Stoneware bonsai containers by Sara Rayner

I caught up with Sara Rayner at the recent US National Bonsai Exhibition in Rochester, New York, where she nearly sold out on the exhibit’s first day. I quickly set aside a number of pots while there was still a good selection available and was happy I did – there was very little left by the end of the weekend.

Green round pot

Sara Rayner signature

Like many others, I’ve been using Sara’s pots for a long time. She has been making bonsai pots exclusively for the past 16 years. Her work has proved popular as the shapes and styles are very usable. As such, she’s become one of the best-known American bonsai potters working today.

Creme-colored oval

Creme-colored oval with trident maple, 2012

One of the fun things about glazed pots is that you often get two pots for the price of one. Here’s a green oval that offers a very different appearance on each side.

Green glazed oval

As seen from the other side

It’s worth mentioning that Sara’s pots are very durable which makes them good for cold climates where winter freezes can easily break non-vitreous pots. A note about her work from her website:

All pots are hand thrown and altered on a potters wheel, and are made of high quality stoneware clays. They are high fired at 2400 degrees F., and are completely vitreous (non porous), frost proof, and extremely durable. The stoneware clay has a lot of tooth, and a warm hand rubbed appearance. Many of the stoneware glazes are mixed with 50% hardwood ash, which gives the pottery a very mottled and textured surface.

Large green-grey oval

Large grey oval

Shallow oval

Deep glazed round

Glazed oval

Glazed oval

Glazed round pot

Small green oval

Sara’s catalog also includes containers for accent plants.

Round accent pot

Round accent pot

Learn more about Sara’s work and view the many photos on her website.

Tonight, Friday November 18th – Making Exposed-Root Black Pine Bonsai at Kusamura Monthly Meeting

I’ll be doing a program on creating exposed root pine bonsai at Kusamura Bonsai Club’s monthly meeting tonight in Palo Alto, California. The program starts at 8:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at St Mark’s Episcopal Church at 600 Colorado Ave. in Palo Alto. Learn more about Kusamura Bonsai Club and get directions to the meeting here.