sales – Expressions of Grace Bonsai

Using Your Bonsai App 3

Xavier Martinez — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:12:22 +0000

How do I enter a new bonsai pot or other accessories? In this lesson, I take you through the process of populating the Accessories Page. I also demonstrate the method of using filters to find an item. Inputting costs and dealing with a ‘Save Changes Message’ is also covered.

Topics Covered:

Welcome back to the Bonsai Database.
How to add a new bonsai pot.
A look at Action Costs.
Adding a Mudman figurine.
Other methods for adding accessories.
Dealing with a ‘Save changes’ message.
The Accessory Screen.
Using search filters.

God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier

Using Your Bonsai App 2

Xavier Martinez — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:42:48 +0000

To make the Bonsai Database work efficiently you have to be diligent with the Action Log entries. In this lesson, I demonstrate how to input new activities and how to link them to review dates. I also show you how to adjust your screen view and give you some tips about the type of entries you should be making when you first get a tree. Finally, I explain about multiple pictures and the importance of chronology.

Topics Covered in this Lesson:

A look at the Action Log page.
My first activity log entry.
How to alter the screen view to suit.
Using Review dates for our activity entries.
Deleting a line entry.
Loading and organising multiple pictures.

God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier

Using Your Bonsai App 1

Xavier Martinez — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:19:35 +0000

These ‘step by step’ tutorials will guide you through the process of using your Microsoft Access Bonsai App. In Lesson One I will introduce you to the program, help you to set up a folder structure and take you through the steps required to add your first tree.

If you have not asked for a copy, but wish to know more, please contact me.

Topics Covered in this Video:

Welcome to your Bonsai Database.
A look at the ‘New Tree’ screen.
Setting up some folders on your PC.
Get your Measurements, Photos and Details first.
Adding photographs.
Completing the Tree data fields.
How the Action Log will look.

God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing
Xavier

A Christmas Bonsai Carol and a look at plans for 2023.

Xavier Martinez — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 16:36:19 +0000

Where did 2022 go this year?

I have barely touched the website despite numerous promises to do so. There are unfinished pages and countless other issues and there is still no shop. Does that mean I have stopped working – NO, of course not. My bonsai and pre-bonsai stocks have grown considerably to just over 750 specimens and I am now committed to full-time hours in the backyard nursery. So what did change?

My YouTube Channel

I will blame all my failings on YouTube. Yep – I finally succumbed and am now regularly creating content on my channel. I think I have just over 130 videos and shorts and am now reaching the 1000 subscribers level. I am pretty staggered by this support and can only thank all those who have encouraged me to keep going.

I HAVE FINALLY FORCED MYSELF TO TAKE A MINIMUM OF TWO WEEKS REST FROM THIS…

So that means I can try to rectify some of the failings of my website. Firstly, I have to confirm that I do not have plans, in the short term, to open an E-shop. I still regularly sell bonsai from my garden and through Ebay (occasionally). I am also open to prviate sales through Paypal but must stress that this is generally for subscribers to my channel. I am not set up to ship internationally.

Due to my unexpected growing success on YouTube I will be prioritising this for 2023 and the first big change will be allowing advertising as part of Google Adsense. This is part of my longer term objective to turn bonsai into my full time profession. This means you will now also start to see ads placed on the website.

I am currently working through my video backlog and updating all the English ‘closed captions’. This allows me to then translate it into other languages. Clearly this takes time but will hopefully reap some benefits in the future. Please let me know in the comments if there is a language you would like included.

Website updates

I will be concentrating on updating and improving the Species section. This will include linking a lot of my newly created instructional videos to the specific tree type.

I will be adding a Workflow Calander that will allow you to see dates that I carry out different types of work on different bonsai.

Projects will also be updated and will also link to videos fo the work carried out.

I am also reviewing the services that I could carry out. Tree sitting is still going to be available for those of you close to me. I am also looking at providing 1:1 help with bonsai development. I am not a professional so i’ve yet to decide on how best this could be safely managed.

And finally...

Please let me know if there are any ideas you have that may make this site more useful to you. I love bonsai and sometimes it is easy to forget that things I find ‘great’ may not appeal so much to others. Thank you all so much for supporting me and I look forward to better things in 2023.

God Bless and Happy Bonsaiing,

Xav

A day at the Market in rainy Grantham

Xavier Martinez — Sun, 07 May 2017 07:40:20 +0000

So yesterday was a great success at Grantham Market and lots of people showed real interest (or were just being polite) and even purchased some trees. I did have a sleepless night worrying that a few unhappy customers may be regretting their choice but only time will tell. (Or they will!!)

A big thank you to the market manager Gary who gave me a great pitch and an even bigger thanks to all those people who stopped to chat and encourage me. Roll on May 20th for my next day at Grantham market.

Apologies to anybody who has just read my Facebook entry…it does look a little bit ‘cut and paste’. Because it is!!

I’m still trying to manage content and do all the necessary edits and improvements whilst still keeping my ever demanding trees happy – they do hate it when I ignore them for the day.

Some of the mature Larches understand that I have administrative work to manage but trying to keep the thirsty young maples in order is really trying :).

I will continue to upload galleries this week and will try to look at other shop options…my previous attempt failed with Woo Commerce because I don’t have the ‘pro’ version of this theme. Not a big issue for me as I really want all my sales to be ‘cash on collection’ and via visits to my nursery.

God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing

Xavier

A visit to Savin Nursery for more Bonsai Stock

Xavier Martinez — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 09:42:19 +0000

Just had to let you know I visited my favorite bonsai / nursery wholesaler yesterday and got a massive surprise. Last week they finally took delivery of their ‘China’ container packed full of top quality bonsai. It really was worth the 160 mile round journey. If you want to grab a bargain or replenish your garden then this is the place to visit. Fantastic customer service and competitive prices. This is a ‘must see’ location – especially if you are into bonsai. Just hit the image and be taken to their website.

Trident Maple

As for myself…well I couldn’t resist adding some much wanted Trident Maples to my ‘soon to open’ market stall. These will sit beautifully alongside some of my ‘home reared’ stock. All trees are available to purchase via the stall or home visit. I can arrange delivery in some circumstances – though this will be by private arrangement. Just email and see what we can sort to suit you. Find me at Grantham Market, Lincoln on Sat 6th May or hit the ‘contact me’ button to visit my backyard store. I will be available for visits most days and times.

My bonsai collection contains numerous imported trees purchased from Savin Nurseries, which is located in Stondon, SG16 6LP, Bedford. I have visited most years since 2016 and generally come away very happy. The staff are fantastic and the prices are truly ‘trade’. In this episode, you can enjoy a windy ride through the back roads as I chat about the ‘latest’ issues they are experiencing with trade and imports of new bonsai material.

I will give you a tour of the extensive nursery and highlight their well-stocked Japanese Maple section. We will of course have a look at the bonsai in stock and take you through some of the buying decisions I make. Although the bonsai stock is down by nearly 60% there is still a lot to be had…

Happy Bonsaiing, Xav

Good Morning and welcome from Expressions of Grace Bonsai

Xavier Martinez — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:39:29 +0000

So it’s finally happened and years of idle boasts have become reality…bit scary really! Being no different from most of you I too have a passion which has quietly ruled my life. I too have dreamed of ‘giving up the day job’. Well as of today – I guess it has started to happen… I will apologise now for my lazy English and the awkward web pages but like all new ventures the enthusiasm to start often outweighs the need for care and patience Over the next week I will expand the site to show you exactly who and what Expressions of Grace ‘aim to be’. So hopefully, it will become a fun ride for the few of you that take a look. I am not a traditional bonsai site….and I am not looking to turn this into an ‘e-commerce’ venture. I want this to be a ‘real time’ insight (good and bad) into the real world of growing bonsai – from the ‘untrained’ aspect. Yes, I have read books and scoured You Tube for all the best advice. Don’t we all?? You will see projects from the start and hopefully follow them through to a successful end as they join their budding seedlings into the Bonsai ‘Hall of Fame’. Those not good enough will also star as you watch them disappear rapidly into the ‘Bonfire of Shame’. Either eventuality will be documented on the Expressions Gallery and blog pages. It may become a roller coaster of emotions as our ‘much loved’ trees fail to make the grade and find themselves on the recycle pile but just a few may make it to the ‘Top’. Just a few may even spark interest and even find a new home… So if you are strong enough please join me and become a part of the adventure! God Bless & Happy Bonsaiing Xav