"Gadget Dude" Dave Warden creates a chic wire centerpiece using wire found at the local hardware store. Materials: Paper 24" length of hardware cloth with a 1/4" (6 mm) mesh Roll of 22-gauge steel wire Pencil and ruler Scissors Wire cutters or metal shears Masking tape 6"-8" length of scrap 2" x 4" lumber or old brick 12"-long wooden dowel (3/4" - 1" diameter) Bulldog clips or twist ties Needle-nose pliers Flat or half-round file - Measure and cut out an 8" square from the paper.
- Measure and cut a 24" length of hardware cloth. Gently press flat.
- Center and tape paper pattern on hardware cloth using masking tape.
- Cut away the four corners (figure A) from the hardware cloth square to create a cross shape. Use wire cutters to snip away sharp edges that remain.
- Use scrap of lumber or brick as an edge to score wire and create sides of basket. Gently fold sides up one at a time against the brick or lumber (figure B).
- To adjust height of sides, place dowel along top edge of side and gently roll down edge. Estimate how much cloth will be needed to make the rolled edge. Remove excess material from each side, but don't roll cloth. Use twist tie as a marker.
- Use wire cutters to cut a length of the steel wire about twice as long as the height of the basket sides. Starting at bottom, use a whipstitch to wire sides together at corners. Use twist ties or clips to secure while lacing. Leave top of each side free to roll down.
- Use needle-nose pliers to twist wire securely. (Don't twist too tightly to avoid breaking the hardware mesh cloth). Leave excess wire free.
- Finally, roll top of each side down around the dowel. Press gently.
- Use remaining wire to whipstitch the rolled edge; snip off with cutters. Repeat process for all sides.
RESOURCES :
All Wired Up
by Mark Lareau
Interweave Press Inc.
Website: interweave.com
Metalcraft for the Home : 20 Step-By-Step Craft Projects
Model: 1581802285
Author: Lisa Brown
Wirework: Using Wire for Beautiful Home Decoration
Model: 1842153358
Author: Karin Hossack
(October, 2000)
Southwater Publishing (The Manning Partnership Ltd.-- Imprint of Anness Pub)
Phone: 0-1225-852727
Fax: 0-1225-85282
GUESTS :
Dave Warden
Scripps Productions
5757 Wilshire Blvd. #220
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: (310) 228-4568
"The Gadget Dude"
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