Wire&Rock Jewelry Tree

In this instructable, I will show you how to make a jewelry tree! This is a project that I had the idea for quite some time ago and I'm proud that I was finally able to give it a try. I LOVE wearing earrings, and have felt for some time that they should be better displayed. Also, it's kinda fun to admire the tree each morning while I make my selection.

In this design, the roots of a wire tree are wrapped around a handful of rocks. Originally, I had hoped to collect rocks for the base. Alas these ones were purchased. If you choose to make something like this yourself I'd definitely recommend collecting rocks - it adds so much more meaning and memories to the tree.

For this instructable you will need:

3 yards of 26 gauge beading wire (gold)

25 ft of 16 gauge soft brass wire ( I used less than this)

rocks ( The ones that I used were polished and meant to be used in vases, I purchased them from the floral department at Safeway)

jewelry tools ( the two I used are pictured in a close-up)

scotch tape

Cut 7 pieces of the the 16 gauge wire. Each of these represents a branch of the tree. Each piece that I cut was approximately 2ft in length. Arrange the pieces so that they all overlap at a point, kind of like what the bottom of a basket looks like. Pinch this point and bend the loops of the wire upwards. Use the 26 gauge wire to tie all of the wires together at their intersection.

This step was by far the trickiest part of making this jewelry tree. I found that because the rocks are so small, I needed to create bunches of rocks and then enclose them in the cage. I tried using a hot glue gun but found that the glue didn't stick for long to the rocks. In the end, I actually taped the rocks together. Add pieces of the 26 gauge wire where there are gaps in the roots to reinforce the cage.

You can see from the pictures that I had some company while working on this :) The kitten loved the rocks and batted them around on the couch. I'll probably fine kicking around later....

Bend the wires up around the rocks. Take both ends of the same wire and wrap them together. You can see that I twisted them together, leaving a few inches at the top untwisted. Then, once you've done this for all of the wires, twist them all together to form the trunk of the tree.

I found that when I did this some of the rocks in the base became dislodged. I choose to finish the branches and then spend some time patching up the base at the end.

Use the rounded jewelry making tool to make the spiral designs at the tips of the branches. I have provided some close-up pictures about what this looks like.

Use the 26 gauge beading wire to add extra branches where you'd like.

Now you're reading to add your jewelry!

Enjoy :)