Wire tree tutorial

[Lucy]

I finally took some pictures as I was making a tree out of brown paper and wire. I'll write a brief tutorial.

I generally post similar information (sometimes with more information) on my blog - https://paperglitterglue.com/spooky-tree-tutorial/ in case you want to look there.

1. All the supplies you need except for glue. First cut some wire in about 3-4 different lengths - a few long ones for the trunk - 6 or so, some medium ones for branches and smaller ones to use for branches and roots.

2. Tear strips of paper to wrap around the wire. Usually I make the paper shorter than the wire so the ends of the wire stick out. That way I know that wire extends all the way through the branch. Fatter strips make fatter branches or trunks. You can always add more later so they don't need to be very fat at this point.

3. Roll the paper around the wire. I don't usually need glue for these shorter branches, but I do use it on the longer branches.

[Lucy]

Next I twist the paper around the wire. The paper on the bases of the longer branches gets kind of fat so glue is necessary.

[Lucy]

Next, wrap 2 branches together to make one long forked branch. I try to offset the branches a little bit so they are different lengths.

Cover the wrapped portion of the branch with another strip of paper covered with glue to make them look like one lumpy branch.

[Lucy]

You can also make a 3 pronged branch by wrapping a smaller branch around the tip of a longer branch. Then wrap glue covered paper around the base. It makes that part of the branch fatter so if you want you can add more paper all along the limb to fill it out and make it the same diameter.

[Lucy]

I didn't take a photo of this step, but after making all the branches including the long ones that will form the trunk of the tree, wrap all of them together. They hold together pretty well and then wind a strip of paper with glue on it around the trunk just like you did when you made the forked branches. I use a wider piece of paper for the trunk and I try to remember to wrinkle it first so it has more texture. You can always add more strips to add texture and to make the trunk fatter.

Next is filling out the bottom of the trunk and the roots. You can make forked roots just like branches. I use smaller thinner branches for this part or you can wrap 2 roots together as you see in the photo.

Trim off the excess wire with your wire cutters.

If the tree does not stand up properly you can play around with bending the roots to make it stand straight or as crooked as you like.

That's it. If you have any questions, I will be glad to answer them.
Lucy

[Clinton]

Love it Lucy!

I'm gonna have to try this out.

[les]

Lucy, Thanks for the instructions. Just in time. Making a 1/12 fairy garden in a lantern and it needs a tree!! Perfect!!