Many years ago...
When I first started making my Christmas Tree Earrings, they were made from one long length of gold plated copper wire (per earring), with a tiny white Mother of Pearl star attached.
Becoming Eco Friendly
However I later decided to no longer create these ‘gold’ ones, as my focus moved to sustainability and the use of 100% recycled Sterling Silver wires. I also acquired some slightly larger Mother of Pearl stars – an ivory one, and a red one.
Now, my Christmas Tree Earrings are handmade using the sustainably sourced Sterling Silver, carefully wire-wrapped into a Christmas Tree shape, and with either the small white, or slightly larger red Mother of Pearl star attached to the top.
Creating a new collection
Then a few years ago, I decided to add a couple of pieces to create a small collection – the easiest and best in terms of wearability were a brooch, and a necklace (or pendant added to a chain). Again, both pieces are made from one long piece of wire, (although I do add the star with a separate, smaller piece). They are made by looping the wire into the branched tree shape with round nose pliers. Getting them all the ‘right’ shape can be pretty tricky!
Tricky Trees
The Brooch was the most complicated, as I wanted to have the sharpened ‘pin’ part, the spring and the cradle all made from one piece of wire. I had to make several in copper first (my practice wire) to get the right length!
Here’s a video looking at the Christmas Tree Brooch, during making – before the star is added and the spring and sharpened pin – made.
Different Loops
Making the pendant was a little easier, though I did end up making the top part of the pendant – the section that creates the loop for the necklace to go through – in 2 different ways! One was a ‘foldover’ style, the other was the wire wrapped way I usually do. I still haven’t decided which I like best.
What do you think?
Great Gifts
Each item in the Christmas Tree Collection has become a popular gift or treasured festive jewellery piece that is not too ‘over the top’.
They are, however, quite tricky to make in just the ‘right’ shape, and the small white Mother of Pearl stars are really quite fragile. The larger red and ivory ones are more sturdy, it’s just the white ones that can break easily.
As is always the case, each one is slightly different as they are all handmade by me. I try to ensure a pair of earrings is as similar as possible in shape and length, though sometimes I’ve had to make two pairs, as one just doesn’t come out right!
Here’s a video of me making some Christmas Tree earrings (in double time):
