"Roots" . . .

I tested a different method of cutting and wrapping to create more "roots" at the base of the tree.  It's a bit trickier to start, and wrapping at the bottom, than the other way but it definitely does create a different look.  

 I've only made a couple so far and I cant decide if I like it or not.  LOL  It has a messier but more natural appearance.  I'm torn with my OCD desire to have them all lined up nicely and the artistic desire for the more free-form flowing feel of nature.

I did list them in the Etsy shop, I guess I'll just have to wait and see if they sell.  I think I'll try a couple more and see if I can get a wider and wilder section of "roots".

Introducing the new "Keepsake" tree. . .

I started the wire tree sculptures purely as art, they were just cool and pretty and decorative.   My Mom had the brilliant idea of the "family" tree when she asked me to make something for my cousin and his wife to celebrate their second child, so I got beads in birth stone colors and found all kinds of ways to symbolize things, like two trees becoming one.   I love the 'family" trees I've had several people custom order them, the problem is they have to be custom order because there is no way I can guess birth stone combinations and number of kids, etc.  ~LOL~  

Now I am introducing the new "Keepsake" tree, it's meant to be a memento, a decorative piece of art with special meaning for those in the know.  The Keepsake tree features a small glass vial for one to put their special reminder in, be it sand from your honeymoon beach, gold dust you panned on the family vacation, a lock of hair, anything you want that you can fit inside seal it with a drop of glue and it will last a very long time.  

                                                        This Keepsake Tree of life listing

I have literally just started making these and while I have several sizes styles of vials and do plan to make many as of right now there are only 2 in the Etsy shop.  I made a third yesterday but it's not posted yet.  I really love this idea I hope they sell.  

Spring is coming. . .

I am so over the "Valentine's" thing.  I've made entirely too many rosettes, earrings, bracelets, and even one particularly gorgeous necklace.  

I had fun with it, I came up with new designs and new chain pattern combinations.  I really like how most of them turned out.  I had one failure of an idea, it seemed to work ok going together but when finished it just would lay right.  :-/  

So now I'm thinking spring and I'm going back to making wire tree sculptures.  I am envisioning pink, and light green and blooming flowers, pastel spring-type happy things.  

Valentiness Rosettes

Give Her roses that will never fade or die. . . 
Diamonds may be forever but chainmaille is a close second.  😄

Ok, it's a bit cheesy but I kind of like it, plus all the new listings are Valentine's themed rosette patterns, 2 new bracelet patterns plus matching earrings.  I am pretty happy with the new items and even happier with the listing photos, these may be some of the best chainmaille photos I have ever managed.  

it definately matters. . .

There is a raging debate on Etsy over whether the number of listings matters to a shop so say it does some say it makes no difference.  However, I can attest that in my shop it made a huge difference in the amount of views a day stat.  I have been steadily building this little shop for over a year bit by bit views crawled up very slowly.  

Thanks to a couple of custom orders over the summer there were sales and fresh reviews which gave a bit of a search bump.  I started doing promoted listings and tried the google ads even but it didn't make too much of a difference until I made it over 100 listings.  

When I had more than 100 listings I had views and favorites everyday often double digits of both.  With the most recent sales I am back below 100 with only 98 listings and the last 2 days I've had 5 views total for the 2 days.  :-(   Yeah huge difference.  

So my goal for the day is to photograph and list the 5 trees I have finished and get back over 100 listings and hope my stats go back up.

 

up and down. . .

Well I'm up to 21 sales but that means I'm down to 98 listings.  LOL  So that whole break 100 listings aiming for 110 is not looking so easy, I hit 105 before dropping back.  It's all the wire trees too.  My shops list of "Sold out" listings is almost entirely wire trees which looks funny but the chainmaille listings have multiple quantities so they just renew.  :-/  However, even when I'm really trying I can't manage to make 2 trees look exactly alike.  

I donated this one to my husband's office gift exchange and made someone very happy.  Now I have custom orders to make for those that didn't get lucky in the gift drawing.  LOL  

Lucky for me I have 5 new trees finished and ready to add to the store, well after I photograph them anyway.  ;-)  

 
 

adding and subtracting . . .

I have been making a new tree almost every day, I added more new ones and a few more sold.  I have one I haven't added to the shop yet and I'm going to make more because they keep selling.  Add a few listings get a sale, add more listings.  I'm hovering around the 101 listings mark, I made it to 105 but then back down to 101.  

I am happy to have the sales, I just wish the chainmaille sold as well.