Elm · Rust

Rust is the elm at the very end of autumn, the canopy gone to deep weathered orange and brown, the rich color of the season just before the branches go bare.

The canopy is assembled from Czech glass seed beads in deep rust tones, each leaf placed on hand-twisted copper wire and layered into the wide, vase-shaped crown an elm is known for. The trunk is solid and slightly textured, mounted on a flat river stone for a steady base. Two to three days of bench time stand behind it, and the finished piece stands around 24 to 28 cm. Each tree is one of one, shaped entirely by hand.

This handmade beaded bonsai tree brings warmth and a settled, lived-in feel to a mantel, a desk, or a shelf of things with history. The color never fades and the tree never sheds. A handsome handmade gift for an anniversary, a new home, or anyone who loves the deep, final stretch of autumn.

Keep your piece out of direct sunlight and away from steam or damp. Dust gently with a soft, dry brush — never water or cloth. Branches can be reshaped lightly by hand. Cared for simply, a beaded tree lasts for decades.