Gem a tree

© IzzyGumbo 2010

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WWW.PERFECTLYTWISTED.ETSY.COM http://perfectlytwistedjewelry.blogspot.com/ Please do not distribute, lend or copy. Do not mass produce. Please always give credit to the Teacher. © IzzyGumbo 2010

In this lesson, you will learn how to create a

very versatile wrap around a tear drop

cabochon.

Materials:

• 16 gauge soft copper and /or silver wire,

round, craft store

• Glass bobbles, large favorite glass beads,

craft store mosaic tile pieces, etc…

Tools: Wire cutters

Jewelry round nose pliers

Small jewelry file

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Step1:

From the copper spool, cut the following:

2 pieces, 12 inches long



1 piece, 9 inches long.

Step 2:

Trim the ends so that they are clean

and flat. Use the file to remove

sharp ends.

Put all wire together, even at one

end. Use the 9 inch wire to secure

the bundle.

Begin the first wrap leaving 5 inches

at the bottom of the wire bundle.

Holding the bundle together, start

the first wrap with the 9 inch wire

leaving 2 inches on the short end.

Step 3:

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Step 4:

Make three to four tight wraps moving ‘up’ the

wire bundle, using the long end.

Step 5:

Begin to move each wrap half an inch apart as you

continue to wrap up the trunk of the tree.

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Step 6:

Make the trunk approximately three inches high.

Step 7:

Finish the upper and lower wrap using the flat nose

pliers to secure the ends. Use the wire cutters to

trim off any extra wire that you do not want

protruding.

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Step 8:

Spread out the bottom wires so that they bend

straight out at the bottom of the wire bundle.

Step 9:

This creates the base of the tree and is surprisingly

stable.

Step 10:

Using the round nose pliers, take a hold of the tree

and one of the base wires.

Create a loose spiral loop at the end and curl it

inward toward the trunk of the tree.

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Step 11:

Make three or four turns until you reach the center

of the wire. Create a shapr right angle bend.

Step 12:

Repeat this with all remaining wires at the base of

the tree. The spirals can either go all the same

direction if it is easier for you, or you can alternate

them for design. Create one spiral counter

clockwise and another, clockwise, alternating their

direction around the tree base.

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Step 13:

The tree is designed to look ‘whimsy’ so don’t

worry to much about being exactly perfect with

the spirals.

Don’t worry about the wires becoming

‘misplaced’ during this process. You can and

will, reposition them in the next steps.

Step 14:

Once all the base spirals are made, use your

hands to reposition them around the tree base to

ensure that it stands upright. Spread them out

evenly around the tree.

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Step 15:

Create a slight downward bend at the center of

each base wire. Push each up slightly, again

making sure that they are spread somewhat

evely around the center trunk.

Step 16:

This bend in each ‘tree root’ helps the wires to

stay in position around the tree.

Bend each spiral slightly down to touch the

table.

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Step 17:

Once done with the base of the tree, take the

upper wires and spread them out and apart

from each other.

Step 18:

SAFTY… when working with these wires,

make sure to be mindful of where your

eyeballs are at all times, in relation to the ends

of the wires…

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Step 19:

Take a piece of your decorative glass and one

of the shortest wires. Hold onto the base of the

tree, the wire and the glass bobble firmly in

one hand. Using the other free hand, wrap the

wire securely around the glass. Create four to

five tight wraps to ensure that the glass bobble

or bead does not ‘fall out’ of the wire.

Step 20:

Using the round nose pliers and the remaining

two inches of the wire end, create a loose,

small spiral. Bring the spiral up near the glass,

leaving a small edge off of the glass. This is

where the earrings will hand from.

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Step 21:

Because the wires are different lengths, be

mindful of which one you are using. Longer

wires can hold more then one piece of

decorative glass or glass bead.

Continue to wrap glass into each wire

remembering to leave a spiral end as the

‘hanger’.

Be whimsical adding random twists and bends

into the loose wire as you go. Keep in mind

that the tree is designed to hang earrings from,

so as you wrap, think to leave ‘room’ along the

wires, in between each bead or glass bobble. I

like to make random spirals as they work best

for adding strength AND as places to put my

earrings.

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Step 22:

Another way to wrap the glass onto the wire is

to begin at the outside end. Using the round

nose pliers, create a small spiral for hanging

earrings.

Take your glass bobble and hold it along the

wire. Then simply turn the glass into the wire,

making tight secure wraps, moving inward

toward the trunk.

Stop about 2 inches from the center and create

soft bends in the ‘branch’.

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Step 23:

The following are larger images for visual help

and ideas.

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Step 24:

Once all branches are done, use your hands and

eyes to gently bend and position each branch

so that it’s cute ☺ and enjoy! These are great

fun, easy to make and a fun place to hand your

earrings!

DESIGN IDEAS:

Create a forest of trees, different heights only

means making the wires in the bundle longer

or shorter. Add more for a ‘bigger, fuller’ tree.

Use combinations of large glass beads (HINT!

Remember the whole must be large enough to

fit the larger wire), use glass bobbles, use craft

store mosaic tiles… anything that strikes your

fancy!

Use smaller wires and ‘wire on’ smaller gemy

beads, or bead leaves… the ideas are endless.

Enjoy them!

Feedback and comments are always welcome.

☺

Gem a tree

Documents

round nose

small spiral

glass bobble

shopperfectlytwistedizzygumbocomcast

decorative

wire bundle

tree base

bend