Hi Anna. Using the methods already mentioned by Michael G , I see no reason you can't keep this as Nurbs when you deform the branches. Just create your flat trimmed shape. Split off any "limbs" by using a line as the splitting object. Run flow as MG described or even use the bend command but be careful that your bending spine is perp to the splitting line and that the bend starts a short distance inwards from the edge of the split, this will keep tangency of the seperate pieces. Bend takes a bit getting used to but good results are super easy once you got the hang of it and you set the Cplane properly to the bending plane. If you decide to use Flow the be sure to set the "stretch" option to "no" so the bent limbs will be accurate size after flowing. Then you could join the nurbs parts, thicken (shell) in MoI or Rhino 5...

Alternatively, you could model this in modo. Just divide a subd mesh to a high-res version and use the bend tool in conjunction with a weight map or falloff to control the localization. But would be difficult to keep the accuracy of the flat production form versus the subd form...

Another idea if you decide to model in subd is to rig a flat high-res mesh with bones in an animation program. A simple weight map could restrict the bent areas to selected regions. Then you're ready for some animation too... hmmm... I'm picturing a bad (really bad!!!) Eddie Murphy movie circa the mid-1980's with a dancing soda can... :•)

jonah