January 22nd, 2017

The root stand workshop was terrific.  Although it was open to all members, many of us intrepid shohiners participated.  Sean Smith did a great job guiding us along and with a terrific sense of humor.

Sean Smith and his class. Starting point with pre-drilled blanks by Sean. He used 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drill bits for the side holes and a Forstner bit for boring out the insides of the thin blank.  A router can also be used.

Sean is using a Dremel with a 3/8" carbide burr bit.  The knees are useful "tool".  Part way through the process.

John showing how dusty it is with this project.  Jaya working on her stand with Dremel and 3/8" carbide burr bit.

Rough finish of the stands.  The "root" part of the stands could be further carved to create a balance of smaller and larger roots.  Once the carving is done, then the sanding of the roots begins with 120 grit, then 180 grit*.  You can continue with finer grits like 220 and then 320 if you want a very smooth surface.  The shape of the top can be sanded into a circle, rounded a bit more, or left as is.  Then the top is sanded to whatever grade you want.  

 *FYI - The finer the grit the less the stain will penetrate or the longer it takes for it to penetrate since the finer sanding closes off the grain more.  A good combo of smoothness and penetration is using 180 or 220.  After the stain and finish are applied then you can smooth the surface of the finish before you apply the final coatings of clear finish.  ​These stands will not be used rigorously but still must be handles carefully.  Sean recommended Deft clear finish.  It is a lacquer finish so it dries very fast and therefore will not accumulate little dust nibs nearly as much as a slower drying finish like Urethane.  However, urethane is a harder finish, more water and scratch resistant but lacquer is easier to sand and repair.

Now for the shohin part.  We had a shohin work day at Fred's the day after the root stand workshop.  Sean Smith is also an excellent bonsaiist.   We kept him busy.​

Sean working with Brenda refining her tree.  John working on an Elm

Shirley working on several trees.                                                        Another Elm by John.

Sylvia doing some fine wiring on a tiny Kishu Shimpaku about 3-4" tall.  Sean gave a power point presentation on displaying shohin.  This is a display showing the basic rules of display.

Another display following the rules of proper display.  A three point display showing proper spacing and "lean" of the plants.

These two displays are not quite right.  Left display: top tree a bit too big and leaning in the wrong direction, lack of space between the side tree/accent plant.  But, that could be allotted space during the show was limited and better suited for a 3 point display.  Right display has the same side tree/accent issue of lack of spacing from main display, top tree is a bit too big, the tree under the top tree is too large/too high on the stand for the space and the lower top tree is a bit too small.  You can see the bamboo delineator on the right the spacing of the side tree/accent is due to allotted space.

Sean made some interesting comments about displays.

• The allotted space issue as above, some times pots are used for highly personal reasons even though a more appropriate pot should be used.  
• If a display is too crowded the eyes do not move enough to see each element.  
• Eastern philosophy is pots should be the same size, western display allows different sized in pots.
• Pot selection is very important.  Use lots of thought before choosing.  
• Accent plants should look like they have been growing in the pot - no exposed soil.  It must show a direction.
• Stones are good for shohin displays.  Best displayed in a pot with moss.
• Either all trees are on stands or none are on stands.  Thin slabs are not considered a stand.