Most often associated with the artist Alexander Calder, mobiles are an abstract art medium that rely on weights and balances. You can create a kinetic mobile using wire and small objects with hooks that you would like to hang from the wire. The most difficult part of making a kinetic mobile is balancing the two weights on the fulcrum, or center balance. The most effective method to begin making kinetic mobiles is to design your weights first, then find the correct balance through trial and error.
Instructions
1. Find or create items you wish to hang on the mobile. If you are using found items, such as toys, you will need to make a loop hook with heavy gauge wire and attach the hook to each item. Be sure to sculpt a hook into the piece if you are designing strictly with wire.
2. Lay the pieces on a piece of white paper or card stock. A roll of butcher paper is useful for very large mobiles.
3. Draw lines between the pieces to indicate how you would like the pieces to be connected. Move around the pieces and start over as many times as you need to until you are satisfied with the placement of your pieces.
4. Attach the pieces together with the metal wire. Thread the wire through the loop hooks on each piece from front to back. Bring the end of the wire up and wrap it tightly around itself three or four times with pliers.
5. Continue wiring until each piece is connected together. Be sure to leave several inches of space of wire or a slim wire bar at the top of the mobile for hanging.
6. Lift the wired mobile and test for balance. Hold the mobile underneath the top wire with your pointer finger. Move your finger right to left until you have found the most pleasing spot for balancing.
7. Twist the wire into a loop at your preferred spot. Attach a length of string or wire through the loop and hang your mobile.
