Wire Photo Tree

A fun way to display photos, movie tickets and postcards, this wire tree not only looks arty but costs only as much as a roll of craft wire to make.

It's so easy to do too, once you've made one, you'll be hooked and find yourself creating them in all shapes and sizes for you and your friends.

You will need:

Flexible wire – around 19 guage craft wire is ideal
Wire cutters
2 Lengths of dowel – or you can use wooden spoon handles
1 Length of thicker dowel – again a round handle will do

How to:

1. Cut one length of wire – around 90cm and fold loosely in half. Twist the cut ends neatly together several times

2. Stretch out the wire so it looks a little like a coat hanger with the twisted ends in the middle

3. Place one wooden spoon handle or dowel in one side of the loop and the other at the other end. Start twisting them in opposite directions, pulling gently as you go to form a 'firm' twist

4. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 3 a second time and place on top of the other to form a 'cross'. Some wire wrapped around this 'stem' will help to hold it in place

5. Cut lengths of wire to form the branches, around 9 will do, each measuring around 60 cm long. Bunch them together, tapping the ends down on the table so they are even before placing alongside the 'stem' part of the base. Take a long length of wire and begin wrapping around and around to hold the 'branches' securely to the 'stem'

6. Once you are happy the base will support the branches, cut the wrapping the wire and press the sharp end firmly down

7. Using the thicker dowel, wrap the ends of the 'branches' around a few times to form a circular paper clip. Remove the dowel and repeat for all branches

8. Adjust the tree so it is balanced and place in your favourite photos and souvenirs