Wire models

Wire scraps and a few normally discarded items can be used to construct models. A couple of possible designs are shown below. But this construction method allows you to experiment with your own ideas because the material cost is practically zero. The wire can come from paper clips, clotheshangers or other sources. For models similar to the ones shown, use empty co2 cylinders, popsicle sticks, a short length of tree limb or other no cost items for the body. The wings can be cut from empty plastic gallon milk cartons, soda bottles or whatever seems appropriate.  If you have ideas for different designs you may be able to use other no cost items.

The appeal of these models comes from their form suggesting a fanciful creature. It is not necessary to create a model which is very detailed in appearance, if the model's form effectively suggest an appealing fanciful idea.

You will need at least one pair of pliers. Work with thinner wire such as that from paper clips, if working with thicker wire is difficult. Keep the wire tightly wrapped around anchor points to achieve a rigid structure. With practice even clotheshanger wire can be firmly attached to a popsicle stick by wrapping it tightly around the stick one and half times or so. Use the pliers to bend the wire sometimes with a crimping action. At times one of the jaws of the pliers supports the stick as the wire is bent. Trial and error will teach you how.

A nice even circle can be made by bending the wire around a cylinder such a pie roller, co2 cylinder, broom handle or etc. A coil of about 1 and a half times around can be used to hold something flat such as a wing. Another way is making a 90 degree bend about 2 inches from the wire end of a wing support, punching 3 holes in the wing and pushing the wire through the holes. Thick wire from a clotheshanger can be attached to a cylinder by bending the wire around the cylinder to form a loop, crimping the loop so it is smaller than the cylinder and then forcing the loop onto the cylinder. See the following diagram/discription for one method which gives a fairly solid attachment.

Place the cylinder across the center of the wire's length. Bend the wire around the cylinder. If necessary firmly grip the wire and cylinder together within the jaws of a pliers to aid in bending the wire. The loop should go about 3/4 of the way around the cylinder. Make gradual 180 degree bends at the places in the wire where the loop stops being a loop. The bends should be made in such a way that about another 1/4 of the circumference of the cylinder is contacted by each wire end. This only makes a secure attachment with heavy wire around a small diameter cylinder. A second pair of pliers made be needed to bend the wire with the first pair holding the cylinder and wire together.

All exposed wire ends should be bent into a loop so the end is not available to perhaps injury an eye. This is an important safety measure which should not be ignored.

Small loops at the ends of a model's legs could be used to hang it on a wall. Or you may choose to hang the model from a ceiling to display it.

Some functionality can be added to a model. Include an antenna upon which a key ring can be hung. Or shape the antenna so it will hold a photograph or pencil. A spring type clothespin makes a holder for a note and looks like a head with mouth, jaws, eyes and ears or horns.