Make Wire Yard Art
Wire yard art can add a whimsical touch to your landscape. Even if you are a novice at working with wire, you can easily shape it into a variety of projects with the help of a template and a jig. Once you create a sturdy wire outline, you can embellish the space between the outlines with beaded wire. Create beaded wire bumble bees, butterflies or dragon flies to decorate your yard or garden. Place them among the flowers that border your home or create a grouping as art for your yard.
Instructions
1. Select a template for the outline of your wire yard art insect. Trace the outline of one wing or wing set onto a wood block and hammer finishing nails around the outline to create a jig. You will only need to make a jig for one side of the insect's wings. When you wrap the wire to make the wings, you can flip it over to make the wings on the opposite side of the body. It's easier to make similar size objects from wire if you first create a jig.
2. Cut a length of 18-gauge wire to fit around the outside perimeter of the nails on your jig. Wrap the wire around the jig to shape the wings. Remove the wire. Make a loop on the ends with your round nose pliers. Hook the loops together and press them closed to complete your wing formation. Repeat this step once more.
3. Cut a strip of 18-gauge wire three times as long as the desired body of your yard art insect. Wrap the wire around a dowel to form a spiral. You can shape the spiral as you like, tapering it on one end or widening it on the other to configure the body of your insect.
4. Cut a length of 22-gauge wire as long as the body of your insect. Bend the wire to make a hook at one end of the strip. Thread beads over the strip to the top. Make another hook and insert the strand inside the wire spiral. Close the hooks around the spiral body formation.
5. Cut a strip of 22-gauge wire to fit across one of the wings. Hook the wire on one end. Bead the wire with one or more beads to create embellishments for the wings. If you prefer, you can add only one or a few beads to the wires that cross the wings. Each time you place a single bead, bend the wire before and after the bead so it will stay where you want it. Make a hook when the wire is beaded as you like and attach the beaded wire to the wings. Add as many wire strands as you like across the individual wings. It's a good idea to keep the sides symmetrical so that your insects will be evenly weighted.
6. Cut four 6-inch strips of 22-gauge wire. Connect the wings to the body by wrapping the strips around the wings and then around the body spiral.
7. Cut a 4-foot section of 18-gauge wire. Beginning 12 inches from one end, wrap the wire around the dowel to make a spiral. Make a hook at the end of the spiral and attach the wire underneath the insect's body. Insert the straight end into the yard as decorative art.
