Two Tricks with Bonsai Wire & 3 Day Wire Special

Japanese white pine from our 2017 Bonsai Calendar (sorry, sold out). This tree has no doubt been repeatedly wired over years of development. In addition to sharing a couple useful tricks with bonsai wire, this post is to let you know that we have just begun a 3 day Bonsai Wire Sale. 20% off all of our wire (Bonsai Aesthetics wire, Yoshiaki wire, U.S. manufactured Copper wire). When you combine it with our extra 10% off orders 100.00 or more and Free Shipping on Continental U.S. orders 49.00 or more (but only if you select Free Shipping when you check … Continue reading Two Tricks with Bonsai Wire & 3 Day Wire Special

Shohin Bonsai… (Copper Wire Sale EndsTonight)

Judging by the leaves and fruit, I’d guess that this might be a dwarf Kumquat of some sort. Whatever it is, I know it’s small because of the proportions and because it’s part of Shohin display. Beyond that, I can’t read the Japanese script, so there’s nothing definite to say about the artist or the type trees shown here. The Shohin bonsai in this post may not be the most sophisticated or otherwise fantastic that we’ve featured over the years (we have over 200 posts in our archives where Shohin is at least mentioned), but there’s something uncontrived and basic … Continue reading Shohin Bonsai… (Copper Wire Sale EndsTonight)

Bonsai Book & Wire Sales End Tonight

Norway spruce (Picea abies) by Francois Jeker. From the first volume of Bonsai Aesthetics. Now 25% off at Stone Lantern. Three great sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT 25% Bonsai books and other books 25% off 500 gram Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 20% off annealed Copper Bonsai Wire plus FREE Shipping on U.S. orders 50.00 or more 25% off 500 gram rolls of Bonsai Aesthetics Wire 20% off U.S. manufactured Copper Bonsai Wire these sales end tonight at 11:59pm EDT And just in case you are wondering; yes, we do offer a whole range of Japanese garden books and some … Continue reading Bonsai Book & Wire Sales End Tonight

Types & Uses of Bonsai Wire & Why Blogging About Bonsai Is a Total Disaster

Like most bonsai, this one has been wired. In fact, there’s visible wire on it right now. It’s a Shimpaku that’s from a chapter in our Masters’ Series Juniper book, titled Keiko Tamaki’s Deft Touch. Because this post is an attempt to dig into a bonsai topic in some depth (and because it might be viewed as an extended advertisement for our bonsai wire), I’d like borrow a disclaimer (slightly paraphrased) from our friend Michael Hagedorn: “There are plenty of exceptions to everything I’m about to say, which naturally makes blogging about bonsai a total disaster.” Most bonsai are wired … Continue reading Types & Uses of Bonsai Wire & Why Blogging About Bonsai Is a Total Disaster

A Simple Bonsai Wiring Lesson

Flying home today from the SF part of my Portland trip (Artisans Cup) and time is compressed, so I’ll borrow a little something from Mary Miller’s Bonsai Banter: “I was searching for Collin Lewis’ website. While browsing, I discovered Colin on Craftsy.com giving a video lesson. The ‘Bonsai Wiring Essentials’ is listed as free. I watched the entire program.” “Colin is a talented author and speaker, as well as bonsai artist. His easy going, clear instructions will answer all of your questions about wiring your bonsai. Best wire and tools? Copper or aluminum and the difference? How long to leave … Continue reading A Simple Bonsai Wiring Lesson

Copper Wire & Bonsai Books

This luscious Satsuki azalea is one of a multitude of remarkable bonsai photos from the very aptly named, Fine Bonsai, Art and Nature. This post, which happens to be a near perfect way to roll out a new book sale, is borrowed from February of this year. There’s a theme to this large gallery and a method to our madness. Most of the photos are from bonsai books that we sell and all our books are currently 25% off (plus and additional 10% orders 100.00 or more). Gardening books are also 25% off. You can find this somewhat unruly … Continue reading Copper Wire & Bonsai Books

Bonsai Wire, Your Choice: Copper or Aluminum? Japanese or Chinese?

Like most bonsai, this one has been wired. In fact, there’s visible wire on it right now. It’s a Shimpaku that’s from a chapter in our Masters’ Series Juniper book, titled Keiko Tamaki’s Deft Touch. It’s time to reach back into our archives once again (from May, 2013). This time our motives are almost purely commercial. We’ve just put up a big Bonsai Wire Sale (20% to 30% off all wire) and that’s something you should know about. BTW: I think this post is worth re-posting even without our commercial motives; you might find the information useful, and I’m sure … Continue reading Bonsai Wire, Your Choice: Copper or Aluminum? Japanese or Chinese?

Sticking with Our Cedar Theme

Jim Gremel had a Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica – one of the handful of true Cedars) that looked a lot like this one at the 2012 U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. Winging to Boston and then driving back to the ice palace today (from sunny SF), so let’s indulge in one more foray into the archives. We’ll stick with out Cedar theme while we’re at it. This one was titled Real Cedar Bonsai & A Good Neighbor (June, 2012). Deer Meadow Bonsai & the 3rd U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition Some of the trees that were offered for sale at the … Continue reading Sticking with Our Cedar Theme

Bonsai Wire Sale Ends Tonight

Don’t let yourself run out of Bonsai Wire. It’s a great feeling to have exactly the right wire at hand when you need it. 20% to 50% off All of our Bonsai Wire is now 20% to 50% off of our already low prices. But don’t wait. The sale ends tonight (Sunday January 5th) at midnight (U.S. EST). Chose from a whole range of roll sizes, diameters and types of Bonsai Wire. All now 20% to 50% off. 30% off all of our Okatsune Tools and all other Garden Tools Meanwhile, our Okatsune and Garden Tool Sale is rolling … Continue reading Bonsai Wire Sale Ends Tonight

Wire: What’s the Difference?

Like most bonsai, this one has been wired. In fact, there’s visible wire on it right now. It’s a Shimpaku that’s from a chapter in our Masters’ Series Juniper book, titled Keiko Tamaki’s Deft Touch. Most bonsai are wired at some stage in their development. In fact, bonsai that have been around for a long time may have been wired repeatedly over the years. There are very good reasons for this, not the least of which is, it is often very difficult to get decent results without wire. There’s much more that be can said about this but we’ll leave … Continue reading Wire: What’s the Difference?