gerberas, pohutukawa buds and berries enhanced with mizuhiki to celebrate Christmas

Hand-sewn and embroidered hanging for Christmas in the Khandallah Presbyterian Church

Our creative Sogetsu group at our last workshop for 2024

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