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Ikebana Workshop At The NSAGC Convention

Added on June 5, 2023 by the ikebana shop.

Last weekend (Jun 2-4, 2023) was the annual convention of the Nova Scotia Association of Garden Clubs. Members from all over the province gather together to make friends, share ideas, and learn about the latest in gardening. The venue for the convention rotates around the different regions and this year, it was held in Halifax.

On the first day, we were happy to present an ikebana workshop to introduce the basic principles of ikebana to interested members.

We also presented a demonstration of ikebana where arrangements were created live.

We thank everyone for the their warm welcome. We hope you enjoyed!

A Visit From The Consul-General of Japan

Added on October 16, 2022 by the ikebana shop.

It was a great honour to have Consul-General Saito and Vice-Consul Inaba from the Consulate of Japan in Montreal visit our shop and ikebana studio last Wednesday (Oct 12th) during their official visit to Halifax. In the photo is the Consul-General with Miyako. The arrangement in the back was the one displayed at the Japanese Film Festival held at St. Mary’s University last Oct 13th.

在モントリオール日本国総領事館の斎藤総領事と稲葉副領事がハリファックス公式訪問の際に、生け花ショップと生け花スタジオにお立ち寄りくださいました。大変光栄です。写真は総領事とみやこです。後ろに写っている作品はセントメリー大学で開かれた日本映画祭の会場に飾られました。

Sogetsu Ikebana Exhibition In Halifax 2022

Added on May 16, 2022 by the ikebana shop.

After 2 years of not being able to really go out and about, we were very happy to be able to present a live ikebana exhibition once again! For sure, many ikebana artists continued to publish their floral arrangements online during the pandemic (including our own virtual exhibition last year!) but there is always that extra dimension when the arrangements are in front of us. We can feel the depth, switch angles, and even smell the subtle scents! And so we were ecstatic when the Halifax Central Library approached us for a collaboration. This exhibition was held on May 13th-15th, 2022, as part of the Asian Heritage Month celebrations,

Our special thanks to Kassondra Torraville, Regional Programming Lead for the Halifax Central Library for her wonderful support. The planning had gone very smoothly!

Our thanks to our students who gave their time, effort and talents to this exhibition: Leo A, Media C, Michelle C, Odessa G, Lyla H, Robert L, Susan R, and Val S. We hope the experience has been as rewarding for you as it has been for us.!

Arrangement by Leo Artalejo
Variation No. 1 Upright Style Nageire

Arrangement by Media Chalabi 美虹 (“Miko”)
Free-style: “Hope”

Arrangement by Michelle Ciach
Variation No. 4 Slanting Style Nageire

Arrangement by Odessa Godbold
Free-style

Arrangement by Lyla Hage
Variation No. 1 Slanting Style Moribana

Arrangement by Robert Lee
Variation No. 5 Upright Style Moribana

Arrangement by Susan Roberson
Free-style
The vase was made by Lunenburg-based NS pottery artist Jason Remai.

Arrangement by Val Spencer
Free-style: “One Flower, One Branch”

Arrangements by Miyako Ballesteros

Joint Arrangement by Val Spencer & Miyako Ballesteros
This work sat atop 2 tall shelves and was designed to be viewed from a low angle.

Some of the people behind this exhibition. Sorry we did not get a chance to get everyone together!

Sakura Tree Pop-Up Sale

Added on August 29, 2021 by the ikebana shop.

If you have been dreaming of growing a Japanese cherry blossom tree in your yard, this is your chance!

In collaboration with Maple Grove Nursery (Annapolis Valley NS), we are bringing sakura trees to Halifax! This is a one-day pop-up sale event so please save the date: Sep 4th, 2021, Saturday, 12:00-4:00 pm.

There will be several varieties to choose from. The folks from Maple Grove Nursery will be there to answer your questions and give advice to grow & maintain your trees.

All sales will be transacted directly with Maple Grove Nursery. Cash, Visa, MasterCard and e-transfer payments accepted. Sorry, no debit cards. Prices are subject to HST. Pricing can be seen in their website. Availability is subject to change without prior notice

The trees are grown in Ellepots. They are soilless media wrapped in a fully biodegradable and plantable paper membrane. The major advantages of plants grown this way are:

Absolutely no root bound plants or root circling as with plants grown in pots.
No root disturbance or transplant shock when planted.
Easy to plant.
If planted in the growing season, the plant will go into active growth immediately.
Environmentally friendly and fully sustainable production.
No plastic pot to deal with. (The only plastic used in production are the air pruning trays, which can be used hundreds of times and never leave the nursery.)

*(Image courtesy of Maple Grove Nursery.)*

To answer some of the questions that you may want to ask….

Q: Will the sakura trees survive the NS climate?
A: Yes! Have you seen the beautiful sakura in the Dartmouth Commons?

Q: When will the sakura bloom?
A: Young trees will bloom in the spring and each spring thereafter, more & more blooms will come as the tree grows. Blooming season in NS is around mid-May.

Q: When should the tree be planted?
A: If you purchase a tree at the the pop-up, please plant them on the same or next day. In general, autumn is the best time to plant the tree.

Q: How do we take care of the tree? *
A: Supplying water to new plantings and fertilizing in the spring are very important. (There will be fertilizer available for sale as well at the Pop-Up event.) Cherry blossom trees also respond very well to pruning. Also, protect them from deer who might want nibble on them!

Q: ….and in the winter? *
A: Stake the tree. Keep the roots hydrated leading up to freeze up.

Q: Can the tree be used for bonsai?
A: Yes, but the sakura are grafted and from experience, most bonsai growers do not like that.

*Maple Grove Nursery will be happy to provide on-going support to help gardeners grow their sakura trees.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Updated Sep 4, 2021

What a great turnout! The trees were sold out by 2 p.m. We thank everyone who came. We hope your trees grow strong with beautiful blooms! We apologize to those who could not find what they were looking for (because we sold out very quickly!) Please contact Maple Grove Nursery directly; they have lots more at the farm! Last but not least, thank you Michelle for taking the time and effort to bring your lovely sakura trees to Halifax!

Quinpool x Ikebana Virtual Exhibition

Added on May 9, 2021 by the ikebana shop.

This online exhibit is also hosted at the Quinpool Road website. Click here.

See the slideshow. Scroll down all the way to the end!

In collaboration with the Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association and the many businesses on Quinpool Road, Halifax (which is our home too!), we are pleased to present this virtual ikebana exhibition. This exhibit had been originally planned to be held live at The Atlantica Hotel until the 3rd wave of the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the city went into lockdown.

The theme of this exhibit is to showcase local businesses on Quinpool using ikebana. The artists looked at each business and looked for inspiration. They found ideas from the business' logo designs, their dominant colours, the products they sell, the overall atmosphere of the establishments, etc. Please have a look at each arrangement and see if you can find the connection(s) with the intended business. Some are obvious; some are subtle. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did creating them!

We thank the QRMDA and the many businesses who agreed to participate and allowed us to use their logos/images.

This exhibit is presented by Sogetsu ikebana teacher, Miyako Ballesteros, and her students.

Revised Poster Discover the Art of Ikebana.jpg

Welcome to our online exhibit! Had there not been a lockdown, we would’ve been at the Atlantica Hotel and this arrangement would have greeted everyone at the entrance to the Commons Room! The “A” of the hotel logo re-imagined with tree branches!

Atlantica Hotel Halifax

Red and white blooms to depict the colours of the hotel’s logo. An elegant, relaxed atmosphere…just like the hotel. Arrangement by Nina Dandurand.

Aerobics First

This arrangement is filled with movement, reminiscent of trail running and downhill skiing. Are those white tulips like the snow you kick up as you slash through fresh powder? Arrangement by Midia Chalabi.

Blue Olive Greek Taverna

White flowers and a blue vase to honour the traditional colours of Greece. The slanted style is relaxed, reminiscent of reclining on the beaches of Santorini! Arrangement by Leo Artalejo.

Busan Korean BBQ

The imagery is a bowl of bibimbap, and some fiery red flames shooting up to grill your kalbi and bulgogi! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

The Cheeky Neighbour Diner

We love this dandy cat and his elegant top hat! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Clay Cafe

A colourful place deserves a colourful arrangement! The mugs were made at the Clay Cafe, of course! Arrangement by Odessa Godbold.

Dilly Dally Coffee Cafe

The bright turquoise facade of Dilly Dally is now an unmistakable landmark. Good coffee, good vibes, a great place to relax! Arrangement by Brenda Diabo.

Freeman’s Little New York

Margherita to Go! Take out boxes were de-constructed to create a whole new vase. Plant material served up as the toppings. See them spilling out as you open the pizza box! Arrangement by Susan Robertson.

Garrison Brewing Company

Black and white, like the cow patches on the Déjà Moo beer can. Plus gypsophilia for the beer froth up top! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Hairs To Ya

The red-white-blue of the barber's pole comes alive and seems to go 'round & 'round in this arrangement. Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

HFX Wanderers FC

The beautiful blues of the Wanderers' logo inspired this arrangement! Olé, olé, olé! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

King Of Donair

The distinctive crown of the king, recreated with aspidestra leaves, bejeweled with tulips and roses! And, a wrapped donair on the side! Arrangement by Midia Chalabi.

Liberty Tax Service

When we think of Liberty Tax, it's always the deep red of the maple leaf that comes to mind first! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Long Alley Bicycles

The black-and-white arrangement uses anastasias with spindly petals reminiscent of the spokes of a bicycle wheel. And those curvy, slanting branches look like a map of your next bike trail adventure! Arrangement by Heather Neville.

Lucky Penny Coffee Company

Cinnamon-coloured rose clusters with spring blooming forsythia in a copper vase, paired with a sunflower mug in recognition of the floral wallpaper in the cafe. Lucky pennies are strewn to enhance the space around the vase . Arrangement by Linda Campbell.

Morris East

The ruscus Italian leaves look just like the patterns on the pizza box! The use of tomatoes is no accident either...fresh tomato sauce make a delicious pizza! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Naan n Curry

Red hot chili peppers for spicy curries! And do the big golden leaves remind you of naan bread? Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Nautilus Aquatics and Hobbies Supply Store

Scuba diving is the name of the game! And, to anyone who's ever built plastic models, those runners on the structure should be quite familiar. Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Oddfellows Barbershop

This mannequin is certainly well coiffed! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros

The Other Bean

Cucumbers for your pickles...for your sandwiches wrapped in checkered black-and-white paper! The dog leash, of course, is for Bean, the dog--the original Bean! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Oxford Learning Halifax

Books and flowers...not the usual combination but why not? Purposeful clutter! Arrangement by Robert Lee.

Propeller Brewing Company

Glittered fish bowls take us to the luminescent purple sky as we sip Galaxy beer! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Pro Skates

Looking at this arrangement, can you almost feel the wind through your hair as you skate down Quinpool Road? Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Quinpool Billiards

Do you see the colourful balls and cue sticks in this one? Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Quinpool Shoe Repair

The high heel fix! Can you see the stylish shoe? Pussy willows, poppy stems and pods were painted in the red & black of the shop's signage. And don't miss the "shoelaces" on this stylish shoe! Arrangement by Susan Robertson.

Sarah & Tom

The huge Pikachu in their show window certainly leaves an indelible impression! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Sweet Hereafter

Lovely reds on black, a place for sweet hearts! Arrangement by Michelle Ciach.

Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio

Wooden boards, place mats, doilies and the like can be used in ikebana to create space around an arrangement. A yoga mat can do the job too! The dracaena leaves portrays the sun rays in the TAYS logo. Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

The Trail Shop

The great outdoors represented in this arrangement with a mini kayaker. And did you notice that the succulent aloe vera leaves resemble the rays on the logo? Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Trinity Jewellers

Triangles in triangles...just like the diamonds! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Truly Tasty

Make sure you check the vase...it's a ramen bowl! Don't the gnarly, curly dried wood remind you of noodles? Ready to eat with chopsticks and soup spoon! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Utility Tatttoo

This arrangement looks spidery and has spidery things in them...just like the logo! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Vogue Optical

Cool sunglasses in a bright shade of blue! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

Yanjing Chinese Restaurant

The bright yellow and maroon come alive in the form of sunflowers and a brightly polished vase. Entwined pussy willow branches represent the moving dragon. And of course, a Chinese restaurant must have chopsticks and plates! Arrangement by Miyako Ballesteros.

We hope you enjoyed our exhibit! We’d like to thank all our students who put a lot of time and effort to this project. It certainly turned out to be a different kind of experience! Hopefully, we can do something live again in 2022!

This slideshow was put together by Sandra Conrad of the QRMDA. Thank you, Sandra!

Autumn Origami Workshop

Added on September 20, 2019 by the ikebana shop.

Finally, we are able to organize an origami workshop!

Details:
Date & Time: Oct 5th (Sat), 2:00-3:00 pm
Place: the ikebana shop
Fee: 7.00+HST (includes the paper) = 8.05 per person

Please see attached poster to see what we will be learning to make.

This workshop is suitable for "patient" beginners and above!

Maximum participants: 8 persons (first come first served!)
Please register with your payment to book your spot.
You can register in-store, by email or phone. Payments may be done in-store, by e-transfer (if registering by email) or with a credit card over the phone. Payments are non-refundable. Thank you for your understanding.

Connecting - An Ikebana Exhibition in Lunenburg NS

Added on June 4, 2019 by the ikebana shop.

Connecting - An Ikebana Exhibition was held on June 1-2, 2019 at the Lunenburg Library in the historic town of Lunenburg, on the South Shore of Nova Scotia. Founded in 1773, the town itself is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its narrow streets and well-preserved architecture. It is also the birthplace of the famed Bluenose, a racing schooner built in 1921, which lives on in the Canadian ten-cent coin. Lunenburg has a very vibrant arts community and ikebana fit right in. The library is housed in the Lunenburg Academy, an imposing 3-storey Victorian building, built in 1893-95.

This exhibition’s theme is “connecting”. Through ikebana, we connect people, nature and cultures. It is also an expression of our wish to deepen further our bond with the South Shore. We thank the South Shore Public Libraries and the staff of the Lunenburg Library in particular for your very warm welcome and your patience as we prepared for this event.

This exhibition is also part of the on-going celebrations of the 90th anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations.

Group Arrangement by Val S, Susan R and Miyako
Three arrangements all using a red furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth) as a unifying theme.

This is our "group arrangement" at our ikebana exhibition at the Lunenburg Library, held June 1-2, 2019. All used a red furoshiki (wrapping cloth) as a common, unifying theme.

Arrangements by Lely A
Lely created 4 arrangements in the basic styles and peppered them all around the library. Her work exuded a lot of tranquility and somehow brought a feeling of kindness to the library. Many people commented how they loved seeing the ikebana tucked in the little corners of the library.

The small arrangement placed right on an old water fountain was a big hit! Nobody imagined that could be a place for a floral arrangement.

Arrangement by Val S
Val paired her arrangement with a woodblock print by artist and master printmaker, Robin Wall. The artwork, titled Light/Boat Patterns (1989), depicted boats at North Head Harbour in Grand Manan, NB. Val introduced nautical elements in her work with mesh wire, branches and grass, intricately put together into a shape that brings to mind the prow of a boat, or perhaps fishing nets being dried on the wharf.

Arrangements by Susan R
Susan, who is based in Mahone Bay, was our point person for this project and did a lot of the legwork!

Wall arrangement. Susan liked the "boxiness" of the euonymous branches. She then added a smooth willow branch for texture contrast and a bit of quince for colour contrast. One visitor exclaimed: "There's so much je-ne-sais-quoi in this work!"

An arrangement with driftwood and obi spilling down to the bottom…did you notice the blue-painted branches in the back that provided beautiful colour contrast?

…and a simple coffee table arrangement!

Arrangements by Miyako
The centrepiece for this exhibit is this large work that showed a clash of curly and smooth branches…but ultimately making a connection in the middle.

And some smaller arrangements: table top and door hanging.

Miyako’s demonstration was very well-attended. We loved the audience enthusiasm and interest! There were audible gasps when Miyako took out some weeds with big leaves from the bucket and started using them in an arrangement. Yes, weeds can be ikebana material too!

And here’s the gang that made this exhibition possible. Thank you very much Val, Susan, Lely and Martin (who worked behind-the-scenes!).

My Ikebana: Asian Heritage Month Demonstration

Added on May 27, 2019 by the ikebana shop.

Last Saturday afternoon (May 25, 2019) was the Asian Heritage Month closing celebration at the Halifax Central Library. There were many wonderful cultural performances from India, China, Philippines, Japan etc. We were honoured to participate and present an ikebana demonstration.

Our many thanks to our kuroko , Karen B for helping us in the shadows, on- and off-stage…and to friend, Christina K for taking the great photos!

Here’s a fun photo with the St. Mary’s University Wadaiko (Japanese drums) group. They gave a very exciting performance too!

Press Release: Connecting - An Ikebana Exhibition

Added on May 18, 2019 by the ikebana shop.

For Immediate Release - May 18th, 2019

Ikebana on the South Shore of Nova Scotia!

Connecting - An Ikebana Exhibition will be held at the Lunenburg Library on the weekend of June 1-2, 2019.

Ikebana is the art of Japanese floral arrangement. This exhibition’s theme is “connecting”. Through ikebana, we connect people, nature and cultures.

This event is part of the 90th anniversary celebration of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations.

The exhibition will be presented by Miyako Ballesteros (Sogetsu School of Ikebana) and her students. Please come and enjoy the ikebana.

Admission is free.

Connecting - An Ikebana Exhibition

Jun 1st (Sat) 10 - 5 p.m. *
Jun 2nd (Sun) 12 - 4 p.m.
*Short live demonstration on Saturday, 2:00 p.m.

At the Lunenburg Library (Lunenburg Academy 1F, 97 Kaubach St., Lunenburg NS)

We hope to see you there.

20190601 exhibit Connecting Lunenburg Library final small file.jpg

Surprise! - An Ikebana Exhibition

Added on May 15, 2019 by the ikebana shop.

Surprise! - An Ikebana Exhibition was held last May 10-12, 2019 at the Keshen Goodman Library in Halifax. We chose the theme “surprise” with the bold mission to surprise people with what they can do with oft taken for granted plants that are easily found in backyards and roadsides! So in this exhibit, you’d have seen familiar things, —pine and spruce branches, magnolia, quince, bridal wreath and lots of tree bark—alongside blooms from the florist! Thank you to all who visited us! We hope you enjoyed the arrangements as much as we did creating them!

We are very grateful to the Keshen Goodman Library who let us use their beautiful space. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful! Special mention to Dacia M. for her patience with us. Preparations and take-down could not have gone any smoother!

This exhibition is part of the on-going celebrations of the 90th anniversary of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations. It also coincided with the Asian Heritage Month festivities in Halifax.

To the people who made this possible: Val S, Susan R, Nina D, Media C, Jean H, Robert L, Brenda D, Heather N, M. S., Linda K and Cody O. A very BIG thank-you! Your hard-work and dedication to ikebana are very much appreciated. We hope to do another exhibition next year!

Arrangement by Jean H
We are welcomed to the exhibit by this floor position arrangement by Jean H. Hydrangea, magnolia and delphinium.

Arrangement by Val S
How Val deftly peeled away the bark from a fallen birch tree is beyond us! Pink lines and pink blooms accent the white bark perfectly.

Arrangement by Susan R
A lovely vase (origin unknown but acquired at the local Xmas market in Mahone Bay!) paired with driftwood from Nova Scotia’s shores. Something very wabi-sabi about this!

Arrangements by Nina D
Nina uses spirea branches called bridal wreath. The shrub with droopy branches grow all over Nova Scotia and blooms with little white flowers…but for these arrangements, Nina uses them not for the flowers but to show lines.

Arrangements by Media C
Exotic-looking vases! Gentle curves of delicate grass contrasted with a chunk of rough, fallen wood!

Arrangement by Robert L
Robert says he never heard of Bells of Ireland till he started ikebana lessons…and now he just absolutely loves them!

Arrangement by Brenda D
Brenda tells us that weeks before the exhibit, she already mentally placed “reserved” tags on select branches of the spruce tree in her backyard. ..and behold, a nageire with very strong lines. The addition of a piece of bark at the bottom anchors the forceful upward surge of those branches.

Arrangement by Heather N
Quince branches and lilies. This arrangement was evolving as the lilies started to bloom during the 3-day exhibit!

Arrangement by M.S.
May is the month when irises bloom in Japan as well so this arrangement connects us to the seasons in Japan as well! Irises normally grow straight up but M.S. bends these irises to her will!

Arrangement by Linda K
This arrangement is meant to be seen all around.

Arrangement by Cody O
In ikebana, the clearness of the water is an important element. Cody O gives us more to appreciate by adding some blooms in the water!

Arrangements by Miyako
A convolution of corkscrew willow branches, crisscrossing in brightly painted red and natural colours. (Thank you, Nina D, for bringing these branches, freshly pruned, from the Annapolis Valley!)

There is a pine tree in our backyard that fell after a strong storm some years ago. Recently, its old bark started coming off…and this is showcased in this arrangement. Miyako inserted some pine needles to remind us that the bark was from a pine tree. With the aged bark, Miyako added some young, budding magnolia branches! The vase is by local pottery artist, Sally Ravindra (Purcell’s Cove Pottery).

These uncannily curving branches were found on the roadside. Arranged on a tall vertical vase with a few tufts of moss added to give some sense of motion…like a pinwheel!

Last but certainly not least…thank you, Kent Martin, for visiting the exhibition and allowing us to use your photos. Kent Martin is a professional photographer/film producer who is currently working on The Halifax Project—a documentary of our beloved city, Halifax NS!

Updated Aug 10, 2020

This exhibition won an award! Please click on the image to see the details!