Patriotically Playing with Wire

So who knew patriotically was a word? Not me! Anyways, I recently went to Tuesday Morning (aka the store that has a lot of stuff I don't need). I was looking around and saw some 18 gauge wire. I've been wanting to use wire in my beading and jewelry making and the price was right, $1.99! For the past two days I've been playing around with it and came up with a little patriotic craft.

Supplies & Tools:

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Wire cutters
Round Nose Pliers (very important!)
Bent Nose Pliers (less important but still good to have)
Wire (I used 18 gauge, very bendable!)

Directions:

First figure out your design. I went with a swirly USA. For a reference, I wrote it out. Then cut a piece of wire for the first letter, and overestimate what you think you want to use.

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Next, start swirling! Hold the end of your wire with your Round Nose Pliers and twist the wire around. 

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Using your pliers, hands or a combination of both, bend the wire into your shape. I like to use my sketch as a reference. 

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When you come to the end of the letter, leave enough tail to swirl but not too much (eh, just guess!)

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I trimmed this a little. 

Here is the finished product:

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It only took me about 15 minutes from start to finish, and that included taking pictures! 

Ways to use wire letters:
On papercrafts
Glue to napkin ring
Hair barrettes, like this one
Glued onto sturdy key chain
Home decor, like with a faux firework display
Fridge Magnets
Jewelry**

**One thing to remember: the wire is still VERY bendable, so however you use these letters, make sure you know that little fingers can ruin your shapes. 

What would you design?

10 comments :

Mary Pat Siehl said...

oh what a fun idea!! i have never worked with wire before

Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

Cute and clever!

BigBad said...

Those might make cute cake toppers for the Olympics/July 4th coming up. So many possibilities, especially if you can make them so quickly.

Heather Landry said...

Very, very cool! I love how you drew the letters beforehand to make sure they would look like you wanted.

ELA said...

Very cute! I can't believe it only took you 15 min! I'm sure it would take me several hours! ha!

keatseatsblog said...

This really would be cute on a fireworks display!

Kristen said...

Neat! I've never worked with wire before but it looks fun to try.

Michelle Paige said...

Love how you showed how to make this! Adorable! Would you be willing to link up this idea and any other patriotic ideas to my Red, White, Blue & You Link Party? I'd love to have you! Thanks, Michelle http://www.michellepaige.blogspot.com/2012/05/red-white-blue-you-holiday-link-party.html

Sam | Away She Went said...

What a good idea! That's such a good tip to draw out your idea first and then form the wire to your sketch!

Kristin said...

How nifty, Jaime!

Also, I nominated you for The One Lovely Blog Award and The Very Inspiring Blogger Award! I've seen you visit my blog many times commenting and I appreciate that so much! And I love you and your family's blog =)

http://littlecorbinhill.blogspot.com/2012/07/nomination-love.html

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