Working with Colors-Practice Trees

Experimenting with Colorful Wire: Creative Trials and Lessons Learned

When I picked up a spool of green wire, my vision was clear: create saguaro cacti. While I’m still figuring out how to bring that idea to life, I decided to experiment and try a few alternative designs. These photos capture the results of that creative playtime.

The Yin-Yang Tree

One of my favorite discoveries was the harmonious combination of green and silver wire. The entwined colors reminded me of a yin-yang symbol, so I decided to wrap a hoop with half green and half silver wire. While the concept worked beautifully, the execution presented challenges. Attaching the tree to the already-wrapped hoop resulted in bulky wraps, making the design look a bit sloppy. In hindsight, I think it might have been better to wrap the hoop after securing the tree for a smoother finish.

Adding a Moon and Mixing Materials

I experimented with pairing a moon design alongside the tree, which sparked another idea: the moon might look better with the first tree I made. That tree was wrapped with brown yarn, creating a warm, earthy vibe. Combining the green and silver wire on one half of the hoop with brown yarn on the other half turned out to be a striking look. I loved the balance and contrast it brought to the piece.

Up-Close Details

The close-up shots highlight the vibrant green and silver wire—it’s almost reminiscent of a candy cane! However, I learned that this wire can scratch easily if handled too roughly, so I’ll need to invest in a pair of nylon pliers to protect it during crafting.

Lessons Learned

Material Efficiency: Wrapping a hoop entirely with wire uses a lot of material, which feels wasteful. I’ve realized I prefer wrapping hoops with yarn or embroidery thread, which is more cost-effective and visually appealing.

Order of Operations: For a cleaner finish, I’ll try attaching elements like trees to the hoop first, then wrapping the hoop afterward.

Experimentation Yields Inspiration: Even when a project doesn’t go as planned, it often sparks new ideas. The moon and yarn-wrapped tree combination is one I’ll revisit for future designs.

Moving Forward

While the yin-yang tree design isn’t perfect, I’m happy with what I’ve learned. Experimentation is all about trial and error, and these pieces have given me plenty of inspiration for my next projects. Stay tuned for more creations as I continue to explore the possibilities of colorful wire and mixed materials!

Practice Tree 1.

Practice Tree 2.

Comments

The Magic Behind the Tree of Life

Hey beautiful souls! If you’ve ever browsed my shop, you’ve probably noticed I’m a little obsessed with the Tree of Life. There’s something about its shape, strength, and spirit that just speaks to me. Today, I want to share why this symbol shows up in my work again and again, and what it truly means to me. The Tree of Life is more than just a pretty shape—it's an ancient, cross-cultural symbol that represents connection. From its roots deep in the earth to its branches reaching for the sky, it reminds us we’re all part of something bigger. It shows up in Celtic myths, Norse legends, and even in modern spiritual practices. It represents growth, balance, and connection. Why do I create these trees? For me, each tree is a mini meditation. Every twist and bead is intentional. I use earthy glass beads, natural tones, and grapevine wreaths (in some projects) to keep things rooted (literally!) in nature. Each tree is unique and sometimes a little wild. This is because I allow my creat...

Look at This Tree!

I recently made a 5” wire tree with amethyst chips, but let’s just say... it didn’t turn out quite as planned. I got a little carried away on one side, making it look uneven. Normally, I’d adjust it, but I wasn’t happy with how the tree attached to the yarn-wrapped hoop anyway. The yarn colors clashed with the amethyst, and now the whole thing has been banished to my box of bad ideas. I always have a clear vision of how I want my trees to look, but if I lose focus, things tend to go off the rails, and I end up with something totally different. Sometimes, that’s frustrating—but maybe that’s not always a bad thing? On another note, I’m still figuring out how to create a 3D wire saguaro cactus. Every time I go for a walk, I study the saguaros, trying to translate their shape into wire. Sure, wire cacti already exist, but they’re usually just simple outlines. I want to create a full, three-dimensional saguaro—something that really captures its essence. It’s a challenge, but I’m determined ...

Embracing the Journey: A Look Inside My Creative Proces

As a creator, I pour my heart and soul into crafting jewelry, wire trees, sun catchers, and unique gifts. Yet, when you visit my shop, you’ll notice only a handful of items listed—why is that? It’s simple: I’m thinking about the future of my business. I don’t rush into creating pieces just to fill my shop. For me, crafting is an intentional process, one that requires focus and the right mindset. Each item is handmade, which naturally takes time. Add to this my full-time job, and it’s clear why I sometimes have fewer pieces available. When I first ventured into e-commerce, I launched my own website and reopened my Etsy shop. While this expansion was exciting, it quickly became overwhelming. Running multiple platforms was more than I could handle, so I scaled back. Now, I’ve decided to focus solely on Goimagine while (slowly leaving Etsy) for selling and use my website as a space to showcase my work. Simplifying in this way has made a world of difference. Creativity runs in my family. My...

Beneath the Oak Designs

Search This Blog