Wire Wrapped Stone: How I Did It Myself

DIY wire wrapped, semi-polished stone and a story that comes along.

During a stop-over in one of our road trips I found a rough, translucent stone on the ground. It was just raw beauty.  I took it home, looked at it from time to time wondering what I'd do with it. Then one day, I decided to take it to my own hands to polish it. Although I didn't have the tools, I do have the will power.

 I sanded it with white sandpaper, I buffed it with sand then washed dust away with water and soft-bristled brush and buffed even more with soft cloth till eventually~

                    it went from this                                        to this.                            

The next step is wrapping it with wire. So here is my beginner attempt to do so~

It was too large to use as pendant for a necklace so I attached it to a bag zipper instead...and now I can carry it whenever, wherever.

DIY Faux Gold Armband

Thanks to my son's school activity, I was forced to find a way to create a faux gold armband for his ethnic costume. Luckily all the materials needed (which consisted of just 2 main items) can be found just around the corner. 

It was that of a pintados (painted) prince costume that inspired this project.

 Materials needed:

 ~ duct tape, metallic gold wire and a paper pattern cut to fit.

The paper pattern should be in the shape of a trapezoid with slight angles on the sides.

 Procedure:

Step 1: Prepare the duct tape by laying a portion down ( sticky-side up) the table; if the tape is not wide enough for the band, stick two pieces together then cut and shape according to the paper pattern.

 Step 2: Stick the metal wires on the duct tape one by one. The length of each should exceed the length of  the tape by about half an inch on both sides. Carefully curve the wires as you go along.

Step 3: Fold in the exceeding wire ends on the 'wrong' side of the band.

Step 4: Cover the folded ends of the wire with a small piece of tape so as not to cause any discomfort.

Step 5: Curve the band all the way till you achieve the desired result.

Armbands are integral and defining to many kinds of costume and to those who need to come up with a pair asap, I hope this post helps.

Designer Chair Inspired Miniature

Today's project draws inspiration from the creative genius of world-renowned designer Kevin Cobonpue. From one of his television interviews, according to him, he takes much of his inspiration from nature. His creations are known for their organic elements in both design and material, and for their exemplary craftmanship.

It may relieve you to know however that no weaving will be required for this diy miniature project; just hot glue, a bunch of floral wires and a cork or two will do.

    

Things needed are: floral wires, 1 or more corks, washers, a pair of scissors, glue gun.

(1) ~ (2) Cut Floral wires to desired length, about 3.5"-~4" is suggested. (3) Hot glue wires to the cork in batches. (4) Attach washer to the base of the cork as stand.

 For practical purposes, this miniature may also be used as a place card holder. You may experiment with other materials to go with the floral wires or tweak up the design a bit, like say by twisting the wires or something like that. Inspiration sure begets inspiration, so thank you gifted designers for enriching the world with your creativity and innovativeness.

Bead and Wire Mini-Christmas-Parol

For my part of the world, with no snowflakes or chilly winter, it is usually the warm-colored lights of the parol that ushers in the Christmas spirit as early as September.

A parol is a Christmas lantern ornament unique to the Philippines, it is dominated by a basic five-point star pattern and is usually lighted with bright mini-lights. In most cases, it is made up of bamboo sticks and Japanese paper or colored cellophanes. But nowadays, materials vary, along with the tweaks in the design.

 Essentially, the parol evokes the Star of Bethlehem that guided the path for the Magi to find and witness the birth of the Messiah. To Filipinos it is also a symbol of hope and radiance through the darkness.

How to Make a Bead and Wire Mini-Christmas-Parol

Materials to be used are: wire tools for cutting and twisting; assorted beads of your choice; and craft wire.

1. Take an approximately 3" wire, put a bead in the middle whilst bending the wire slightly; this bead will be part of the star at the center of the parol.
2. String two more beads through both ends of the wire.
3. Twist the wire once or twice to steady the three beads.
4. Push another bead, joining the bended wire as one.
5. Add two or more beads, playing on the colors.
6. Make four more sets of this to complete the parts of the five-pointed star.
7. Take another piece of wire and string the five initial beads together to form the star at the center of the parol.
8. Twist that wire at the back and cut excess.
9. Add more elements like the outer circle and 'tails' depending on your design preference.

Mini Ice Cream Parlor Set

Dollhouse furniture-making can be a very engaging hobby. It dates back to centuries past when rich housewives (and everyone else) didn't have thrilling TV series to consume their time with. It can also be a great bonding activity for mother-daughter tandems~ so it would be wise to save some tricks up your sleeves from time to time.

Two major things this project needs is a trio of champagne cork cages and a rope. But if you have an old, outdated and worn braided rope belt you are ready to discard away with any minute- well hold on a second...always think recycling, it is kind to our environment.

You'll Need:

• 3 or more cork cages
• rope or an old braided rope belt
• a bottle cap
• some wires
• strong undiluted white glue
• a piece of cardboard
• a pair of scissors
• some wire tools
• a glue gun/ glue stick
• a black marker

Procedure:

  ~for the chair

1. First take out the cap and the separate bottom wire off the champagne cork cage.
2. Cut 2 pieces of extra wire with lengths of about 6" each.
3. Bend to form 2 mirror image of the pieces that would resemble the back support of an ice cream parlor chair.
4. Attach the two wires together by twisting, now they are one piece.
5. Attach this to the cork cage.
6. This is optional: replace a new wire at the bottom part of the cork cage; most ice cream parlor chairs have this part. 
7. For a slick finish, cover the completed chair frame with a 'coat' of black marker.

 ~for the table

1. Take out the cap and the separate bottom wire off another champagne cork cage.
2. To elevate the table, hot glue a bottle cap on top of the cork cage.
3. Cut 2 small and 1 large proportionate circles on a piece of cardboard.
4. Coil the end of rope by itself in a small circle then start glue-ing at the center of a cardboard piece winding round and round till it's fully covered.
5. Secure the other end of the rope at the back of the cardboard.

    This is how the set would look after the 'seats' and the table board have been attached: