Tree of Life

While taking a day off yesterday, I was sitting outside under the mulberry tree infront of the house, just staring into the distance, when my eye cought the avo tree. It has a natural shape like a bonsai and I thought it would be nice to have a small tree like that, (my bonsai's are all either akasia trees or what ever I can find that would not die after cutting the roots), so the thought of making a pendant with the tree as focal point, hit me.
After scratching though my stuff, it's really a mess all the time, I found some beads and craftwire and I decided to make a tutorial on how to make them. I looked on the internet for a long time before I found one, so hopefully this one will also help.

You will need the following materials:
thin craftwire
a 4cm diameter, memorywire ring
some 15/0 seed beads
wire cutters
pliers








how to make the tree

Cut 8 pieces for craftwire 30cm long and fold it in half.

Wrap a peace around the overlap of the memory wire about 3 times, can also wrap it 5 time, depending on how big you want the base to be.

Twist the wire to make a little 'root', about 3 times.

Twist two wires together also three times to make a bigger 'root'.

Twist all the wires together to make the trunk of the tree. You can make it as long as you want.

Fold the 'trunk' to the inside of the ring to see if it's as you want it to be.

Form the 'branches' of the tree by twisting some of the wires together. Here you can also use your imagination to form your tree. Also plan where you want the branches to go and if you are afraid you're going to forget, mark it lightly with a marker.

Start threading the beads, here also it depends on how long your branches and leaves will be, make sure that the beads fit snuggly between the main branch and the side of the circle. Anchor the wire by wrapping it around the memory wire twice. DO NOT CUTE THE WIRE!!!!

One half of the tree done. Continue until the whole tree is done.

All the branches and leaves done. You can still shape the tree further if you want to, by moving the wire where you want them to be.

Start wrapping the wire around the memory wire between the branches. I start in the middle and work to the sides. Wrap the wire past the following branch to anchor it better. You can cut the wire now, or leave it until your done. Just make sure that all the sharp points of wire are flatten snuggly to prevent it from scratching!!!

One side done!! Just remember to twist the wire also between the roots to anchor it better.

All the memory wire is covered, the wires cut off and flatten against the backside of pendant. All that is needed now is a jump/split ring to hang the pendant from!!!
Well done.
Below are a few samples of other pendants made from different beads and wires, copper looks beautiful in this kind of pendant.

A set of matching earrings for complement your pendant!!
Please post photo's of your creations!!
Have fun and enjoy!!!!