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Showing posts from 2025

A Few Words on Non-Native Dreamcatcher Making and Selling

  I've been getting asked if I'm still making dreamcatchers and if I sell them. Truth is, yes, I do still make them from time to time—but just for myself or as a gift, never for sale. Why? Because selling dreamcatchers doesn’t sit right with me. I purchased this authentic Navajo dreamcatcher from a western shop during one of my travels to the Grand Canyon Dreamcatchers are sacred items rooted in Native American culture, specifically from the Ojibwe people. They carry deep spiritual meaning, and turning that into a product for profit—especially when you're not part of that culture. It takes something meaningful and reduces it to dΓ©cor. That’s not fair. We’ve already taken so much from Indigenous communities. The least we can do is respect their traditions and not profit off them. When I travel and see dreamcatchers, I always look for ones made by Native artists. Supporting them directly is the right thing to do. So no, you won’t see dreamcatchers in my shop—but you will...

Clearance Sale

I have a clearance sale going on right now for specific 3inch trees! I will keep the sale open until I sell them all. Otherwise, I will remove them along the way to make room for more. Check out my store for all of the details and more photos of these little gems. They are 3" round. All of my trees are made with 20g aluminum wire and metal hoops. I wrap the hoops with yarn, floss, jute or sometimes wire.  I just completed three trees. They will be going up in the shop in a few days. Keep your eyes out for them. 

The Grapevine Struggle is Real

Working with grapevine wreaths is definitely not for the impatient! These twisty little guys love to tangle and test my patience, especially when I'm trying to wrangle wire through their wild branches. Sometimes I swear they're fighting me on purpose. But—deep breath—the end result always makes it worth it. The rustic look that comes out of all that effort makes me very happy. l'm currently playing with 6-inch wreaths, perfect for small spaces or gifting. I stick with brown wire and earthy-toned beads to keep everything feeling natural and cozy, like something you'd find on a woodland cottage door. These wreaths take a bit more time (and maybe a few muttered words behind the scenes), so they run a couple bucks more. But I promise, each one is crafted with love, patience, and a few deep sighs. Check out the photo to see what I mean. These little beauties really do shine when finished! This one is called Coutry Charm Sunstone Tree . Cureently, I have 1 more in the stor...

Blue Pearl Tree -A Fresh Take on Faux Pearls

I have uploaded a few trees to the store. This is todays highlight! Blue Pearl Tree I’ve been wanting to revisit my faux pearl beads for a while now. I had a previous tree adorned with them listed on the site, but honestly—it just wasn’t quite right. So, I made the decision to take it down and start fresh. Looking back, I’m actually relieved it didn’t sell, because this new version feels so much more “me.” This little beauty features a 3-inch hoop wrapped in soft light blue acrylic yarn. I chose the color specifically to complement the pearl beads—and it really makes them pop! I also added some light blue ombrΓ© beads to tie everything together and give the piece a dreamy, peaceful feel. It’s a sweet, compact tree that’s perfect for small spaces. Think cozy reading nooks, wall charm collections, or even hanging from a rearview mirror to bring a touch of calm to your daily drive. To see more information on this tree or check out all of my trees click here    I am going to tr...

Behind the Scenes: What Happens After a Tree is Born

If you're wondering what is involved in the final process of my products, here is a summary of what happens next. Once a tree is finished, the real work begins! First up is a little photo "shoot" — capturing the details and vibe of the piece. I want the images to really show off its personality. Next, I jump into listing it on my GoImagine storefront. This part takes time and lots of coffee! Starting from scratch means writing a title, adding a detailed description, uploading photos, setting a price, and choosing shipping options. I also tag it so it’s easy to find and include helpful info like return and shipping policies, plus a little backstory on how it was made and what materials I used. Once that’s all in place, I save the listing as a draft. That gives me time to step away and come back with fresh eyes for edits. Meanwhile, I inspect the piece closely, wrap it up with care, and tuck in a few little extras for the future owner. It’s then stored safely, waiting fo...

The Magic Behind the Tree of Life

Hey beautiful souls! If you’ve ever browsed my shop, you’ve probably noticed I’m a little obsessed with the Tree of Life. There’s something about its shape, strength, and spirit that just speaks to me. Today, I want to share why this symbol shows up in my work again and again, and what it truly means to me. The Tree of Life is more than just a pretty shape—it's an ancient, cross-cultural symbol that represents connection. From its roots deep in the earth to its branches reaching for the sky, it reminds us we’re all part of something bigger. It shows up in Celtic myths, Norse legends, and even in modern spiritual practices. It represents growth, balance, and connection. Why do I create these trees? For me, each tree is a mini meditation. Every twist and bead is intentional. I use earthy glass beads, natural tones, and grapevine wreaths (in some projects) to keep things rooted (literally!) in nature. Each tree is unique and sometimes a little wild. This is because I allow my creat...

Practice Pieces

These are some pieces that I created while practicing and building my skills. Practice makes perfect? We shall see. I love twisting and weaving wire. It is relaxing and almost meditative for me. For those of you that make wire trees, how did you start? What was your drive to create with wire? Where are you in your experience and what do you do with your finished pieces? Please share in the comment section. Green with Owl charm This is my first try with color wire. I purchased green for making saguaro cactus. I haven’t attempted that yet! YIKES! I created webbing and wanted to put something in the middle but I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Color wire is hard to work with as I noticed if I scrape it, the color comes off! Maybe I should try a different brand of color wire?   Brown This was a practice tree. I kept it very plain just to get used to shaping the wire. I was going to add an owl charm but decided it was good the way it is. Indian Agate I made this one la...

Embracing the Journey: A Look Inside My Creative Proces

As a creator, I pour my heart and soul into crafting jewelry, wire trees, sun catchers, and unique gifts. Yet, when you visit my shop, you’ll notice only a handful of items listed—why is that? It’s simple: I’m thinking about the future of my business. I don’t rush into creating pieces just to fill my shop. For me, crafting is an intentional process, one that requires focus and the right mindset. Each item is handmade, which naturally takes time. Add to this my full-time job, and it’s clear why I sometimes have fewer pieces available. When I first ventured into e-commerce, I launched my own website and reopened my Etsy shop. While this expansion was exciting, it quickly became overwhelming. Running multiple platforms was more than I could handle, so I scaled back. Now, I’ve decided to focus solely on Goimagine while (slowly leaving Etsy) for selling and use my website as a space to showcase my work. Simplifying in this way has made a world of difference. Creativity runs in my family. My...

Working with Colors-Practice Trees

E xperimenting with Colorful Wire: Creative Trials and Lessons Learned When I picked up a spool of green wire, my vision was clear: create saguaro cacti. While I’m still figuring out how to bring that idea to life, I decided to experiment and try a few alternative designs. These photos capture the results of that creative playtime. The Yin-Yang Tree One of my favorite discoveries was the harmonious combination of green and silver wire. The entwined colors reminded me of a yin-yang symbol, so I decided to wrap a hoop with half green and half silver wire. While the concept worked beautifully, the execution presented challenges. Attaching the tree to the already-wrapped hoop resulted in bulky wraps, making the design look a bit sloppy. In hindsight, I think it might have been better to wrap the hoop after securing the tree for a smoother finish. Adding a Moon and Mixing Materials I experimented with pairing a moon design alongside the tree, which sparked another idea: the moon might look ...

Look at This Tree!

I recently made a 5” wire tree with amethyst chips, but let’s just say... it didn’t turn out quite as planned. I got a little carried away on one side, making it look uneven. Normally, I’d adjust it, but I wasn’t happy with how the tree attached to the yarn-wrapped hoop anyway. The yarn colors clashed with the amethyst, and now the whole thing has been banished to my box of bad ideas. I always have a clear vision of how I want my trees to look, but if I lose focus, things tend to go off the rails, and I end up with something totally different. Sometimes, that’s frustrating—but maybe that’s not always a bad thing? On another note, I’m still figuring out how to create a 3D wire saguaro cactus. Every time I go for a walk, I study the saguaros, trying to translate their shape into wire. Sure, wire cacti already exist, but they’re usually just simple outlines. I want to create a full, three-dimensional saguaro—something that really captures its essence. It’s a challenge, but I’m determined ...

Welcome to Beneath The Oak Designs and my first post!

Hey there, I’m Jacki — the hands, heart, and hiking boots behind Beneath the Oak Designs . I’ve called Arizona home for 14 years, where I spend most of my time either crafting wire trees or getting lost (on purpose) in the wild places that feed my soul. I’m a solo traveler, quiet nature wanderer, and proud spider mom (yes, jumping spiders are adorable—don’t fight me on this). This blog is my little corner of the internet to share the laid-back, solitary lifestyle I’ve been carving out—one trail, one tree, and one quiet moment at a time. Here you’ll find:  πŸ“šStories from the road (and trail) πŸ„ Behind-the-scenes peeks at my wire trees and bracelets ✨Product drops & sales πŸ™Œ How-tos and DIY inspiration πŸ’– A little soul, a little nature magic, and a whole lot of heart Whether you're a fellow creative, a daydreaming traveler, or someone who just loves the idea of slow, intentional living—I'm so glad you're here. Let’s wander a bit, shall we?  πŸ₯Ύ