How to Create a Mobile Sculpture

https://www.wikihow.it/Creare-una-Scultura-Mobile

•  07-08-2024  | 
• italia  | 
• fai da te  | 
• Forbici  | 
• Forbici  | 
• Forbici  | 
• 3 cannucce  | 
• 20 clip da disegno  | 
• Carta da imballaggio  | 
• Colla o scotch  | 
• Feltro, cartone o carta da imballaggio  | 
• Pinzatrice  | 
• Filo da pesca, filo o spago  | 
• Pinze  | 
• Taglierini  | 
• Piccolo cerchio da ricamo in legno  | 
• Spago o filo  | 
• Nastri, di vari colori e materiali  | 

Moveable sculptures are relatively inexpensive and easy to build at home.They are great crafts for little ones and, if sturdy materials are used, they can even be hung as decorations in a child's room.Here are some different ways to build your mobile sculpture.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Simple movable straws^[1]

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1. 
   1
   Slide 3 clips around a straw. Place one in the exact center, while the other 2 at the ends of the straw.

   • The clip in the center should point up and the ones at the ends should point down.
   • Position the clips on the sides approximately 1.25-2.5cm away from their ends.
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   2
   Prepare 2 additional straws. Follow the same procedure to build 2 more straws+clips.

   • Each straw should have one clip in the center, facing up, and 2 at opposite ends, both facing down.
3. 
   3
   Connect the straws using clip chains. Make the sculpture more interesting by creating chains of various lengths.

   • You can use as many straws as you like to make longer or shorter chains.
   • As an example, however, connect the second straw to the first by fitting the center clip of the second into the right clip of the first.
   • To the left clip of the first straw, attach 3 additional clips.Attach the lowest of these clips to the middle clip of the last straw.
4. 
   4
   Cut out shapes from wrapping paper. Draw stars, hearts, geometric shapes, letters, numbers or other simple shapes on colored paper.Cut them with scissors.

   • You should have between 4 and 6 shapes for this sculpture.The first straw should not directly hold any shapes, but each additional straw should be able to hold 3.
5. 
   5
   Attach the shapes to the sculpture using clips. Attach the paper directly to the clips dangling from the end of the straw.

   • You can also make chains of clips to form a less symmetrical moving sculpture.
   • For example, on the second straw, attach the leftmost clip directly to the shape.Hang 2 clips from the middle clip and attach another shape to the lower one.Hang 3 more clips from the rightmost one and attach your shape to the lowest one.
   • On the third straw, attach the shapes directly to the clips on each end.Hang 2 clips in the center before attaching your last shape.
6. 
   6
   Make the sculpture balance. Since clips and stars may be slightly unbalanced, you may need to move some of the clips to keep the sculpture balanced.

   • If the clips feel loose and move even after completing the moves, hold the clips in place using a small square of tape or a dab of glue.Let the glue dry before continuing.
7. 
   7
   Make a chain for the top. Connect the remaining clips to the top clip of the first straw.Use as many as you want to reach the desired length.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Mobile hanger^[2]

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1. 
   1
   Cut out 4 shapes for your sculpture. Draw animals, hearts, stars, letters or other similar shapes on solid felt and carefully cut them out using scissors.

   • You could also use construction paper or sturdy cardboard.
   • If you want, you can print images from your computer and cut those out instead of freehand drawings.
2. 
   2
   Cut pieces of string for each figure. You should have 4 segments of string, one for each figure, and each segment should be slightly different in size than the others.

   • Approximately, make a piece 30cm long and add or subtract 5cm for each additional piece.
   • You can use yarn, twine, fishing line, ribbon, or any other type of twine for this step.Thicker options, such as wire and tape, can be more durable, however.
3. 
   3
   Attach your shapes to the wire using your stapler. Center each piece of wire in the center of the top of its figure.Use the stapler.

   • Alternatively, you can punch holes in each figure using a metal hole punch.If you opt for this method, knot the thread in the hole instead of using the stapler.
4. 
   4
   Cut off the bottom of each hanger. You should remove approximately 30cm from each hanger.

   • Use a utility knife.Don't use simple scissors.
   • Proceed with caution to avoid cutting yourself on exposed metal parts.
5. 
   5
   Roll up the ends of each hanger piece. Use tongs to bend each cut end down and into a spiral.

   • The spirals should have a diameter of approximately 1.25cm.
   • Create closed spirals so that the pointed parts are no longer exposed.A closed coil will also prevent the wires from slipping off once attached.
6. 
   6
   Form a spiral in the center of a hanger. Use pliers to bend one of the 2 in the center.Screw it to form a spiral in the center of this hanger.

   • This spiral should be a little bigger.Aim for a spiral with a diameter of around 2.5cm.
7. 
   7
   Insert the other hanger into the spiral. Slide it without a central spiral through the central spiral of the other hanger.

   • If you have trouble getting the end spirals to pass through the center spiral, carefully unwind one spiral enough to fit through before folding it back into the previous shape.
   • Position the second hanger so that the center is inside the spiral of the first.
8. 
   8
   Roll the second hanger around the spiral of the first. Use pliers to bend the second hanger into a spiral that fits around the center spiral of the first hanger.

   • Both spirals should be in the middle of their respective hanger, and both should be about the same size.
9. 
   9
   Attach the wire shapes to your sculpture. Tie each thread to the spirals at the ends of the hangers.

   • Rearrange the thread lengths as desired until you achieve a final result you like.
10. 
    10
    Hang the mobile sculpture. Attach another wire to the top of the center spiral.Use this file to hang the sculpture.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Movable embroidery hoop^[3]

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1. 
   1
   Cut 6-9 pieces of ribbon. Each piece should be long enough to form a bow.

   • Sizes may vary if you want to create different sized bows for an asymmetrical effect.
   • The ribbons should measure between 15 and 25cm.
   • Choose ribbons of different colors and fabrics to create something more interesting to look at.
2. 
   2
   Bow each ribbon. Tie each ribbon into a standard “rabbit ear” bow.

   • Depending on the condition of your ribbons, you may want to iron them before testing them to create a more precise bow.
   • Tie a double knot in the center of the bow to strengthen it, if desired.
   • Trim the ends of the ribbon after tying them to make them even.
3. 
   3
   Cut a piece of yarn or string for each bow. Vary the length of the wire by 2.5cm.

   • Cut the first piece of wire about 38cm long.Each subsequent piece should be 2.5cm shorter.
4. 
   4
   Tie the pieces of thread to their respective bows. Thread each piece onto the back of a ribbon, into the center knot.Tie a simple knot to hold the bow on the thread.

   • For added security, consider tying double knots.
5. 
   5
   Attach the ribbons to the embroidery hoop. Tie the other end of each thread to the wooden embroidery hoop.

   • Leave the same space between the various threads on the circle.Note that it may be easier to arrange an even number of wires than an odd one.
   • Arrange the pieces of yarn so that they go from longest to shortest.This creates a spiral appearance.
6. 
   6
   Cut and tie additional thread at the top of the circle. Cut 2 pieces of wire about double the diameter of the circle.Knot these pieces to the embroidery hoop, crossing them in the center.

   • Tie a single or double knot between the thread and the embroidery hoop to secure them.
   • The pieces of wire should be perpendicular to each other at the top of the circle.
   • Twist a piece of yarn around the center of the other piece to join them.
   • When it comes time to hang your sculpture, do so from the central spiral formed by your intertwined wires.
7. 
   7
   Finished.
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Advice

• Get creative with the shapes you hang on your sculpture.Instead of cutting out two-dimensional letters, animals, and geometric shapes, build three-dimensional shapes by folding cranes or other types of origami.You can also hang toys or model airplanes on sturdier sculptures, such as those made of hangers or embroidery hoops.

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Things you will need

Simple movable straws

• 3 straws
• 20 drawing clips
• Wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape

Mobile hanger

• Felt, cardboard or wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Fishing line, thread or string
• Pliers
• Cutters

Movable embroidery hoop

• Small wooden embroidery hoop
• Twine or thread
• Ribbons, of various colors and materials
• Scissors