Wire art can take the form of most shapes.
Wire wall art can be used to add textural transparent artwork of any size to a wall. This type of art is commonly used for larger wall spaces where the person decorating wants to draw the eye of the visitor up toward a vaulted ceiling. Because wire art tends to be fairly light and it can be made to fit the size you want, this makes it a good solution for inexpensive artwork. When you are making your own wire art, you can shape the art toward a room theme -- making the design process easier and creating more continuity in the room.
Instructions
1. Look around the room where the art will be positioned. Note any consistent themes, such as circles, rectangles, triangles or other shapes. Look for collections, such as an art or flowers. Imagine an item already in the room made from bent wire at a larger scale.
2. Measure the size of the wall space you want to cover using a tape measure. Draw your design on craft paper at the size of your wall measurement. If you are not good at drawing, enlarge a photograph of the shape or object you want to use for inspiration. As an example, use the shape of a large turtle.
3. Tape your craft paper or photocopy to a sheet of plywood that is larger than the paper. Nail finish nails into the plywood every 2 or 3 inches along the outline of the turtle and the outline of its shell design. Include the location of its eyes, mouth and even toenails. Finish nails have no head. Nail them as straight as possible and almost completely through the wood so that the nail is secure.
4. Select a wire that you are just able to bend with your hands. You want the wire to be stiff enough to hold its shape. Most wire types will work. Avoid coated wires that are greasy or leave residue on your fingers. Wear safety goggles and gloves when handling the wire.
5. Start your wire art near the center of the drawing. Cut thick wire 3 to 5 yards long. You will probably use many wire sections to complete your entire art piece. Extend the end of your thick wire 1/2 inch beyond one nail guide. Clamp the wire to the nail. Bend the wire following your paper and nail guides using needle nose pliers and your fingers. Follow the outline shape of the turtle, making the larger shapes first followed by smaller shapes. The wire will cross over itself. Bend the wire around the nails, keeping the wire 1/2 inch from the plywood surface.
6. Cut 3-inch sections of thin wire. Wrap the thin wire over crossed wire intersections. Wrap in both directions, keeping the wire tight with three or four wraps each way. Finish with the wire ends to the back, twisted and tucked into the wire. Continue adding thick and thin wire until the entire turtle shape is fully realized. Trim off any thick wire ends or wire the ends to parallel wires using your smaller gauge wire.
7. Check your wire art, looking to make sure your wires are firmly bound together. Slide the art upward and off the nails. The art should be mostly flat and easy to hang on a wall.
