Not mine; but a friend who is off to Japan on a five year Bonsai apprenticeship. John M is a very talented bonsai artist already so we all expect fantastic things from him once he becomes a Master.
For now though here is a link that will take you directly to the trees that John wishes to sell before he leaves. Quite a few too! Link HERE. Please contact John directly.
Hearty congratulations to John Trott of Mendip Bonsai on his RHS GOLD medal award for Chelsea Flower Show 2013. Not only is John one of life’s nicest people, he is also an incredibly talented Bonsai Artist.
Here follows a sample of his wonderful display for Chelsea 2013.
I know we have all been busy taking advantage of the milder conditions … but! From Sunday 10th March and more Monday, we get strong winds and minus temperatures. Feels like -8c will be the order of the day for Monday 11th.
Any trees not tied in firmly will require some degree of protection, as will and young buds with leaf forming require some protection from these arctic like winds. Burning of young buds and fresh foliage will happen; Acers being a prime example.
Stay warm!
I’ve long been a fan of Tony’s wonderful pots. He has an ability to make some very special Bonsai pots. During the 2013 Swindon show I was delighted to spend not only some time with Tony, I spent some money which no doubt he liked.
I’ll be sharing the purchases just as soon as a couple of maples are re-potted into said pots.
Tony has gigantic hands; how he makes some of those smaller pots is quite beyond me. I mean that with much respect Tony should you happen across this blog entry 
At the end of the show I could not resist just one more pot. It is shown below next to a AA battery. Pure skill. Oh and here is a link directly to his new pot site. HERE
Well it really was a great show this year; well to be truthful it is a great show every year. I cannot really imagine just how much work Paul and his team of helpers has to do before opening the doors.
I actually exhibited myself this year. After all these years being interested in Bonsai I had a tree included in a professional event. My first! Seemed quite odd really watching people taking pictures of my exhibit, and to some extent quite humbling really. Well, the time flew by, meeting friends of old and many new ones as well. I managed to keep my hands in my pocket but could not resist a new Tony Remington pot for ‘Stumpy.’ That is the Maple I dug up a few years ago from the garden. I’ll update once I repot in a couple of weeks time.
Oh well, enough waffle; I hope you enjoy these images.
This one was my own wee accent entry. The pair of Siberian Hedgehogs were looking over my Siberian Elm
I have three pots currently for sale. I am in Swindon next weekend so can bring with me.
Pot one is a large enough cascade pot purchased from Peter Chan ten years ago for £160. It is unmarked and as good as new. Top to base is 10.75 inches or 27.5cm. Width at neck which is virtually square is: 10.5 inches 26.5cm. At the very base it is 8″ square 22cm. Beautiful pot and quite a heavy one. On sale for a stupid price of £60.
Pot two is now SOLD
Pot three is SOLD
I’ve an on-going thread on the European Bonsai forums which is in some detail. If you’d like to follow and it’s a way off yet, then follow link and join the forum or just look if yoy so wish.
Many thanks.
Link HERE
Well weather has been mild here, very little rain so I’ve been pottering along with the stand for the Swindon show. Anyway, as a follow on to the earlier post here are a couple in progress. Oh, and for the person who asked what adhesive I like for wood working I have included a shot of that too
As for tools, I work with what I have. My own personal favourite is my Makita chop-saw. I use also a Dewalt plunge rail system saw. A router, several cordless drills and impact drivers; SHARP … REALLY sharp chisels, plenty of clamps, they make second, third and fourth hands, sharp drills, a palm sander and a Metabo belt sander which I prefer to a plane. A selection of belts is really helpful. oh and a Makita power file. I’d like a table saw and definitely a pillar drill plus a scroll saw .. for now though I will make do.
I’m using Danish oil for this Oak stand, several coats in fact, and surprisingly one of the best in my humble opinion is one sold under the Wilkinson / Wilko brand name. Picture at the end . It’ll be sand oil, nip, oil, nip, oil. Increasing grit to around 1000 grit for final coat. I’ve used 2500 grit paper in the past but 1000 is fine here.
Please remember I am simply a DIY’er; not a craftsman or joiner etc. It is taking me ages as I’m fitting it in around my health and darned Hospital visits. I’m thinking of applying for a season ticket I’ll update when I make a start on the supports underneath. As it is, they should be similar to my drawing from the earlier post.
I’ve been very fortunate; and to some degree, rather privileged to have had my Siberian Elm selected to be shown at the 2013 Swindon Winter Image Show.
Having never shown this tree in public other than a local Taunton & Somerset event, I must be honest and say with knees knocking I am I think, really looking forward to it. As the tree is really much larger than people imagine, I need a good quality display stand for said exhibition. The Swindon club very kindly through Paul the Chairman, offered me the use of a stand. Yes, it would have worked well but being a tad stubborn and determined I felt I must al least make every effort I can – to make one myself!
So with money and arthritis a serious problem my attempts to secure something cheap from a second hand furniture shop failed miserably. My stock reply when I asked how much they were asking for old cack that we have thrown better away was … “Are you having a larf mate?” I mean seriously the stuff I was looking at like small drop leaved tables with gouges and stains was going for like sixty quid and more!!!! Anyway, off to B&Q and their Richard Burbridge Oak wood was partly in the sale, and well reduced. So for what should have been £98.60 I handed over a paltry £21.80 for several lengths and bits … and ‘bobs.’
Here we have then a few images of some lengths stitched together and work in progress. I’m aiming for around twenty-four inches side-to-side; and, around seventeen inches front to back. Plan is make a top and ‘square’ it off with smooth Oak mitred around the edge. Then Mount to a rectangular frame which I have made by cutting down a length of architrave and skirting. Finally I will have a support at each side with a brace running from left to right underneath for strength. This then is the plan. I have included my AWFUL sketch I made to give me a start. Then follows work this far.
I will update as I progress.
Wish me Mrs Brown LUCK
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and an happy and healthy 2013 and beyond.
Mike
