Thank you for your insight! Really appreciate it! I figured the wiring would cause permanent scarring. I noticed in some sections of the branches and trunk that had begun to grow around the wire when I was looking at it at the nursery. But I can deal with the scarring as this is my first "full grown" bonsai. I have some other ones that I am more passionate about (wisteria, red maple, blue spruce, cherry blossom, and another small juniper all only about 1-2 years old). I went into buying this one knowing that the wiring should have been taken off but I bought it because I absolutely loved the style of the tree. Ill be taking the wiring off tomorrow as that will be the first day this week I can sit down and properly work with the tree.
UPDATE: After I posted the original message, I went back outside to look at it more closely and I did find a few Juniper berries attached to some of the branches and a few that are about to bloom/sprout. I'm thinking that's a good sign as to whether or not it is healthy. I'm assuming it looks bare just because, like you suggested in your response, its the winter. Ill keep you updated when the spring comes around and let you know if it becomes more vivid and brightly colored.
Thanks again!