How To Make A Wire Bonsai Tree - [Step By Step Tutorial]

What kind of art can you make with copper wire? A lot, it turns out! Copper wire art is a new, unique way of creating a custom wire sculpture with just a few tools. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crafter, wire wrapping is fun, easy, and a forgiving material to work with, allowing for endless creative possibilities.

Today, we’re focused on one of the most popular copper wire art projects: the wire bonsai tree. This copper wire tree sculpture is so easy to make you can do it with your kids! It is a fun project to do when your creative juices are flowing, whether it’s when you first wake up or when you've just been sitting on the couch for too long and you want to get creative. This project only needs a few tools and materials that you probably already have around your house, you just didn't know it! Seriously, who would have known that pliers would be the perfect wire wrapping tool? This is the perfect accent piece for your décor and the ideal housewarming gift for a friend.

In this step-by-step tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of making your own wire bonsai tree sculpture, perfect for adding a touch of nature-inspired art. All you'll need are pliers (needle nose and round nose pliers), end nippers or wire cutters, some foam or cloth, copper wire (20 gauge wire, or more, will give you the best results), 4 screws and a wooden block.

If you need extra help or want to follow along with us as you make your copper wire bonsai tree, be sure to check out our step-by-step video tutorial on Youtube below!
 

Wire Bonsai Tree Supplies List

Once again, here’s what you’ll need to make a wire bonsai tree:

• Round Nose Pliers
• End Nippers
• Needle Nose Pliers
• 20 Gauge Copper Wire
• EVA Foam (You can also use cloth or other foam)
• Wooden Block with 4 screws
• Self Healing Cutting Mat

Wire Bonsai Tree Tutorial

Step 1: Grab your copper wire and end nippers. We’re using a 20 gauge wire, however, the thicker the wire the better.

Step 2: Unwind some of the wire and use the ruler on your cutting mat to measure 16 - 18 inches of wire. We chose to cut our wires at 16 inches.

Step 3: Take your end nippers and cut the wire off of the spool. Repeat this process until you have a minimum of 25 pieces of wire at your desired length.

Tip: The more wires you cut, the better.

Step 4: Separate your wire strands into 4 equal groups. Once done, grab your wooden block with 4 screws.

Tip: Wrap the bundles of wire strands first before you wrap them around the screws on the block. This will help keep all the wires together.

Step 5: Take a bundle of wires and wrap it around a screw. Repeat on each of the remaining screws.

Step 6: Once the wires are secure, bring all four bundles to the center of the block.

Step 7: Grab your EVA foam (or cloth) and needle nose pliers. Wrap the foam around the wires, take your pliers and place it over the foam and twist the wires together.

Tip: The foam will help you not scratch the wire as you twist them together with the pliers. If you do not have foam, you can use cloth or a microfiber towel. Turning the block as you twist, instead of the pliers, will also help you. Not only will it make it easier to twist them together, it will trim off some time on your project.

Step 8: Once you've twisted the wires to the center of the block, grab a minimum of 4 wires and separate it from the trunk.

Step 9: Grab your pliers and foam piece again and twist the branch wires together.

Step 10: Repeat steps 8 and 9 until you have the trunk and branches separated the way you want. When you have finished separating all the branches, your wire should look like this:

Step 11: After you have separated your wires, grab your round nose pliers. Go to the end of your first branch and grab one of the wires.

Step 12: Wrap the wire around the nose of the pliers to create little circles. This will be the little leaves on your bonsai tree.

Step 13: Repeat step 12 for each wire piece.

Tip: having the tree lay on the table will make it easier to twist the wire when creating leaves with the round nose pliers.

Step 14: Once you have finished curling all of the wires, place the leaves the way you would like them to be. Don’t be afraid to move them around; you can always fix your "leaves."

Step 15: Take your wire tree off of the wooden block and screws.

Step 16: Grab a decorative bowl and place your beautiful wire bonsai tree inside your bowl. Add rocks, marbles, jewels, or whatever else you'd like to fill in the space.

Tip: adding rocks into the bowl will not only help the tree stand up, it will give your copper wire art a beautiful touch!

And just like that, you’ve now created your very own copper wire bonsai tree! This gorgeous tree is a great gift for the one you love whether it is for the holidays, a birthday, or just an awesome house warming gift. Don't want to give it away? Keep it for yourself! It is fun, easy, and a conversation piece sure to have your guests asking, how did you make that?

We hope you enjoyed creating this wire bonsai tree as much as we did!
Don't forget to show us how you DIY by tagging us on Instagram at excelblades and excelblades.co. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more DIY projects and tips on our tools. Make sure you are following us on our Amazon account to see live videos and workshops with our tools!

Want to try more DIY projects with Excel Blades? Check out our blogs for more can’t-miss arts and crafts fun!