Wire Wrapped Christmas Tree Ornament Tutorial
For this tutorial I drew a tree and then just basically followed the pattern with the wire. This is the tree I drew. It's on a 4" x 6" index card, for your reference.Materials and Tools:
- 18 gauge wire
- 20 gauge wire
- Transparent Red Glass Crow Beads from Happy Mango Beads
- Transparent Green Glass Crow Beads from Happy Mango Beads
- Transparent Cobalt Blue Glass Crow Beads from Happy Mango Beads
- Chain nose pliers (or you may find long needle nose pliers to be easier to use for this)
- Round nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Optional: Nylon or rawhide hammer and steel block
If you get a strand of each color of the crow beads I listed above, you'll have plenty to make this and the Wire Wrapped Wreath Ornament as well, with plenty leftover to make more!You can use the colors I have listed, or choose any colors of your choice of the Crow Beads.Step #1
Working from the spool of 18 gauge wire -- meaning, don't cut the wire off the spool or coil start to follow your drawing of the tree. Leave about 2 inches extra wire above the tree.Step #2
At the first corner, place your chain nose or needle nose pliers and then bend the wire. You may find it easier to grasp the wire where the bend will go and then pick up the wire and pliers to make the actual bend.Step #3
Go to the next point and repeat.Step #4
Continue until you have the tree completed. Leave about 2" of extra wire on the other side, too.Fix up the shape however you would like.Step #5
Hold the tree where the wires cross with your fingers or you can use chain nose pliers and twist twice.Step #6
Hold one of the wires in round nose pliers.Step #7
Wrap the wire around one barrel of the pliers. Then straighten the loop so it's centered over the tree.Step #8
Hold the loop in chain nose pliers. Wrap the wire around in the same direction you started. Then wrap the other wire around. Keep your wraps tight and even.Cut off any excess wire.Step #9
Make sure the tree is still in the shape you want it and make any adjustments.You can probably get away with not doing this step since you're using 18 gauge wire. To make it even harder and stronger use a nylon or rawhide hammer and lightly hammer the tree.Step #10
Cut a piece of 20 gauge wire and wrap it around the bottom corner of the tree. Do a couple of wraps and make sure it's secure.Step #11
Add crow beads to the wire. You can randomly do this, use just one color or create a design. (I did mine randomly.)Step #12
Wrap the other end around just like you did on the first end. Cut off any excess wire.Step #13
Just above that row, start another row and repeat.Step #14
Repeat until you complete the tree.Step #15
I used some of the raffia that the crow beads come strung on as a hanger.
Creativity Tips for More Customization:
- Use all one color of crow beads.
- Make stripes.
- Use every other color.
- Bead around the edge of the tree (note, you'll probably have to bead as you do the bends in the tree.
- Create your own hook using wire.
- Make the beaded wires diagonal instead of straight across.
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