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Wire Wrapped Tree of Life Tutorial [STEP BY STEP]

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March 9, 2023 by Madelynn

I’m so excited to have finally finished this wire wrapped Tree of Life tutorial – perfect for any DIY wire jewelry making enthusiast!

In this post, I will show you how to make a tree of life pendant, step by step.

The tree of life is a symbol that has been used throughout history in many different cultures. It often represents the idea of rebirth or regeneration, as well as the interconnectedness of all life.

In some traditions, the tree of life is also seen as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.

This Tree of Life wire wrap tutorial is quite long with over 90 photos so I definitely recommend grabbing the printable version. You can print the tutorial at home and store in a binder for easy reference.

This wire wrap tutorial is best suited for the advanced beginner or intermediate wire-wrapping artist.

 

Prefer this wire wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of the Wire Wrapped Tree of Life Tutorial

 
How to wire wrap a tree of life pendant
 

WIRE WRAPPED TREE OF LIFE TUTORIAL

 

LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

MATERIALS + TOOLS

  • 18″ – 16 gauge copper wire (dead soft)
  • 16 strands (5″ each) of 24 gauge wire
  • 14″-16″ of 24 gauge (for bail)
  • Large cabochon (mine measures 1.5″ x 2″)
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Wire cutters
  • 6-Barrel Pliers
  • Heavy duty cutters
  • Anvil or bench block
  • Hammer
  • Liver of sulfur (optional)
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
Materials required for wire-wrapped Tree of Life tutorial
 
 

Step 1

First thing is to make the frame of the Tree of Life pendant.

Line up the mid-point of your 16 gauge wire and start forming the wire around the cabochon (fig. 1a, 1b).

Carefully wrap the wire around each side of stone until wires cross at the top (fig. 1c, 1d).

Once you release the frame, the wires will bounce back a bit, leaving a gap around the cabochon (fig. 1e).

The gap is IMPORTANT. It should be big enough to accommodate the 24 gauge wire that you will be wrapping around the frame on all sides.

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 1a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 1b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 1c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 1d
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 1e
 

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of the Tree of Life Wire Wrap Tutorial

 

Step 2

Once you’re happy with the size of the frame for your Tree of Life pendant, you can hammer it lightly – this helps the frame keep its shape (fig. 2a, 2b).

Once hammered, you can use a Sharpie to add marks where you will bend both bail wires in place (fig. 2c).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 2a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 2b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 2c
 

Step 3

Using a pair of needle nose pliers, grab one of the bail wires (on the Sharpie mark). Make a straight bend. (fig. 3a, 3b, 3c)

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 3a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 3b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 3c
 

Step 4

Repeat on other side and keep it as symmetrical as possible – this can take some practice (fig. 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 4a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 4b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 4c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 4d
 

Prefer this wire wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of the Wire Wrapped Tree of Life Tutorial

 

Step 5

Using your long piece of 24 gauge wire, make a couple wraps on one of the bail wires to anchor it (fig. 5a).

Start wrapping around both wires (fig. 5b).

From time to time, I use my finger nail to push wires together (fig. 5c).

Keep wrapping both bail wires until the wrap is approximately 1.25″- 1.5″ long (fig. 5d).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 5a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 5b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 5c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 5d
 

Step 6

Using wire cutters, trim excess wires and tuck ends in with needle nose pliers (fig. 6a, 6b, 6c).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 6a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 6b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 6c
 

Step 7

Using your needle nose pliers, carefully bend the bail forward slightly (fig. 7a).

Using barrel pliers, form your bail (fig. 7b, 7c).

Using needle nose pliers, make a bend in wire so it comes flush with the frame (fig. 7d, 7e, 7f).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 7a
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 7b
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 7c
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 7d
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 7e
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 7f
 

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of the Tree of Life Wire-Wrap Tutorial

 

Step 8

Using your fingers, bend the wires outward, as shown (fig. 8a, 8b).

Now bend both wires inward, keeping both as symmetrical as possible (fig. 8c).

Cut excess wire, leaving about 0.5″ from crossing point (fig. 8d, 8e).

 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 8a
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 8b
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 8c
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 8d
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 8e
 

Step 9

Using round nose pliers, form loops at the end of each wire (fig. 9a, 9b, 9c). This will complete the back of the pendant.

As you can see, this creates 4 connection points. This is where the branches and roots will attach the back to the frame (fig. 9d, 9e).

 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 9a
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 9b
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 9c
 
fig. 9d
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 9e
 

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of the Tree of Life Wire-Wrap Tutorial

 

Step 10

Gather your strands of 24 gauge wire. Find the mid-point and start twisting them together. This will start forming the trunk of the tree of life pendant (fig. 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d).

 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 10a
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 10b
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 10c
 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 10d
 

Step 11

Once you have a couple of twists done, place on your cabochon (fig.11a) .

This is just to give you an idea of how much room the trunk takes. Make sure you leave yourself enough room for your roots and your branches.

Spread out the branches and roots to give you a visual idea of your design. If your trunk is too long, untwist the trunk a little (fig. 11b, 11c).

 
Tree of Life tutorial
fig. 11a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 11b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 11c
 

Step 12

Once you are happy with your root and branch coverage, carefully move your branches upwards (fig. 12a).

Place a piece of masking tape over the top part of trunk and the branches. Wrap the tape around to secure the cabochon.

Make sure that you do not cover the bottom connection points.

These will be connected to the frame with the roots. Using your fingers, carefully spread out the roots (fig. 12b, 12c, 12d).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 12a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 12b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 12c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 12d
 

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of the Tree of Life Wire-Wrap Tutorial

 

Step 13

Now it’s time to start with securing your roots.

First we start with the connection point on the left of the Tree of Life pendant.

Using the last root on that side, feed the wire through the connection point and the frame.

Make 2 loops to make sure it is secure (fig. 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 13a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 13b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 13c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 13d
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 13e
 

Step 14

Attach a second root – this will make sure the connection point is well secured.

Make 2 loops (fig. 14a, 14b).

Repeat the process on the right side of the pendant – secure 2 roots with 2 loops each (fig. 14c, 14d).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 14a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 14b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 14c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 14d
 

Step 15

Now that both connection points are secure, start securing each root to the frame (fig. 15a, 15b, 15c).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 15a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 15b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 15c
 

Step 16

Using a pair of wire cutters, cut all excess wire and tuck in with needle nose pliers (fig. 16a, 16b, 16c).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 16a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 16b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 16c
 

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of the Tree of Life Wire-Wrap Tutorial

 

Step 17

Using your needle nose pliers, carefully make some kinks in the roots. This takes some practice.

Once you have a grip on the wire, twist your wrist to make the kink. Do this for all root wires (fig. 17a, 17b).

Carefully remove tape from your pendant (fig. 17c).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 17a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 17b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 17c
 

Step 18

Now that your roots are done, it’s time to work on the branches of your Tree of Life pendant.

Place a piece of tape over the roots, making sure that the connection points are not covered (fig. 18a).

Spread out your branches – move them around until you are happy with the layout (fig. 18b, 18c).

Secure your first branch on the right side of the pendant. Wrap your wire around the connection point and frame. Make 2 loops (fig. 18d, 18e, 18f).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 18a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 18b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 18c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 18d
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 18e
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 18f
 

Step 19

Secure a second branch with 2 loops to the connection point (fig. 19a, 19b).

Repeat the process on the other side, securing 2 branches to the connection point (fig. 19c, 19d).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 19a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 19b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 19c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 19d
 

Prefer this wire-wrapping tutorial in a PRINTABLE FORMAT?

Click here for the PDF version of the Tree of Life Wire-Wrap Tutorial

 

Step 20

Now it’s time to secure the rest of the branches. Start on one side and work you way around. Tie each wire around the frame with 2 loops (fig. 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 20a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 20b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 20c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 20d
 

Step 21

Using a pair of wire cutters, cut each wire and tuck the ends in with needle nose pliers.

Work your way around the frame (fig. 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f).

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 21a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 21b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 21c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 21d
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 21e
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 21f
 

Step 22

Next, carefully remove the tape off the pendant (fig. 22a).

Using your needle nose pliers, add kinks to all the branch wires, like you did for the roots.

Your Tree of Life pendant is now complete! (fig. 22b, 22c, 22d)

 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 22a
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 22b
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 22c
 
Tree of Life Tutorial
fig. 22d
 

FINISHED TREE OF LIFE PENDANT

 
 
 
 

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Filed Under: Tutorials/DIY

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MadelynnHey there! Thanks for visiting 🙂

My name is Madelynn and I’m the owner of Studio 73 Designs.

Studio 73 Designs is managed by a team of wire wrapping jewelry enthusiasts.

If you enjoy my content, you can support me on Patreon 🙂 Cheers!

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