Rusty Wire Crafts – a plethora of easy DIY wire decorations

“What do you think this is?” I asked the boys expectantly as I stopped them in their tracks and produced my latest craft fashioned from recently discovered rusty wire. “An ear!” chirped Master M cheekily. If I’m honest, I had thought my carefully created angel wing might not be the best of my work and so off I retreated back to The Little House to play some more. The Little House I hear you repeat. What is The Little House?  Do join me, I have much to share. A few rusty wire crafts and a new space in which to create…

I’ll come to the rusty wire crafts in a minute. Firstly, I have been a little over excited to share with you a new space just outside the home. Allow me to present, The Little House…

Half finished yet nonetheless, totally usable, this space was once-upon-a-time our garage. Regular readers may recall the mountains of upcycling projects that once resided here. This beautiful upcycle lived for a long time within these four walls awaiting its moment and these and this were stored for some time here too before their transformations. Like a great many other garages across the land, ours had never housed a car nor was it ever likely to. And so, The Little House was born and (in time), it is to become my studio. Another wonderful creative space where I hope to spend a great deal of time making and where I might be found if indeed I am not writing here. I know what you’re thinking. I am indeed a very lucky girl.

Eventually The Little House shall neighbour a beautiful kitchen garden featuring, I hope, delicious home-grown vegetables and salads. This will relocate to here and there will be vintage rustic wire supports which I have coveted for many a year thoughtfully placed, together with wooden arches and trellis’ for beans and peas to cling to as they grow. All in good time, for now though, this is the beginning of such a space…

Currently, Master M is in full time situ in The Little House, working from home in his exciting new role post graduating. Mr M and I hot spot at the other desk which is quite an interesting exercise. The loose plan is that later this year, this new space will become my full-time creative space: For now though I am (pretending to be) happy to share. 

And so, when it was my turn to spend a while in The Little House, I fashioned myself some rusty wire shapes including that angel wing. I had been so pleased with how this craft had turned out, I was keen to try my hand at a wired version too. Maybe a pair might be more identifiable as angel wings and not ears. Or maybe not. I’ll keep playing.

I made all my DIY wire crafts big enough to adorn a door or draw handle and I thought perhaps one or two might look at home in our new hallway in time. I have plans to simplify the décor there and imagine my homemade rusty wire decorations might work a treat hanging perhaps here or maybe even a larger version here. I also have a future project in mind involving a Shaker style peg rail where I feel sure they will look right at home too although I have yet to share this peg rail project with Mr M so you know the drill; Mum’s the word for now.

If you don’t have rusty wire and wanted to try this simple craft yourself, you can use any craft or garden wire, so long as you can manipulate it with your hands and pincers. Oh and wear gloves if yours is the rusty kind, it’s mucky stuff. I found I played around with mine so much, I lost a great deal of the rust anyway so to this simple Valentine heart – for the day shall be upon us very soon – I added just string and I imagine if I hang it somewhere in the garden it might indeed rust again over time. Pretty rag ribbons instead of string would accessorise it well in the home.

As I played around making these rusty wire crafts, I determined a smaller size perhaps with no rust, might work well as a pretty gift topper or could pop neatly inside a greetings card as a little gift. I think there is room for more experimenting too: Wouldn’t an embroidered ‘piece’ look right at home sewn to the wire? An embroidered heart tag on a wire heart perhaps…

I fashioned a mini coat hanger too and raided the dried flowers from last summer’s cottage garden, hot gluing them into place. A torn and faded cotton ribbon tied at its neck and a personal typewritten message completed this gift which was carefully wrapped in tissue paper and sent on its way to a dear friend.

I imagine you off now to locate your wire and pincers. What will you make first? One for the home or perhaps a gift? Plain and simple or maybe with threaded treasures? Oh I’ve just remembered: I’ve a broken bracelet somewhere in my stash, it’s glass beads will be just perfect partnered with a twist of understated wire… until next time x

Do you follow me on my Pinterest account? I have saved all my crafts and there are many more upcycles and sewing projects saved from talented people you might be inspired by too!