Tree of Life – Striped Agate

Materials
1 40mm Agate flat round bead
1 51x49x2mm cast metal distorted hoop
160cm 24ga wire
10cm 22ga wire
1 10cm jump ring
1 leather cord
1 cast metal bead hanger

1. Take the 10cm length of 22ga wire. Secure the wire to the hoop by creating a 2cm tail and wrapping it around the hoop (Picture 1A). Thread the bead on the wire and secure to the hoop by wrapping the end of the wire to the frame. Trim if need to finish the wire flushed (Picture 1B).

2. Take the 24ga wire and divide it into eight 20cm length of wire.

3. Take one 20cm section of wire and fold it approximately half way making one section of wire 3cm longer than the other. Place the hoop so it sits in the fold. Now twist the longer section of wire around the hoop three times to secure the wire. (Picture. 3A). Using the picture as a placement guide repeat this step to attach the other seven wire sections, placing 4 sections on each side of the bead (Picture 3B & 3C)

4. Create the trunk by bringing all the wire together in the centre and twisting for approx. 1cm (Picture 4a). Now separate the wire sitting and spreading them out so the wire are grouped in their original eight groups of two (Picture 4b).

NOTE: After you complete each step sit the pendant in your hand flat and push the bead forward so the tree starts to mould around it (Picture 4C & 4D)

5. Take the right hand side’s bottom group of four (8 strands) and twist together of approx. 1cm. Now take the remaining four groups (8 strands) and twist them together for 1cm. Re-separate the wire sitting and spreading them out so the wire are grouped in their original eight groups of two (Picture 5).

6. Take right hand side’s bottom to groups of two (4 strands) and twist together for approx. 0.5-1cm*. Moving in an anti-clock wise direction take the next two groups of two and twist together. Keep doing this for the remaining two groups of two. *Vary the size for each group (Picture 6).

7. Re-spread the branches so they sit in their original eight groups of two wires. Now twist each group together for approx 0.5 to 1cm. Vary the size of the twist for each group (Pic. 6A). Re-spread the branches so they are now spread evenly and the the tree has good coverage (Picture 7).

8. Once you are happy how your tree is looking sit the pendant in your hand flat and push the bead forward so the tree moulds around it (Picture 8).  Secure the branches to the edge of the hoop by wrapping around the wire around hoop a few times before trimming and finishing flushed (Picture 8B) .

9. Finish by taking your round-nose pliers and messing the wire giving the branches a rustic look. Take the 10cm jump ring and thread the top of the hoop and the bottom of the bead hanger. Hang on the leather cord.