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.