Experience Dusk in Autumn: Bittersweet Sparkles Golden - a poetic exploration of Ikebana's seasonal storytelling through both natural and crafted materials.
Join Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, floral master and educator, and
Quynh Nguyen, paper artist and author of The New Art of Paper Flowers,
as they collaborate to create a Moribana arrangement inspired by the soft fading light of autumn.
About the Workshop
This workshop invites participants to:
Learn how to combine paper and natural materials in harmony to evoke the spirit of the season.
Discover Ikebana principles of balance, line, and negative space.
Explore Quynh's techniques for crafting fall maple leaves, golden Bittersweet berries, and bronze-hued paper calla lilies, alongside Hitomi's artful use of real vines and natural materials to build organic movement and volume.
Reflect on the theme of impermanence and transition that defines autumn's beauty.
Guided by floral master Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, and acclaimed paper flower artist Quynh Nguyen, this immersive online workshop invites participants to discover the harmony between the real and the reimagined. Together, Hitomi and Quynh reveal how handcrafted paper botanicals and natural materials can coexist in a single, expressive composition that captures the quiet glow of late autumn, the moment when nature transitions from vibrant abundance to reflective stillness.
Through three live and interactive lessons, students will explore the shared principles of Ikebana and paper artistry, learn to craft sculptural autumn botanicals from crepe paper, and compose a Moribana-style arrangement that balances form, color, and line. Each lesson blends demonstration, discussion, and student engagement. The program culminates in a Student Review Session, where participants receive individualized feedback and guidance from both instructors on their completed paper flowers and Ikebana design.
In this poetic meeting of nature and craft, we will explore how paper and plant materials can converse, understanding the stillness of one while the other reveals its vitality. Together, they capture the moment between light and shadow that defines autumn's farewell.
Workshop Schedule
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The Art of Harmony: Ikebana and Paper in Conversation
Tuesday, November 18th
(120min Live Lecture)
Begin your journey with an exploration of harmony between the real and the reimagined.
In Lesson One, Hitomi and Quynh will introduce students to the shared language of Ikebana and Paper Flowers, two art forms rooted in observation, respect, and transformation. Through demonstration and dialogue, they’ll reveal how natural materials and crafted paper elements can coexist in a single composition, each enhancing the other’s beauty and meaning. Students will gain insight into the philosophies that guide both disciplines, learning how simplicity, balance, and rhythm connect the organic with the hand-made. With live interaction and thoughtful discussion, this opening session sets the foundation for a creative partnership between nature and artistry.
Focus Topics
• Core principles of Ikebana and Paper Flower artistry
• Finding harmony between natural and crafted materials
• Understanding line, form, and space as shared design language
• The meditative and expressive qualities of both mediums
• Establishing a creative mindset for the workshop journey -
The Poetry of Paper: Capturing Autumn’s Essence
Wednesday, November 19th
(90min Live Lecture)
In Lesson Two, Quynh will guide participants through the quiet, reflective process of transforming crepe paper into sculptural expressions of the season. Together, you’ll create paper maple leaves, golden bittersweet branches, and bronze-hued calla lilies - each formed through careful observation, delicate layering, and a deep sensitivity to nature’s rhythm and balance. Through her gentle, intentional approach, Quynh will show how subtle shifts in hue, curl, and posture bring each element to life, evoking the warmth of fading sunlight and the quiet beauty of impermanence. These handmade paper botanicals will later blend seamlessly with natural vines and foliage in Hitomi’s Ikebana-inspired composition, uniting craftsmanship and nature in one poetic gesture.
Focus Topics
• Sculpting seasonal botanicals from crepe paper
• Hand-tinting, curling, and layering techniques for lifelike effects
• Using color and texture to evoke mood and atmosphere
• Exploring balance, stillness, and the beauty of impermanence
• Integrating paper elements into natural compositions -
Harmony in Transition: An Autumn Ikebana Composition
Thursday, November 20th
(90min Live Lecture)
Experience the graceful meeting point between nature’s beauty and human artistry.
In Lesson Three, Hitomi will lead a live demonstration of a fall-themed Ikebana arrangement that integrates the paper botanicals created in Lesson Two: maple leaves, bittersweet berries, and bronze calla lilies. Joined by Quynh, who will create her own parallel design, the two will explore how line, color, and form come together to evoke the essence of late autumn. Through conversation and demonstration, they will reveal how natural and handmade elements can coexist in quiet harmony, expressing both vitality and stillness. This Moribana-style composition, arranged in a low pottery dish with a kenzan, embodies the season’s gentle transition from abundance to reflection and will serve as the second student assignment for the workshop.
Focus Topics
• Applying Ikebana principles to mixed-material compositions
• Integrating paper and natural botanicals in seasonal design
• Exploring line, balance, color, and form in Ikebana
• Creating emotional resonance through restraint and contrast
• Understanding the symbolism of autumn in floral expression -
Live Student Review with Hitomi & Quynh
Saturday, November 22nd
(Multiple Live Zoom Sessions)
Conclude your workshop journey with a personalized dialogue of growth and insight.
In the Student Review Sessions, participants will join Hitomi and Quynh on Zoom for individualized feedback and discussion.
Each student will have the opportunity to present their two completed assignments : their handcrafted paper botanicals and their final Ikebana-inspired design, and receive 1-on-1 feedback from both instructors.
Together, Hitomi and Quynh will reflect on each student’s creative process, offering perspective on composition, craftsmanship, and artistic intent. This session is designed to celebrate progress, deepen understanding, and provide meaningful direction for continued exploration beyond the workshop.
Choose your
Registration
We have Two Registration Options for you to join Hitomi and Quynh for Dusk in Autumn: Bittersweet Sparkles Golden.
With Workshop Only Registration, you’ll receive a detailed overview with all recommended supplies, sources, and preparation notes to help you get ready for class.
For those wishing to work directly with Quynh’s curated materials, you can also select the Workshop + Supplies Registration, which includes everything you’ll need to create the paper botanicals featured in Lesson Two. The kit contains premium European crepe papers, Tacky Glue, assorted floral wires, modeling clay, and printed templates, all carefully chosen to ensure the best results and *shipped directly to your door.
*Registration includes shipping costs within North America, Workshop + Supplies Registration Open will be open until 11/6, Supplies will be shipped by 11/7.
Workshop Only
$249 CAD
Virtual Course Only
Workshop + Supplies
$319 CAD
Virtual Course +
Paper Flower Supplies
Shipped to your Home
*This Registration Option will be open until
Nov. 6th, with Supplies being shipped by
Friday, Nov. 7th)
Registration Includes:
(3) 90min+ LIVE & INTERACTIVE LESSONS
with Hitomi & Quynh
(3) LIVE STUDENT REVIEW with Hitomi & Quynh for 1-on-1 feedback of your Student Assignments
(3) STUDENT CHALLENGES issued by Hitomi & Quynh at the end of each of Live Lesson
(2) STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS to be reviewed by Hitomi & Quynh in the Live Student Review
LIFETIME ACCESS to Full Recordings of all Workshop Lessons, as well as ALL program resources (Supply Lists, Tutorials, etc)
TECHNICAL SUPPORT - Enjoy complete technical support throughout the program, helping you through any problems that may arise.
FAQs
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Of course! All of our Workshop Lessons are Recorded in Full and available immediately afterwards for you to watch or re-watch at your convenience! As part of registration, you will also enjoy LIFETIME Access to all Lesson Recordings.
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Paper Flower Supplies are only included in the Workshop + Supplies Registration Option. If you choose the ‘Workshop Only’ Option, we will be releasing a Complete Paper Flower Supply List, as well as a recommended Container & Ikebana Supply List, which you will receive by email within (5) Days of Registration.
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There are (3) Ways to access Workshop Lessons & Content once registered.
You can Log-in to your account at HitomiGilliam.com and access all course content via your account page (top right-hand corner of the website after login)
Program Emails will be sent to the email that you use for registration, this will include links to Live Lessons + links to additional course content. If you register and are not receiving emails, please make sure to check your junk/spam email folder and mark info@hitomigilliam.com as safe.
We will be launching a Private Facebook Group the week of the workshop, we encourage all students to join and meet fellow students. Links to all program content will also be posted to the group throughout the workshop.