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 In the design above, we molded wire into a rectangular shape (see diagram
) to create the vase. Stems are placed in a can striped with tape.
DESIGN TIPS
Spray paint finished vase.
Roll a bright colored piece of paper into a tube and place inside wire vase
with drinking glass inside.
Use the shape of a favorite vase for inspiration.
Later in the fall, use without glass and water to display dried leaves and
flowers.
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![Spooktaculars Lanterns]()
Text by Jane Asper •
Produced by Kathy Curotto
How to make these Artful Armatures
One trip to the hardware store, or maybe your garage, and you’ll have
everything you need. Chicken wire is the basic ingredient, and to form it,
you’ll need needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, and leather or heavy rubber work
gloves.
1. First, prepare the chicken wire for shaping. For a practice vase, cut a
section of wire an inch or two wider and an inch or two longer than the diameter
and height you want your finished vase to be. The chicken wire will compress as
you mold it into shape.2. Lay chicken wire on your work surface with the twisted wires running
horizontally. Along the width, trim edges so the twisted wires form prongs
protruding from the ends of the hexagons on both sides. You need these ends to
be as long as possible, because you will attach them to each other to form a
seam along the side of the vase. 3. Trim the top and bottom edge of the chicken wire so that there are not any
twisted wires and the wire is flush. Use needle-nose pliers to crimp down any
ends. Whenever possible, use the selvedge edge (the smooth edge along the top
and bottom of the roll of chicken wire) for the bottom edge of the vase. 4. Next, make a basic cylinder shape, which is the basis for all the shapes
shown. The basic idea is to form the wire ends along one side into loops and
thread the wire ends on the other side through them. Use the needle-nose pliers
to form all protruding wires along one side into loops. Curve the sides of the
wire section together and use the needle-nose pliers to pull the protruding
twisted wires on the other side through the corresponding loops on the first
side. Twist into another loop to secure. Continue until seam is complete. This
gives you a basic cylinder shape. 5. Now, if desired, you can begin to mold the wire. To create narrower neck
at the top of the vase, gently squeeze the wire cylinder together between your
hands, turning it to keep it symmetrical and even. To make the narrow neck
taller, simply press each hexagon together vertically, evenly all around. To
make a wider section, stretch each hexagon out horizontally. To create ridges,
pinch hexagons in half horizontally. 6. Place finished wire vase over drinking glass or can, fill with water, add
flowers.
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