DIY Network

Making a Butterfly Mobile From "Ask DIY" episode ADI-711

Debbie Stapley makes this butterfly mobile that's a delight-to-the-eyes for all ages.

Q: I'd like to make a mobile for my daughter's bedroom. How do I make one?

A: (Debbie Stapley, DIY craft expert) Here's a project for building a butterfly mobile that's so beautiful and delicate in appearance, it's bound to be pleasing for any baby to look at. It consists of two important elements -- the ornate and colorful butterflies and the wire that's used for constructing the support. The wire we used is called armature wire, and is very easy to bend, mold and cut. You can find it in craft stores and art-supply stores that carry products used for sculpture.

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Figure A
Figure B
Figure C
Figure D

Materials:

Glass beads or other decorative beads
Artificial butterflies
Armature wire
Paddle wire or floral wire
Fishing line
Needle-nosed pliers
Wire cutters
Hot-glue gun

• Cut two lengths of armature wire to about 18 inches in length, and curve them so each end bends up slightly into a bow shape (figure A).

• Use needle-nosed pliers to curl the ends of the wire (figure B).

• Use paddle wire (figure C) or floral wire (available in various colors at floral shops and craft shops) to connect the two bowed supports together.

• You'll simply wind a short length of paddle wire several to join the two curved pieces at their centers as shown (figure D). You decide how far apart the two curved supports will be by adjusting the length of the paddle wire as you desire. (You'll secure the connections later using hot glue.)
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F
  	Figure G
  	Figure H
  	Figure I
  	Figure J

  
  
• Next add glass beads to the length of paddle-wire extending from (figure E). These kinds of beads are also available at craft stores as well as specialty bead stores and suppliers.

• Simply select some beads that you like and thread them onto the paddle wire (figure F).

• Now you can begin adding the artificial butterflies (figure G). These are also available at craft stores, and each comes with a connecting wire already attached.

• Add a few beads onto the connecting wire then snip off any excess wire using wire cutters (figure H).

• Using the tip of the needle-nosed pliers, twist the end of the connecting wire end-over-end to form a small loop (figure I).

• Repeat with each of the butterflies.

• Tie the butterflies onto the mobile using strong fishing line.

• Once you have attached all the butterflies you want, hang the mobile and adjust the elements and supports until the mobile hangs evenly.

• Once you've achieved a good balance, secure all of the connecting points using a hot-glue gun (figure J).

• Trim away any excess fishing line with scissors.

Hang your mobile from the ceiling -- in a place were it will be eye-catching -- using a cup-hook.

Safety Alert: If you're hanging it above a baby's crib, be sure to suspend it so that it will be high enough to be out of the baby's reach.

RESOURCES :
Armature Wire
Dick Blick Art Materials Company
Website: www.dickblick.com

Armature wire
American Art Clay Co. Inc. (AMACO)
Website: www.amaco.com