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Cost
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• • • • •
Time
1h30

A detailed tutorial.
This tutorial will show you, in detail, how to create the wire-wrapped Tree of Life Ornament shown in the image above. My goal with these instructions is to be very thorough, yet easy to understand. Let's get started!

Posted by Lisa H. from Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States • Published See Lisa H.'s 16 projects »
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  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 1
    Step 1

    First, gather all of the supplies you'll need for the project. You'll want to get the following items:
    *6mm beads and smaller, including seed beads (see next image)
    *A 4-inch metal ring
    *Two (2) pairs of needle nose pliers
    *A pair of wire cutting pliers
    *Twelve (12) 12-inch strands of 24-gauge wire

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 2
    Step 2

    This photo shows the variety of beads used for this particular ornament, including the following:
    4mm pearls, 4mm glass rectangle beads, 2 sizes of seed beads, 4mm crystals, 6mm & 4mm faceted glass rounds, and 6mm shaped glass beads.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 3
    Step 3

    Take one strand of the wire and thread it through the wire ring, making sure the 2 sides are even. Wrap each side around the ring twice for a total of four coils. Make sure they are pulled tight around the ring. See image.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 4
    Step 4

    Repeat step 2 with the remaining 11 wires. Pull all wires to one side of the ring and verify the coils are nice and tight and close together.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 5
    Step 5

    Start on one side of the wires and begin braiding the first 3 strands. You'll want to create a braid that is approximately 1-inch. Once braided, flip up and move on to the next 3 strands. Continue this process until all wires have been braided. You should end up with 8 braids.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 6
    Step 6

    Gather the braids as shown in this photo and begin to twist them together.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 7
    Step 7

    Twist up a little ways until you're ready to separate your first branch. Take 2-4 strands, depending on how thick you want this branch to be, and separate it from the group of wires.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 8
    Step 8

    Repeat Step 6 until you have the beginnings of a tree with many branches and all of your wires have been used. Personally, I like to split my tree in two at some point and then separate the branches again.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 9
    Step 9

    Now twist these branches, just like you did the big group of wires, but don't twist them to the ring...yet. You'll want to also start breaking your larger branches into smaller ones. See the picture for ideas on how to break down branches. This is when you'll need to twist the branches to within about 1/4"-1/2" from the ring.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 10
    Step 10

    Separate the individual wires and make sure they are some-what distributed evenly around the ring. NOTE: If you've twisted the wires too far, do not un-twist them! They will probably break later on! Instead put bends in the branches; this use more wire and pull them towards the center of the ring. (see the final image to see how I did this.)

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 11
    Step 11

    Add a bead or beads to the first wire next to the roots. Wrap the wire around the ring once (see image).

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 12
    Step 12

    Add another bead to this wire. Wrap again and add another bead. This is to cover the ring from view and make it appear to just be beads. Finish this branch by wrapping it around the ring 3 times, clip off the excess, and pinch tight with pliers.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 13
    Step 13

    Repeat Step 11 for the remaining wires on this branch. Push the finished section tight against the roots. This will make room for the rest of your branches.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 14
    Step 14

    Repeat steps 11 and 12 on the other side of the roots. Continue repeating these two steps, changing sides after each branch.

  • How to make a wire wrapped pendant. Wire Wrapped Tree Of Life Ornament - Step 15
    Step 15

    Continue this process for the rest of your branches and remember to push them tight against the roots. The last couple branches will be the most difficult because you'll be running out of room on your ring, but this is good because you'll have a nice full tree.

  • Step 16

    OPTIONS:
    1. Pendant Size Tree: If you need to make a smaller Tree of Life for a pendant or even a tiny one for earrings, you'll simply want to use a smaller ring and also decrease the number of wires used. Just remember, you'll always want to have a multiple of three (3, 6, 9...) because you'll be braiding the roots of the tree.
    2. Adding charms: If you'd like to add charms to your tree, just add them while your twisting the branches or before you add beads to the branch, depending on where you want the charm to hang.
    3. Fuller Trees: If you prefer the fuller looking trees, don't twist the branches as close to the edge as I did here. You're beads will then thread closer to the center of the tree and it will appear fuller. The style in this tutorial is just a personal preference of appearance.

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Comments

Lisa D.
Lisa D. · Saint Johnsbury, Vermont, US · 1 project
Ruler we are making ours w/bangle bracelets, thank you SO much for the detailed instructions, esp w/braiding & wire strength, that helps so much! While my stuff, too (to Karen S) looks weird, it is a GOOD thing to keep my SELF & fingers busy!~ now, If I could see straight........... Geek again Thank you!
Reply
Brigit
Brigit · Baltimore, Maryland, US · 2 projects
i see these everywhere and im so glad there's a tutorial. Happy
Reply
Karen S.
Karen S. · Orlando, Florida, US · 1 project
I love this tutorial. I have tried so many and my stuff alway slooks weird. This time it looks quite nice. THANK YOU!!Love
Reply
Teresa D.
Teresa D. · College Station, Texas, US
I made one to look like a Christmas tree. My wife said it was beautiful and our daughter loved it. Thanks for the tutorial.
Reply
Katherine P.
Katherine P. · Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA · 2 projects
I love tree of life pendants. I really like this one with beads.
Reply
cherylmjacob
cherylmjacob · Moodbidri, Karnataka, IN · 5 projects
I'm gonna do this nextHappy
Reply
cynthia b.
cynthia b. · Watertown, Wisconsin, US
where did you get the 4" metal ring from?
Reply
☆Mr.California sodapop★
☆Mr.California sodapop★ · Salinas, California, US · 4 projects
its soo steam punk I LOVE IT !!!!!
Reply
Twiggypeasticks
Twiggypeasticks · Huddersfield, England, GB · 17 projects
Totally gorgeous !!
Reply
elizabeth.wertheimer
elizabeth.wertheimer · Monzambano, Lombardia, IT · 1 project
IT'S SO NICE!!!
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