Creating Gem, Beaded & Bonsai Wire Trees

An experienced artisan offers step-by-step instructions, including more than 400 drawings and photographs, for creating decorative trees out of wire.

Novice artists will welcome Villano’s (How to Create Beaded & Wire Trees, 2009, etc.) clear directions as he introduces several types of wire-tree creations. This edition includes the “Weeping Willow,” which is the easiest to make, and the much more difficult “Mini Jade Leaf Cascade,” as well as such wall-art sculptures as the whimsical “Wind Swept on Round Base.” Although readers may be eager to quickly try their hands at making these lovely trees, the author notes that it’s best to read the entire book before beginning, and he assigns each project a one-to-10 difficulty rating. He briefly discusses the properties of different types of wire (aluminum wire, for example, is very pliable), provides a wire-gauge chart, and includes a thorough materials list with relatively easy-to-obtain items, such as enamel paint, beads and white craft glue. Villano adds several helpful tips for budding professionals who want to sell their creations, such as how to set prices, obtain a gallery for showings and write press releases. Although the author’s concepts are easy to comprehend and his voice is never patronizing, readers should note that the complex projects require a good deal of time and patience. Those who aren’t satisfied with their first attempts can take heart, however, as the author shares a 1977 photo of his first poorly formed tree sculpture and helpfully labels the mistakes he made: The trunk was too small, and the tree wasn’t securely bound to its base. With years of practice, Villano’s work is now beautiful, and although his book may feel a bit like a sales pitch at times, it remains a handy addition for any artist’s library.

An easy-to-follow guide for serious handcrafters.