printer friendly version

going mobile

Let the wind take your imagination for a ride as you make use of found objects, great and small. Mobiles are flexible in many ways as you make them fit any space and any mood – whether they’re a gently amusing focal point over a baby’s crib or a boldly industrial statement strung from an imposing backyard tree branch. Allow your sense of balance and artistic sensibilities be your guide.

Gather the danglers
1. Your first mobile project should have one goal: Keep it simple.

  • Collect small, light objects of approximately the same weight.
  • You can vary the sizes, but try to find twin items in every size.

2. Get the appropriate hanging wires.

  • You’ll need a base rod (a hanger will do for light objects; a welding rod for larger items) and wire (string or piano wire for small items; larger diameter steel wire for bigger stuff).
  • Buy plenty of wire because you’ll probably use more than you expect. Plus, you may want to build a second mobile at the same time.
  • Tiny screw-eyes, used to attach picture frame wire, are often ideal connectors between hanging items.

It’s tool time
1. In general, you’ll need a variety of pliers and nippers.

  • Round-jaw pliers to make curves/bends in the wire.
  • Wire cutters appropriate to the wire you’re using
  • Needle-nose pliers for additional bending and finishing

2. Find a hanging hook to work from. You can’t build a mobile on a flat surface; you have to see it in suspension. Building the right balance is key, so hook up with a hook that’s accessible to your work area.

Start the suspense
1. Once you know what your base (top) bar will be, find its center and affix the wire it will hang from. Take time to ensure that it’s balanced, then hang it from your working hook.
2. Connect two items together with wire, then duplicate that with two more items. Balance those strings on either end of your base bar.
3. Continue to add strings along the base being careful to keep everything balanced. You’re only limited by the size of the base bar.
4. You can also add items to the bottom of the strings, allowing each side to balance, or adding to the middle string for more interest.

 

 

back to creative projects