We love to get crafty in our shop!
See our cat pin buttons...
We gave each one a name because they are all hand-made and one-of-a-kind! Which one do you like?
Made in Nova Scotia. $3.50 ea.
(All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)
Edo Furin
It's a breezy day today and our furin (wind chimes) are busy tinkling away.
We are sure you are familiar with the iron wind chimes. They do give a very pleasant ring with the gentle wind. But amidst the iron tinkles, you might hear the odd, dull clunk of a glass wind chime. This is the Edo furin, made from glass. Despite its less sonorous chime, it is by no means the poorer cousin of the iron furin from the north. Many people enjoy the stubby clink of the Edo furin. The glass wind chime is traditionally hand-blown and hand-painted on the inside.
(Photo by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)
Have a listen...
And this gives you an idea how they are made.
QuinFest Fun!
Thank you to all who visited Quinpool Road on QuinFest yesterday. We were very happy to see the street alive and bustling.
Our tiny fishing pool was surrounded all the time with little hands trying to hook their target yo-yo water balloons. We loved hearing the shrieks of delight from the children. 500 balloons were quick to disappear! We hope you all had fun. ....and we'll see you all again in next year's QuinFest!
We would like to thank the Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association for organizing this annual event. We also thank the weather for being such a great sport!
(Photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)
Quinfest! Sep 17th (Sat) 11AM - 3PM
This coming Saturday, Sept 17th (Sat) 11AM - 3PM. Pencil it in your calendars! It's Quinfest (formerly the Quinpool Fall Fair of previous years). A great day of family fun along Quinpool Rd. Lots of stuff going on along the street. Our shop will have the water balloon fishing game (it's free!) for the little ones! We'll see you there!
(Photo by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)
Dahlias Transformed
Last Sunday, we chanced upon an exhibit by the Dahlia Society of Nova Scotia. (http://www.dahlianovascotia.com/index.php) They were showcasing their perfectly grown dahlias. We could feel the care and devotion that were given to bring these blooms into this beautiful culmination! We were also lucky enough to bring home some of the flowers at the end of the day.
Here is a little ikebana arrangement using some of the lovely dahlias. We used a soft vine and let it flow down from the mass of dahlia. The arrangement is currently displayed at the shop.
(Photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)
20110907 Valerie Sokolenko
After our August break, ikebana lessons have started again! Valerie uses *susuki* grass in this arrangement that emphasizes straight lines.
Does anyone know what is the local name for this grass?
Photo by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.
Our New Shop Window Display
Have you seen our new shop window display? They're made of origami. Maybe we're trying to keep the sun a little longer with us! (^-^)
(All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)
This Wood Is Special! Shoji Divider - Hand-Made in NS
This wooden shoji divider was hand-made by Stephen Sekerak, a woodcraftsman based on the Eastern Shore. He was the craftsman-in-residence for many years at the Dalhousie University School of Architecture, until he retired some years ago. Most of the architects in town would definitely know him!
The shoji paper is from Japan. But it's the wood that's special... The Sacred Heart School of Halifax recently built a boys' high school (the Fountain Academy of the Sacred Heart) on the lot adjacent to the old building. In the process, some old grey elm trees had to be cut down. Steve saw the trees and offered his woodworking magic to the school. From that old grey elm, a lectern, an altar and a tabernacle were created. These now can be found in the Sacred Heart chapel. From the remainder of the wood, this shoji divider was made.
By the way, the lattice is fastened with small screws. Steve assures us that it can detached in case there is a need to replace parts of the shoji screen. (Think little fingers poking holes into them!)
(Photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)
Donabe - Japanese Hot Pot
As the weather gets colder, it will soon be time to use the donabe ("earthenware pot"). It is a Japanese clay pot that can be used to cook over open flame (or put inside the oven). Normally, the Japanese donabe is placed over a portable cooking stove at the centre of the dining table. Broth is boiled and ingredients like tofu, vegetables, mushrooms, fish or meat, noodles etc are added and cooked into a light soupy stew. While waiting for the food to cook, conversation (and the wine maybe?) flows. Then, the family shares the meal. Each member scoops their portions onto their bowls, dip the food in soy sauce or ponzu (soy plus citrus sauce) and eat with rice. It makes a hearty meal and, perhaps more importantly, gets the family together too!
Donabe and "Japanese Hot Pots" cookbook available at the shop.
(Photo by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)
Hand-Made Wooden Screen
The beauty of hand-made! This wooden screen divider has slats made of bamboo. There unevenness makes this piece all the more interesting!
Made in Japan. $350.00 (in Canadian dollars.) Subject to HST where applicable.
(All photos by the ikebana shop. All rights reserved.)