Crystal Trees - a very simple design

This is one of my favorite concepts found on the web. This again, is a very popular concept that I have emailed to me on a regular basis. One thing I love about this piece, is that it gives you a lot of options in regards to your branches. The vase will probably be your most expensive investment. To accomplish this look in regards to our branches, you can pretty much get away with ordering ANY of our sale items, whether you want the premium's, standards, or supplementals. For this look I would recommend using 2 premiums from our sale premium 4 pack, and then throwing in some supplementals. The important thing about this piece is that you will need to really get those branches mounted in tightly. So using more is better, for the sake of keeping that top nice and sturdy. The second thing is making sure your votives are not too heavy. You may have to go with plastic vs. glass and use battery powered tea lights. This will really cut down on the weight, and be much more safe.

Crystal Tree Ideas

I really need to be out working on orders... but I will get to it in a moment... Here is one of the most popular concepts that I have emailed to me. How to replicate it? Well you definitely need an extra large premium manzanita branch. You can settle with a "mini" version by purchasing a premium sale 4 pack, but if you want to accomplish the table presence this centerpiece has, you will need something very very large. Keep in mind in the photo, how small the table is. Chances are you will be using a 60" round at your wedding, instead of this accent table used in the photo, so the 3' trees are a great choice, but again, if you want something as dramatic as this, the larger, fuller branch is the way to go. Making a special request is always good, and letting me know you want the "tree" like branches, with a long trunk for potting.

In the works - by customers

So we have been really really really swamped this year. Our last two quarters saw a 300% rise in sales. Celebrities are using manzanita for their weddings, and it seems 2010 is just one lucky year for weddings... period. So I haven't had a moment to create any new designs. Therefore, I am just going to have to update my blog for the time being with ideas created by customers, and photos that customers send me of concepts they would like to replicate. This particular piece is in the works by one of my customers, and represents one of the ideas she is working on.

Jewelry Hang/Centerpiece

I've had a lot of jewelers and jewelry sellers purchase my branches to display their own beautiful works of art. The most popular, is always my Black branches, with Red blossoms. I think the contrast, and dramatic intrigue is what draws everyone to this special combination. This branch has a gloss finish and is mounted in pine, and of course has plenty of spots to hang some gorgeous jewelry. This piece is also being donated to the Peace Love Swap raffle in Rocklin, CA on Jan. 23rd.

Hanging Votive Candle Holder

Everytime I see a branch with a curve, I imagine it to be a hanging votive candle holder, as you saw in my "Zen" piece. Well... I figured I ought to try gold and have it match my new Greg Olson painting. The manzanita branch is handpainted gold and mounted in a very heavy prized hardwood - Black Walnut. Black Walnut is very expensive and hard to come by, but luckily my dad has a lot of it milled up and donated some slabs to my cause. I made my own hanging votives and picked out these Amber candle holders at my local craft store. This piece is being donated to a raffle for the Peace Love Swap in Rocklin this Sat. Jan. 23rd.

ZEN ART

I originally wanted to do a Japanese sand garden at the base, but I changed my mind and decided to do red rocks at the base. I'll do a Japanese sand garden at a different time. This is another example of what you can do with branches that lean to one side. These type of branches usually need a lot of trimming.

HALLOWEEN

I'm always inspired by Tim Burton, and I wanted to do a tree that looked kind of like a spooky hand. So I used two supplementals that had a nice arc to them and I trimmed off most of the small branches. I secured them with cable ties, then painted them a glossy black. I then used one of my favorite bases to use, a manzanita burl and secured the branches to the burl by drilling a 1" hole and securing the branches in the hole with wood glue, then filled in the gaps with wood filler. Then I found these cute little wooden round balls at a yard sale, and painted them orange. I used a stencil to draw on the pumpkin faces and little bats and painted them black. All in all I thought it turned out cute. I may head out to "Hot Topic" and grab some "Nightmare before Christmas" garb and decorate my branch with those.