Gem a tree

© IzzyGumbo 2010

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

http://perfectlytwistedjewelry.blogspot.com/ 1
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PerfectlyTwisted
IzzyGumbo@comcast.net

© IzzyGumbo 2010

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:


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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…


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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’.


© IzzyGumbo 2010

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

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