Wire Tree Sculpture

by poi_pai

230K15746

Intro: Wire Tree Sculpture

This will show you how to make a beautiful work of art in less than an hour. Almost free to make, this is a great gift idea, or make one for your self.

STEP 1: What You Will Need

All of these Items are either really cheap, or FREE!!!

Wire (I used steel wire I found the other day, but any bare wire works)
Needlenose Pliers

Optional Items

Base to mount on (I used a rock)
Gloves (recommended on heavier guage wire)
Decorations (and adhesive of some kind if needed)

STEP 2: Cut the Wire

You want your wire to be at least 8 inches long, that way you have room to twist and bend later. I did it about 14 inches long, I wanted a larger tree.

STEP 3: Keep Cutting!

You will need quite a few pieces of wire. It's actualy a good thing if they are varying in length a little. Just eyeball it as you go, using a previous piece as a judge in length. You're not going for perfection here, I think that's part of why this is so fun.

STEP 4: Group and Start to Form

Well, I'm out of wire, so I guess I'm done... I got 21 pieces cut from that ball, not bad. For thicker wire, gloves gome in handy for this. grab the wire up in a bunch and literally twist the center a few times. You will get an uneven spiral. This will be the trunk of the tree.

STEP 5: Forming the Branches

after you have the tree twisted in the center. start splitting up the wires. it's easiest to split into 2 large branches but you can literally do it however you want to. Take your groupings of wire and twist them in a similar fashion to what you did for the trunk.

STEP 6: Keep Splitting and Twisting

Just like you did on the main branches, split up the wires and twist those groupings. As the groups get smaller, you will start to see a bare tree form emerge. Split and twist until You have single wire branches in the different directions. Bend your branches in different directions to fill out the desired shape.

STEP 7: Got the Top Half, Now What?

Now it's time to shape the roots. Not much to it, just apply the same method from the top to the bottom half. Flatten out your roots with your hands or your pliers. At this point, your tree is done. All that is left is a little customization.

STEP 8: Presentation

For this specific tree, I used a flat bottomed rock (I think it's granite) from the courtyard of my apartment. All I did was set the tree on the rock, took my pliers and bent the roots around it. I curled them on the bottom so the tree wouldnt scratch whatever furiture it ends up on. I've also used flower pots with sand, bonsai stands, it doesn't really matter. Pick something that you ant to use and go with it.

STEP 9: Finishing Touches

This tree still felt like it needed something else. I happened to Have a red piece of foil paper from a pack of cigarettes my friend left at my place, so I quickly folded an origami crane and glued it to a branch. You can decorate it however you like. Some Ideas are beads, buttons, soda tabs, even hang your jewelry on it. There you have it. A Metal sculptre that is all your own. Snazzy.

32 Comments

shelbabyrn 15 years ago

What is the best gauge wire to use and any suggestions on where to find colored craft wire?

dreherandrea19 1 year ago

Best color wire deals ,, look on Beebeecrafts for good wire deals. Use code APR8 for $8 off.

poi_pai 15 years ago

That'll work, like spray paint the finished piece?

poi_pai 15 years ago

I'd say jewelry supply stores, or craft shops, I've got a place called Hobby Lobby near me that sells a 22 gauge wire that works well for more intricate, the last wire I bought there in colors was forest green and blood orange red! Nifty stuff, but a little pricey.

andi456 14 years ago

My grandpa made one of these, but he polished amethyst and glued it to the branches as leaves. It is very cool.

poi_pai 14 years ago

That sounds gorgeous, I might have to try that, I have some citrine that would work.

SunshineGrl 13 years ago

Do u think itd look as fabulous in copper wire?

dreherandrea19 1 year ago

Yes,,copper looks great. Also they make other color coated copper wire.

poi_pai 13 years ago

Especially if the copper goes green over time, that'd be gorgeous!

godslillamb7 11 years ago

Hi. How many yards of copper wire do I need for one tree?

dreherandrea19 1 year ago

That really depends on the size of ur tree. I make various sizes, so a 30 yard spool of 26 gauge makes about 4 trees if using just that color.

soullight 15 years ago

I am new to this hoby and was wondering if any one knows where I can buy 1mm un-holed gem chips.

dreherandrea19 1 year ago

Check out a sight called Art beads.com. They have a big selection and sales, and bonuses, that are great.

PrabalS 8 years ago

http://www.amazon.in/Trees-Jute-Twines-Prabal-Sharma-ebook/dp/B01E5XTHBK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1460537867&sr=1-1&keywords=model+train+trees

godslillamb7 11 years ago

Hi. How many yards of copper wire do I need for one tree?

folklife 12 years ago

I used scrap copper stranded wire- removed the rubber covering, and started twisting like you said. I also soldered some sections to hold in place. Fab idea!
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