tree charms

Using e-waste or any other crafting material and bendable wire you can make your own talisman-esque creation used to mark a place, event or time; colloquially known as tree charms.

I had this idea in my senior year of high school, while most of my friends were spray painting rude slogans all over the building I quietly hung a few reminders in the trees around the building, marking my graduation in my own way. This project is a reinterpretation of that concept.

Maybe your tree charm will signify where your lost pet is buried, that spot on the hill where you used to play as a kid or, like me, your tree charm can signify where you buried your time capsule. This project can be made with just about any type of craft or building material and uses pliable, thin floral ties to hold it all together and can take any shape you desire. Though, I find the best designs are ones you can recognize.

Enough talk, let's charm some trees!

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Step 1: Tools + materials

The materials used for this project was old e-waste from past projects, I have bins of this kind of stuff just waiting to be used for something.

E-waste is a good choice as the pieces are small, have loads of depth and texture, and have sharp edges and openings making the wire able to better grip the individual parts.
I used stiff floral wire found at my local Dollar Store, each wire was about 30cm (12") long.

Tools:

• wire cutters
• needle-nose pliers
• hobby knife
• drill with small bit

Comments

[LauraLauraLynn]

That is so interesting, I am going to make a couple some time.

[flyingpuppy]

Charming! Looks like a giant futuristic cicada.

[ilpug]

I like this. put in some solar lights from those yard solar lights, and they will light up. Just remember that wrapping trees will kill the branch if it grows a lot.

[doo da do]

You could add some LEDs and put them on your porch for Halloween, or in the yard as guides to you porch if the yard is nice and dark.

[Windosia]

I think this idea is great, and a lot of fun. One thing to keep in mind though, it that if you tie, or strap something to a tree branch, after a couple years, it will kill that branch. Using a nail or a screw to secure the art will ensure the health of the tree if the art is to stay there long-term.

[mikeasaurus]

I suppose it really depends on how tight you tie your wire and the size of the branch. Because the wire is so stiff there is less 'binding' on the tree and more 'securing the wire to itself'. I do not believe there is any danger of killing the branch.

[Ninzerbean]

Love it! Them!

[ChrysN]

What a great idea, that is really cool. I love the butterfly.

[sunshiine]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing!

[Kiteman]

You could also anchor these by throwing a weighted line into (and through) the tree, pulling the charm up and tying the line off where you can reach it.