New Tree Design

For some time I've been wanting to do a Cancer Awareness tree. My first little tree was done on an artist trading card, so you really can't count it, but this week was the week to get it completed. I have one more that isn't photographed yet that is for Breast Cancer Awareness and as you can guess it is mostly pink.

This one has pink and lavender ribbon with leaf, heart and hope charms. I have this one mounted on a dish but it would be easy to mount it on a rock or in a cup also. This tree is based upon the 2 Leaf Gem Tree style in my book with a couple of variations. There are some crystal sprays and some branches with just loops. The complete instructions will be written up soon and posted as a tutorial for sale along with the kit in my ArtFire Studio.  Here are a few more pictures of other trees in this same style.

Fun trees to make.

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Offer Ends April 1st

My March newsletter came out today and with it a special price for my Gem Tree Sculptures book. What's the deal? Instead of paying $17.99 you will only pay $10.00 for the book. Yes, that's right, but only for a limited time. How can you get this deal? Sign up for my newsletter, you can always unsubscribe later if you don't like it. Go to my web site and sign up (lower left hand corner), I'll get the notice and will send you a copy of the newsletter with the coupon code in it. Simple. Oh, and I also have gem tree supplies and kits on sale too.

Here is my web site info. http://danasjewelrydesign.com

Don't wait too long.

Cheers, Dana

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Special Price on Gem Tree Sculptures book

Finally made it back from vacation. I had 9 orders for small gem trees before I left, due 3/31 to be mailed and thought, I'll just take my tree making stuff with me since we are driving and in the evenings just whip them out. Yea, right. I made a few branches for one tree and then promptly put the stuff away and never got back to it so now you guessed it, I'll be making trees this week. Making the trees is usually no problem if I have free time, I just didn't have any on vacation. Humm, I guess that is what vacation is for.

So, this is a celebration post and one you can benefit from. I am teaching at the Puget Sound Bead Festival in July my first time at that bead show and have 4 spots left in my class, yea. I'm so glad it was well received. If you are interested in taking that class here is the link to that site - PSBF.

Also, I will be running a special on my book Gem Tree Sculptures on my ArtFire studio for those that sign up for my newsletter. Go to my web site to sign up - HERE. Bottom left. If you don't have my book and have been wanting to get it, it will be well worth your while to sign up to get the discount. Newsletter will be posted by next Monday the 22nd so hurry and sign up now as this will be a limited time offer.

I guess I better get busy making those trees now.

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New Use for Jewelry Tree - Easter Egg Tree

I was wandering around aimlessly in Michael's craft store the other day and found this great pink wire so I just had to buy it. I am a sucker for colored wire for these little trees. This style is the Jewelry Tree in my book and tutorial but in this instance I have made it into an Easter Egg Tree.

You can purchase the tutorial from my ArtFire studio (see Rapid Cart at the right). I'm already picturing a Halloween tree out of black wire....humm.

If you have already purchased my book or this tutorial and are wondering about the wire, I used 18 gauge colored copper. Very lightweight. It came 3 yards to a package so I had to buy 3 packages to have enough to make this large a tree.

Dana

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New Facebook Fan Page

For all you Facebook addicts, I have created a Fan page for my gem trees and the book. I will be promoting special things from time to time on FB, so now is your chance to get in on all the fun.

In other news, I have started on book #2. I'm only on the 3rd chapter, but that's pretty good right?

Those wanting to take a class, I have been asked to teach at the Puget Sound Bead Festival this coming July. I'll pass along more details as I get them, but here is the web site if you want to check out the dates, etc. They offer so many cool classes and have some wonderful vendors. A few years ago I purchase some great rubies at a killer price. You just couldn't beat it.

I know I've been absent for awhile, but will be getting back into the swing of it. I've made several trees for Gems of Elegance who will be at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. He purchased 10 in October of various gems and then in January ordered 6 small precious opal trees. He supplied the opal and I made the trees. They turned out really nice. This is one of my favorites of the bunch. Opal with faceted Blue Topaz.

If you are going to be in Tucson for the Gem & Mineral show check out Ed's booth (15E) and my trees and books that he will have for sale. Here is the link to the show site.

Another opportunity to learn is to attend my gem tree presentation and mini hands on at the Tenino Club Meeting this coming Wednesday night. Their meeting will be held at 7:00 pm at the Eagles Club on the Main street. I will also be doing a book signing for those interested in purchasing a book that night.

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How to make a gemstone tree - Video

Since I'm lazy and haven't figured out how to use my video camera to make everyone a video of making a gem tree, I went in search of one. Guess what there was one on YouTube. The technique is a little different than mine, but for a beginner this is a good start. If you already are making trees, this might give you a few more ideas on where to go next or what to change to make it easier.

I am building a new craft site and have posted the video there. The video was make by Camille Sharon. Check it out HERE.

I would love to have you join my new site, it's free and there are no rules like some other sites require for their members. If you have an Etsy, Ebay, Yahoo, Google, etc store then you can build a marketplace to showcase you shop. Just another way to market your handmade items. There is also a blog option and a variety of other apps.

I would love to hear from you.

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Can you really get something for FREE?

I have four tutorials that I put together from the instructions from my book. The purpose was to offer instructions to customers that didn't want to purchase the book due to the price of the book at $17.99 plus $5.00 shipping as the tutorials run from $3 - $4 each. I have  had some success with the tutorials, but have found the customers find it confusing and usually purchase both a tutorial and the book. So, with that in mind, everyone that purchases a book will get the .pdf tutorial of their choice for FREE. This way they can get started creating their masterpiece gem sculptures before the book arrives via slow snail mail. The tutorials will still be offered separately for those that just want one instruction.

I'm still selling books off my various web sites and find it amazing that someone would purchase something that they have no idea what it is...or maybe they do and have always wanted to make one. Either way, I'm grateful to all my customers and I hope that one day soon I'll start getting pictures from them of their finished trees. I would like to set up a photo gallery of my student trees. So, if you have made a tree using my instructions via the book or tutorial, please send me a picture or two. I would love to see them and I'm sure my readers would too.

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