Bonsai at the Bay

[Asus101]

they kinda look like they come out of Keh's place....

[MelaQuin]

I'd like to see some pruning so we could see the trunk of the howitii. Foliage wise it inspires one to want to see the trunk.

Your trees look quite good with nice shapes and very healthy. My only comment would be to look at the height of some of your plants. I think grandeur is getting away from balance and some trees are looking taaaalll rather than stately. You've done them well... but I would like to see a couple of the high fliers a bit more ground based. Just a thought. Try the white rag on a few and see what you think when you block out the top third or quarter. It is the 'less is more' principle and look at it as a way of 'reducing' your collection.

I will see if I can drum up the battalion for a trip south to see first hand. Nice to know about you.

[masekeane]

Thanks for the advice, love to see you soon.

[masekeane]

Gidday all, at the risk of sounding like a advertising push I was hoping a few avid bonsai people could check out a new site that I have put together. I am going live on the web in a fortnight but I would greatly appreciate some feedback on the site prior to launch. I still am working on wording and format so any feedback wiould be great. I am thick skinned so go for it. Please be aware it is only a demo site so sales and etc you can not access.
Thank you in advance, I will take on board all suggestions before launch in a fortnight.http://demo7.itb.net.au Thank you. The actual site will be http://www.bonsaibay.com.au

[Scott Martin]

I like it. It's clean and easy to get around. Looks fresh too.

Might be worthwhile showing an overall photo of the nursery too just to show the wide range available. I reckon you need to show a range of trees in different stages. Some pre-bonsai, some beginner trees, some finished. That way you'll keep your potential customer range at it's maximum.

Also without seeing the checkout process you might want to consider some kind of track and trace functionality for customers once they process their order.

I'll be up in Jervis Bay at the start of September so I'll give you a call and come have a look.

[techpetal]

Hiya,

the site has nice colour schemes and general feel. Get your contact details on the "contact" page as most people hate filling in forms for you to get back to them. Many prefer to be able to call direct when it is convenient for them. Are you selling accessories and tools? Valuable additions if you are doing an online shopping site.

I will definately come down and have a look at your trees and stock. My family and I love coming down the coast and spend at least two weeks of our holidays a year down your way so I look forward to meeting you.

[masekeane]

Thank you both for the comments, these pointers are vital to work on before the site goes live. I really appreciate the time and effort to comment so I can hopefully provide another great bonsai service.

Thank you Mason

[masekeane]

Just a huge thank you for all of members of ausbonsai and a special thank you to Steve who looked and reviewed my new bonsai site. The feedback I recieved from you all has hopefully led me into having a very professional looking site as well as a site that bonsai enthusiasts will enjoy and revisit. It may sound sound like I am advertising but in the last six months I have made not a single sale from ausbonsai members but I have met 6 of you either at the Berry Markets or at the nursery, so in that alone meeting other fanatical people involved in bonsai is priceless. This site continues to amaze me with its good humour, member know how and Steve again thank you for providing a wonderful service. On a final note i am off to a wedding in washington dc next week and am very pumped and excited to experience the collection at the national arboreum. I will hopefully take some pictures if I am not to distracted looking at the detail of the trees. I can not wait to see the white pine from 1625.

Thank you all again

Chat soon Mase
http://www.bonsaibay.com.au

[Bretts]

Have a great trip Mase. I am glad you have had heaps of feedback on the site I think it is great.

[MasonC]

hey mase
i will be coming down to Ulladula this holidays and just thought i should warn you as i will be packing cash! Can't wait to get down
mason

[MasonC]

can't wait for those pics mase!

[MasonC]

will you be back in time mase?

[masekeane]

Gidday all just arrived back from Washington DC. I had a wonderful visit to the National Arboretum on a very quite day. I have uploaded a "you tube" video for all to see the great collection. I was lucky enough to go on a quiet day when all the bonsai were facing backwards. Most of the bonsai I have seen from the front in Magazines etc. Fantastic getting a different perspective of the bonsai. Yes I did rotate the bonsai to check them out from the front. I met the curator and assistant curator, both very accomadating and gave me a lot of time near the end of their days. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UHl6K_jSFE . Here is the link to the video, I hope you enjoy the backside of the collection.

[Elias]

Awesome vid Mase, and some wonderful trees there, very cool to have captured a side usually not seen by the public. Thanks for sharing

[masekeane]

Your welcome Elais. It was great chatting to to the curators as it was a quiet day for them. They were working on an imperial Japanese Black Pine from 1700's. They were in the midst of wiring and a little decision making about what to prune etc. I was having trouble fathoming the decisions that were needed for a 300 year old tree. Amazing does not sum it up.