How to Weave a Money Tree

Money trees make thoughtful, whimsical gifts.

Money trees gift the recipient with wishes for prosperity, good fortune and health. Although traditional money trees are actually Japanese jade trees with glossy leaves, some don't have the time or inclination to care for a houseplant. Instead of giving a living money tree, try a symbolic offering. Wire money trees represent the same wishes for good fortune as the living variety, but without the work. Plus, you can make the trees yourself for an extra personal touch.

Things You'll Need

• 24-gauge copper craft wire
• Wire nips
• Shallow, rectangular planter
• Self-hardening clay
• Green paint
• Chinese coin beads (brass coins with square holes in the center)

Instructions

1. Nip up to 15 lengths of wire about two-and-a-half-times longer than the final height of the tree. To make a tree 6 inches tall, cut the wires about 15 inches long. Copper works best, because it simulates shiny tree bark, but you may use any color you like.

2. Gather the wires together, and bend them in half. Turn the wires so the fold points to the floor. Insert about three fingers in the wire fold, and twist it four or five times to create the tree's trunk. The trunk should be about one-third of the total height of the tree, or 2 inches in this case.

3. Separate the loops at the bottom of the trunk to represent roots. Twist the roots together in groups of three or four for two or three turns. Separate them again into groups of two for several turns. Finally, twist the single wires for several turns, making sure you have a 1/2-inch loop left on the end of each root.

4. Separate the wires at the top of the trunk into groups of four or five, and twist them together as you did the roots. Because you have more wires at the top of the tree, the groups forming the branches must be slightly larger. The ends of the branches won't have loops, either.

5. Press the tree into a shallow, rectangular planter. Smooth a quarter-size ball of self-hardening clay over each root loop. Fill in the rest of the planter with clay, covering the last fourth of each tree root. Add texture to the clay for a grassy effect, or smooth it out for a mossier look. Let the clay dry overnight, and then paint it green. Let the paint dry for two hours.

6. Slip Chinese coin beads onto the tips of the branch wires. Fold each wire around the coin bead to hold it in place. Add enough beads to make your tree look full and lush, but not so many that the branches droop.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a true money tree by twisting paper bills in the center to create bow ties. Wrap the center of each bow tie with the end of a tree branch.

• Vary the money tree by adding moss agate and amethyst chips to the branches as well.

References

• Armorama: Making Trees With Wire
• Toy Collector: April Token Build: Wire Trees
• Model Makers Resource: Making Model Trees