April Showers Mobile - Designer Crafts Connection

Hi Crafters!

This month on the Designer Crafts Connection blog hop our theme is "April showers bring May flowers".  I was inspired to create a mobile from craft wire with that theme in mind.  This little swirly cloud is raining happy flowers!

Craft wire is easy enough for the kids (or anyone!) to use since it's got a copper core making it easy to bend.  It comes in a lot of bright colors and can be found in most craft stores. 

April Showers Mobile by Terry Ricioli

Here's what you'll need to create your own:

Craft wire:  White, 18 gauge and 24 gauge; Silver, 24 gauge; Pink, 24 gauge
Jump rings, silver:  12
Buttons, flower faces with shanks:  3
A short length of chain or string

Tools:  wire cutters, round-nose pliers

For the cloud, cut a length of 18-gauge white wire and fold it in half.  Curl the ends into a swirl.  When you get enough swirls to make your cloud, arrange them and notice where they touch.  Connect those points by wrapping with 24-gauge white wire.

For the raindrops, cut a length of silver wire about 4" and fold in half around your finger.  Bring the ends together and twist.  Make a loop with the rest.  You can also make a wrapped loop as you would for jewelry.

For the flower, cut a length of pink wire about 12" long.  Twist a small loop in the end and form a petal.  Bend the wire back on itself and twist the bend to make a small loop.  Continue making petals and twist a small loop on the end of the wire.  Fold a 4" piece of wire in half and slip through the button shank.  Slide the loops of the flower on the wire ends.  If you've got 6 petals, put 3 loops on one wire and 4 loops on the other.  Slide all the loops up against the button, twist the wires together and press them against the back of the button.  Trim the ends and arrange the petals.

Here's a photo to show the flower before it's gathered against the back of the button.

Flower Construction

Once you've got everything constructed, connect the parts with jump rings.  Add a chain or string for hanging.

Happy Spring Crafting!

Terry

 PS  Don't forget to hop around the Designer Crafts Connection blogs to see the other fun crafts!