Things You'll Need
22 gauge copper wire
Wire nips
Small, shallow, rectangular planter
Plaster
Green paint
Green glass chip beads
Pink or lavender glass chip beads
Faux plants bring color and nature into your home without the hassle of caring for a real plant. Miniature trees, such as willows, add a touch of elegance to your décor and help tie rooms together by drawing the eye toward them.
Though faux plants can be expensive, you can make your own miniature willow tree at home. These little trees have a charming elegance and can sit anywhere in the house. Plus, you have the option of customizing the tree to your tastes.
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Step 1
Nip about 15 pieces of 22 gauge copper wire four times the desired height for your tree. For a tree about 8 inches tall, cut your wires 32 inches long. Gather all of the wires together, and fold them in half.
Step 2
Twist the wires together about three inches above the fold. End the twist about seven inches below the tips of the wires. You should have a bundle of wires with a large loop at the bottom and a broom brush of wires at the top.
Step 3
Separate and splay out the wire loops below the twist. Gather them together in groups of three and four, and twist them together for three or four turns. Divide the loops into groups of two and three, and twist them for three or four more turns. Divide them into groups of one or two, and twist them out to about one-half inch before the ends of the loops.
Step 4
Separate and twist the wires above the twisted trunk as you did the roots. Only twist these branch wires together for one or two turns before separating them again. When you have about 4 inches of wire left, bend these wires down so that they point toward the floor, hanging like weeping willow branches.
Step 5
Mix together about a cup of plaster powder with enough water to make a paste the consistency of thick cake frosting. Pour the mixture into your small planter. Let the plaster dry for about half the recommended time.
Step 6
Splay out your tree's roots by pushing on them with the palm of your hand. Press the roots down into the half-dry plaster, making sure to bury the loops at the ends. Let the plaster cure completely. Paint the plaster green.
Step 7
Slide green and lavender or pink glass bead chips on to the swinging branches. Use the pink or lavender chips sparsely; these are flowers, the green chips are leaves. Fill each branch with beans, and fold the end of each wire around the last bead on each branch to secure them.
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