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Wire InitialWire Initial
This is one of our coolest projects yet … something every little girl may want for her room, to hang over the mirror, in the window, or to decorate the door. The Wire Initial can make a great gift too, with the holidays coming up — you can get an early start on yours. So, get a bunch of tubing and start shaping and winding — It's as easy as that. It's a great project for Girl Scouts too. Let them start making gifts. Old or young, it's great fun.

(Click on image for larger view)

(Measurements are for an 8" high L initial) You may want to measure your initial before you purchase your copper tubing.

MATERIALS:
2-1/2 yds. Wrights® 4mm White Pearl Trim (#183-8521-030)
3/4 yd. Wrights® 5/8" Helio Ribbon or color of your choice (#222-373-919)
4 ft. 3/16" (outside diameter) Soft Copper Tubing (available at most hardware/home repair stores)
1 canMetallic Gold Enamel Spray Paint
1 Roll24 Gauge Gold Craft Wire
--Pattern for Initial (actual size of finished project) (interesting type styles can be found online)
--Piece of Plywood (big enough to fit initial)
Misc.Nails, Hammer, Wire Cutters, Scissors, Tape, String

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INITIAL:
    Wire Initials Template
    Photo 1
  1. Print initial, style of your choice.
  2. Place pattern on top of plywood and tape down corners.
  3. Starting at the inside center of your pattern hammer two nails into the wood on either side of the beginning line, approximately 1/4" apart.
  4. Hammer two nails approx. 1/4" apart every 2" along your initial line (you may need to put them closer at the tight corners).
  5. Measure around initial with string.
  6. Cut a piece of copper tubing to this length (using wire cutters).
  7. Insert tubing between the first two nails.
  8. Gently bend tubing and push it between each set of nails as you go along (See photo 1).
  9. Lift shaped copper initial off of template. (You may have to push apart nails slightly).
  10. Place copper initial on protective paper and spray paint according to manufacturers instructions (Paint both sides).
  11. Tape pearls to one end of the initial.
  12. Wrap pearls around entire initial (see main photo).
  13. Cut and tape in place on finishing end.
  14. Leaving a 1" tail, wrap wire twice around one end catching pearls.
  15. Twist tail to wire and continue to wrap wire around entire initial (over the pearl trim) to hold in place.
  16. Repeat step 14 at the opposite end.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR HANGER:
  1. Cut a 6" piece of wire.
  2. Center a pencil over the wire, wrap the wire around it two times.
  3. Remove from pencil and slip tails through circle in opposite directions.
  4. Wrap tails around the top of the initial (position and check for balance when hanging) twist ends together (see photo for placement).
  5. Slip ribbon through hanger and knot at top.
  6. ENJOY!

Wire Initial other idea

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Other Exciting Links:
  • Visit the Wrights® Classroom for more fun projects.
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