How to Make Decorative Copper Wire Trees

If you want to add a personal touch to your home or office, why not create a copper wire tree? Copper wire is easy to work with, durable, inexpensive and fun to make. You will be able to express your creativity and capture the imagination of others through your wire sculpture.

Things You'll Need

• Copper Wire
• Needle-nosed pliers (optional)
• Wood or plastic base
• Glue Gun
• Glue sticks
• Cotton balls (optional)
• Glitter (optional)

Instructions

1. Purchase copper wire from a crafting store or online. Copper wire is sold on spools. Purchase extra wire so you have enough to complete this project.

2. Find a wood or plastic base on which to build a copper tree. Purchase wood that's specifically cut to the dimensions you request or use an old piece of wood you no longer need. Paint the base if necessary. Allow the paint to dry before building your tree.

3. Create a quick sketch of the tree to determine the correct height and number of branches. Construct the roots and tree trunk first. Twist copper wire together until you acheive the desired thickness. Use a glue gun and glue sticks to attach the roots and trunk to the base.

4. Add main branches by twisting shorter pieces of copper wire together and attaching them to the main trunk. Use needle-nosed pliers when attaching branches to the trunk so that they are set firmly in place. Branches should appear as random as possible to maximize a realistic aesthetic.

5. Add smaller branches to create a unique design. If you want to decorate the tree, glue cotton balls or sprinkle with glitter to add color and texture.

Tips & Warnings

• Sketching out the tree before constructing it allows you to achieve the correct proportions. Most trees are heavier on the bottom and thinner on top.

• Even though copper wire is pliable and easy to work with, it does have sharp edges.