How To Make a Chicken Wire Suncatcher

[@valcascagnett2852]

Those jump rings make me CRAZY too!!!!

[@Freida657]

Thank you for showing the WHOLE PROCESS including the failed attempts!☺️

[@makersunify]

You're welcome!

[@KarenHubert-vq1yh]

Can you show us how you got the chicken wire on?

[@TheBethyb00p]

To pull apart a jump ring push one side away from you while pulling other side towards you. When putting ends back together, push and pull simultaneously with pliers holding each end. When you hear a click you will see the ends meet up again. Been making jewelry since 2012 😊. This way of separating and putting together is also less stressful on the wire.

[@tammymonti2283]

Very clear instructions I would definitely get a screw on table vice to hold your hoop into place so it’s one less thing you need to hold onto and two pliers to put that ring back together. It’s probably easiest. Great job thank you very much.

[@makersunify]

Good idea! And thanks for watching!

[@belindastrickland2591]

I use crimp pliers to close jump rings. Because they have little grooves in them that will grip the jump ring.

[@makersunify]

@@belindastrickland2591 good tip!

[@silverson40]

Great information & helpful comments from everyone. This is definitely my next craft project. Hope I have the patience to stick w it🤞🏼

[@makersunify]

Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@arhodes2866]

Thank you for posting this

[@makersunify]

You’re welcome!

[@GaylSmith]

When you separate the jump ring use pliers, do not pull it apart, twist it slightly, hold onto one side of the ring, put on the bead, then on to chicken wire.. then grab pliers again and twist back together. It's easier than trying to shove it. together. Also I would do work from the front side instead of swirling around the project. Don't know if you do, but give it a shake and twist test. Shake and twist in many directions to see if any thing falls off. I'm working on one now wating for some supplies. I bought pins with a head on the end. There is no need for a bottom loop. Then, we will twist the long end on to the wire. Won't need jump rings. I'm hoping

[@noelleboehm1142]

Fantastic Ideas! Very Creative. Love these Chicken Wire Ideas!

[@makersunify]

Thanks!

[@kenziegumby]

Looks so good!

[@makersunify]

Thanks!

[@agould105]

I’m in the middle of making my first ones. My biggest issue is how to attach the chicken wire to the embroidery hope. My comment to you is it’s much easier to use a T pin to put the beads on. You can buy 2 inch ones. I’m thinking it was about five dollars for 400 of them, and then I just string beads on them. Then I bend the wire and make a loop at the end of it using the pliers.

[@makersunify]

The hoop I used was pretty wide so it was easier to get the chicken wire on. Thanks for the tip on hooking the beads on!

[@agould105]

I don’t think there’s an easier way to attach the beads to the wire. I just finished my first session of it using my fingers which was very challenging . What I ended up doing with the hoop, was wrapping it with burlap string. Using hot glue gun to glue the first part, and then wrapping it with the string, it looks more like jute string. That covers up the bare wires.

[@valcascagnett2852]

I use these too. Easier then wire

[@alanatyler2163]

Can you post a picture?

[@kelh3012]

First, these are really neat. I make jewelry. Jump rings are meant to be opened and closed with 2 pliers. The ring’s opening is cut on an angle so that you can open it and then close it right back to where it is completely closed. There are videos on how to open and close a jump ring. Using your fingers is always a nightmare. Also oval jump rings are easier to work with. The cut is on the “side”. 😊 The real issue here is you are trying to hold onto the piece while trying to manage opening & closing a very small part onto it. Can you put it in a vice? Sit it down in a heavy container so you don’t have it keep falling away from you? Something needs to be done with the structure to keep it working against you!! Love your idea!! Thanks for all of the starting ideas, easy to look for something to use with all of those ideas in mind!! K

[@tinaharvey356]

Oh I love this.

[@jdoe3593]

You can use a jump ring open/close tool that fits on your finger.

[@makersunify]

Oooh! I'll have to find that!

[@taraized]

Thank you for your tutorial! I recent raided the fishing aisle at walmart and found something you can use instead of a jump ring. It kinda looks like a saftey pin. No idea what it's called. If I can figure out where I put it I'll add it to the comment

[@makersunify]

If you figure out what it's called, let me know. Thanks!

[@taraized]

@makersunify it's called dual lock snaps. They are a bit longer than a jump ring though. The other thing I got were eye pins instead of the stuff you have on the spool.

[@makersunify]

@@taraized thanks for getting back to me! I have also started using 1" eye pins, and SO much better! Goes to show you can keep perfecting your craft with little tweaks!

[@blhoffman3412]

So have you ever used other templates to make suncatcher? like animal prints or cat prints do you have any suggestions on how to wire them together the paw prints?

[@makersunify]

@@blhoffman3412 I have not.

[@reginahudson9909]

I have used split rings and they are just as much of a pain , I don't think there is an easy way . Have you ever used just regular frames , and if you have, how did you finish the back ? Your tutorial was very informative, thank you !

[@makersunify]

I have not tried a regular frame. Thanks for watching!

[@naturenymph51]

Maybe use a mini carabiner clip to attach bead strand to chicken wire. I have a bunch of these from bead strands I bought at Joanns.

[@makersunify]

That would be an easy solutions! Thanks, I'll check that out.

[@naturenymph51]

They call them a lobster clasp. I just ordered some to make a chicken wire sun catcher for my sis.

[@makersunify]

@@naturenymph51 Thanks, I'll have to get some!

[@sharonmcnaney3597]

When u open and close u don’t pull apart u twist side to side and it will close completely

[@BobDeGuerre]

Exactly. Or drop beads onto a headpin, then secure the bead to the chicken wire by forming a loop with the excess headpin length. Jump rings are primarily used to allow jewelry to break in an easily-repairable way if/when it snags. Since this won't be worn, it's fine to skip them. I'd go with 1.75 inch pins, use round-nose pliers to make a big loop on top, and close the loop with flat-nose pliers.

[@makersunify]

Thanks! I'll try that!

[@SandraJeanStroebel]

Great idea!@@BobDeGuerre

[@mariecaldwell4855]

are the beads glass?

[@makersunify]

Yes, I bought mine from Joann's on sale. I believe they are still on sale. www.joann.com/jewelry-making/beads/beads-by-type/glass-beads/

[@gypsysoultoo]

Perhaps just using the wire you use to wire the beads instead of jump rings would be easier. Jump rings are suppose to be opened side ways if that make sense. I admire your patience.

[@makersunify]

Maybe, I'll have to try that. Thanks!

[@JudyAshton]

How did you attach the chicken wire to the embroidery hoop?

[@makersunify]

I was able to fold it over the inside hoop. This hoop is a good size to do this. Not sure you could do with a smaller hoop.

[@valcascagnett2852]

I use the open end straight pins instead of wiring the beads on the craft wire. MUCH easier and takes less time

[@alanatyler2163]

Can you post a picture?

[@valcascagnett2852]

@@alanatyler2163 I don't see how to attach a picture here?

[@lisabergman964]

Just wire is probably cheaper, but I was thinking too that the straight pins would be a lot quicker and easier!!

[@hippiepeacegirl]

Head pins so there is no loop at the bottom. The look like a skinny nail.

[@tracybuchanan4736]

What type beads reflect the sunlight best? I made one but it doesn’t reflect in sunlight😢

[@makersunify]

I use glass beads that are translucent.

[@elizabethmatos7396]

Maybe it might be a little easier if you put them on before you put your chicken wire on the needlepoint wooden thing. It might work.😊

[@lorrainejeskey8467]

Curious to why you cut your wire at 4" but you then cut like a inch off that is then wasted?

[@makersunify]

@@lorrainejeskey8467 when I first started making these, that’s how I learned to make. Now I just use 1” eye pins.

[@sharonrozmiarek8758]

Amazon has a jump ring tool that I saw someone else was using it's a ring that goes on your finger don't know exactly how it works

[@carolwalters6469]

I have that ring and didn't know what it was until I finally saw a video. It does help.

[@sylviaayala3605]

Would putting the beads on before you mount your chicken wire in the frame be easier?

[@makersunify]

I think they would get in the way as they would be swinging back and forth. Plus putting the chicken wire on first makes it sturdier and easier to put the beads on.

[@jennifersteacy5957]

Do you sell them? How much are they?

[@makersunify]

Sorry, I do not sell them. I just made this one for myself.

[@carolwalters6469]

I'm in the middle of making my first one and wrapped the edges in jute. That part alone took me 2 hours! I'd like to sell some but not sure what to price it at.

[@marjiliborio3613]

My jump rings fall off so easy! Does anyone know how to keep them from falling off?

[@debbiegibson8945]

I had the same trouble.

[@puertoricanseaglass.]

Hermoso. Por favor no habra el jump ring asi, habralo uno hacia adelante y otro hacia atras y e igual para cerrar. sera mas facil y no perdera la forma.

[@renaesnell8052]

Boy the jump rings are super pain in the butt!

[@dralbertpakin8895]

I have my volume up and can barely hear you.

[@MaryElliott-s2x]

You are opening the jump ring incorrectly. Maybe watch a tutorial for that and that might make it easier for you