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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Book Marketing

I have this hard time selling myself or my book. I know the book is good, but how do I sell it without coming across as bragging? Today was my day to try to get more vendors selling my book. I had taken a book to Shipwreck Beads (very large bead shop) in Lacey, WA and left it for their book buyer to review a couple of weeks ago. I decided today was the day to follow up and call him to make sure he had received it. He had and ordered 6 books, now I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but it is a step in the door and that was what I was hoping for. I also took a book to The Bead Factory here in Tacoma for the owner to review and to make an appointment with her. I still have yet to hear back but I'm sure I will.

It has taken me awhile to feel comfortable enough to get out and do some of this marketing in person, but I figure if I don't do it no one else will. I still have yet to make it up to Jerry's Rock Shop in Renton. I sent an e-mail, but if they are like me, ignore those messages, so an in person visit is in order.

The other marketing that I still need to do is to get postcards sent to all the local gem and mineral clubs. I try to do as many gem and mineral shows as possible during show season, but not all shows have the room for a demonstrator. I'm still waiting to see if I get into the Bellevue show at the end of this month.

If anyone has any other marketing ideas for my book, please let me know. I think I'm ready to give them a try.

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Wow, What's Happened?

The past couple of weeks have just been booming for gem trees, gem tree kits and books. I'm not sure what has happened, but I like it. We demonstrated at the Southern Washington Gem & Rock show in Castle Rock, WA last weekend. It was amazing. We sold 11 trees and 5 books on a two day show and we weren't even vendors. My husband did teach a young girl to make her own tree and then she turned around and spent her money to buy a tree for her mother. What a great hobby. We have reduced the price of our trees at these shows to allow for more sales since we are making them left and right. They just accumulate here at home, so I figure someone else can enjoy them in their home for awhile. I didn't push the book too much which is probably why I only sold 5, but combine that with the order I received this week for 12 books and it was a great week of book sales.

In other news, I have started my outline for the next book. I'm thinking it will be called "Gem Tree Sculptures II". Yes, not too original, but follows the first book and does let people know that there must be a book one. So far, I'm planning on including some instructions for accessories to add to your existing trees and some more advanced features for larger trees. I do have plans for new tree designs like my palm tree and a couple of new willow type trees. I may even have a chapter on how to design your own tree. What I haven't decided yet is if I will add any more gemstone lore or healing gemstone information. Still thinking about that one as making a gem tree is very therapeutic.

I'm still working on a special vendor order of 10 small gem trees. I'm almost complete and just need to get them mounted on a rock base before mailing. This is a vendor that will be a the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in February. If you have never been to this show it is huge with gem, mineral, bead and rock shows at every venue in Tucson. We went last year and only made it to a few of the shows, before we were tired of looking at rocks and gems.

If some of you are wondering where I get my supplies for my gem trees, I go to a local bead shop in Lacey, WA called Shipwreck Beads. They also have an online store. This is one of the largest bead shops you will ever go into. Simply amazing with all the various beads and supplies. I did take my book along with a vendor order sheet and leave it with their book buyer so hopefully I'll get some book orders from them. If you want to check out their web site, here is the address: http://www.shipwreckbeads.com/. Here one of the new trees I'm working on that includes freshwater pearls and glass leaves.

Enjoy and have a great day.

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Tree of Life Artist - Kee's Juicy Gems

I found another gem tree artist on 1000 Markets. Her name is Alicia and she makes wonderful tree pendants. Yes, trees can be made into pendants and do not have to sit on a table. Very unique pendants if I say so myself. These would be perfect made with birthstone gems as a gift and I'm sure she will make any special order that you wish if you don't find the right color choice in her shop. Here is a little bit more about Alicia.

My name is Alicia, I am a marine wife and mom to a awsome little girl and a little boy. I have been making jewelry since I was six. It started as friendship braclets then evolved to hemp and wire wrapping. I have never stopped evolving and growing in my talents. I have never taken a class on jewelry I just create what is in my head or what I see around me. My favorite at the moment is the crystal hearts I have in my store. The are so beautiful the pictures could never capture how amazing they are. Every time I wear one I get tons of compliments. I just opened another shop on 1000 Markets with my line of hair bows, keesbabylove.1000markets.com. I can not wait to evolve more create beautiful jewelry for people. I love custom orders so dont be shy. If you like what you see but see it in a different color no problem I will find you that color and make your piece. Thanks for stopping by Alicia

Check out Kee's Juicy Gems on 1000 Markets.

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Featured Artist - Apryl Mott

I talk about my gem trees, competing, the book and tutorials, but I never talk about the other amazing gem tree artists. Here is one of my fellow gem tree artisans who has a shop on ArtFire. She creates small trees that remind me of a fantasy.

Apryl lives outside of New Orleans and was trained in gem tree sculpture by her grandmother and wire wrapped jewelry by her grandfather who traveled to various craft shows all over the U.S.

Take a look at her shop here and let her know how amazing her creations are.

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