Things You\’ll Need
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Metal wire, 16- to 18-gauge
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Tape measure
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Wire cutters
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Metal wire, 22-gauge
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Wine bottle
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Metal-link garden fence, 24-inch to 36-inch tall
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Metal wire, 10- to 12-gauge
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Wire cutters
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2 wood blocks
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Leather gloves
Use your metal arch as a wedding decoration or to decorate your garden. Image Credit: Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
Metal wire is not only useful for home improvement but also makes an excellent material for crafters. Metal wire can be used to make jewelry, art work and miniature objects, as well as large-scale ornaments such as statues and garden decorations. Whether you are looking to make a small-scale wire arch or a large-scale garden arch, you can do this with rolled metal wire or wire fencing.
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Small Scale
Step 1
Measure the length of your wire arch from one end to the other. Multiply this by 2 and cut of two wires of that length.
Step 2
Twist the two wires together along their entire length.
Step 3
Repeat steps 1 and 2, two to four times depending on how wide you like your arch to be.
Step 4
Place the twisted wires on the table next to each other. Use a 22-gauge wire to weave the wires together. Weave the 22-gauge wire around the twisted wires along their entire length to form a wire plate.
Step 5
Grasp the wire plate from both ends and place over a wine bottle or other round object. Bend the wire plate downward from both ends, around the bottle, to form the arch.
Large Scale
Step 1
Measure the length of the arch from one end to the other and cut a same-length section of the metal fencing.
Step 2
Attach a 24- or 36-inch, depending on the height of the fencing you are using, wood block to both ends of the fending. Use the 10-gauge metal wire to attach the wood blocks to the fence. Use strong leather gloves to protect your hands. Optionally, drill four to six holes through the wood blocks and pull the wire through the holes as you wrap it around the fence and the wood blocks. This will ensure the block is attached securely.
Step 3
Place the wood blocks on the ground, bend the fencing from the middle, and lift the structure from the ground to form an arch. Optionally, weave the metal wire around the fencing to reinforce it.
Step 4
Decorate your arch with flowers, fabrics or Christmas lights. You also can plant an ivy or other climbing plant to the base and let the plant decorate the arch as it grows.
Tip
Buy metal wire from your local craft or home improvement store or online. Wires are sold by gauge, indicating the thickness of the wire; the smaller the gauge, the thicker the wire. For example an 18-gauge wire is much thicker than the 22-gauge wire. Depending on the purpose of your wire arch, you may consider using 16- or 18-gauge wire.
Choose the metal wire based on the purpose of your wire arch. Galvanized steel wire is very strong but also harder to handle. Brass, copper and aluminum wires are easier to bend and work with, but may be too soft for your purpose.