How to Make a Wire Stone Chip Tree
Wire stone chip trees can be decorative accents for an occasional table, a counter space or a patio. Make a wire stone chip tree to stand on a rock or wooden base with any color wire that suits your décor. Stone chips are available at rock stores, but stone chip beads will also work for this project. Look for stone chip beads in a variety of types, sizes and colors at craft stores and online bead suppliers.
Things You'll Need
- Quartz rock base
- 22-gauge craft wire
- Measuring tape
- Wire cutters
- Stone chip beads
Instructions
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1
Select a quartz rock with a flat bottom as the base for the wire stone chip tree. A block of wood will also work, but a natural stone is more in line with the concept of the project. Rock stores offer quartz and other stones in a variety of shapes and sizes, or locate one in nature. Remove any dirt and debris from naturally selected stones. The base stone should be 4 to 6 inches long by 3 to 4 inches wide for a tree that stands 10 to 15 inches tall.
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2
Measure the circumference of the length of the base stone. Measure the circumference of the width of the base stone. Cut two lengths of 22-gauge craft wire equal to the desired height of the wire tree, plus the circumference of the length of the base stone. These are the A wires. Cut two lengths of 22-gauge craft wire equal to the desired height of the tree, plus the circumference of the width of the base stone. These are the B wires.
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3
Hold one A wire 1 inch from one end in the center of the back of the base stone. Wrap the wire over the length edge of the base stone to the center of the top of the stone. Repeat this process with the remaining A wire, but wrap the wire around the opposite end of the length of the stone. Twist the two A wires together twice in the top center of the base stone. Twist the two A wires together on the back of the stone for the full 1-inch length of excess wire. Bend the twisted wire at a 90-degree angle to rest against the base of the stone. Repeat this step with the B wires, wrapping them around the width of the stone. The wire roots of the tree are now attached securely to the base stone.
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4
Twist the A and B wires together to form the length of the tree trunk. Hold the root wires and the stone securely as you twist. The tree trunk should be at least 4 to 8 inches long, depending on the overall height of the wire tree.
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5
Separate the individual A and B wires from the end of the tree trunk to the ends of the wires. Bend them in different directions to form branches of the tree.
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6
Measure the length of each of the four wire branches. Cut four lengths of 22-gauge craft wire equal to the branch length.
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7
Thread a stone chip bead to the end of one cut wire strip. Bend the end of the wire around the stone chip so that it meets the wire at the base of the stone chip. Twist the wire together to hold the chip securely. The stone chip should be at the end of the cut wire strand. Repeat this step for the remaining three cut wires.
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8
Place the stone chip on one wire at the end of an A wire branch. Twist the A wire and the new wire together to the tree trunk. Repeat this step to attach the remaining three wires to the remaining A and the two B wire branches extending from the tree trunk.
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9
Cut a length of wire twice as long as the overall height of the tree, plus 10 inches. Bend the wire in the center to form a U. Thread the U wire over the base of the tree at the top of the stone. The U will be perpendicular to the tree. Twist the U wire together to connect it to the tree trunk. Bend the two sides of the U wire at a 90 degree angle alongside the tree trunk. Twist the U wire around the tree trunk wires for the length of the tree trunk. Separate the U wires to form two additional branches for the tree. Repeat this step to make a many additional branches as you like.
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10
Measure and cut a length of wire to fit each new branch of the wire tree. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 to add stone chip beads to the tips of each new branch.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit stack of stones image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
