Getting Loopy with Hanging Art Mobile-maker Mark Leary (www.marklearydesigns.com)

I was recently asked if I could make video that shows how to make the perfect connecting loop at the balance point of a mobile arm. Um, "perfect" may be a s-t-r-e-t-c-h, but it's a twist in the right direction.

You can see more of my work online and in person at:

[marklearydesigns]

Hi Joan, Thanks! The wire ranges from 12-18 gauge, galvanized steel. I usually use the readily-available OOK brand (can be found at any big box home improvement store). As I'm sure you know, the smaller the gauge, the bigger the wire. I use 12 for my longer arms/bigger blades and 18 for very delicate work; 14-16 are my go-tos for most of my mobile arms. Have a blast!

[teresasnider]

Not only are you talented and have a nice a comedian. What more could anyone want?

[kellyanne]

Finally, some practical info. Thank you so much!

[adch]

I am using the 7" Circle Cut Tinner Snips from Harbor Freight. They work really well at cutting out curvy shapes. I'll give the 30 gauge sheets a try. Thanks for sharing your tips!

[jtbmetaldesigns]

This is most helpful! I want to make mobiles out of scrap aluminum sheet and plexiglass sheet scrap materials. Purchased some 16 gauge galvanized wire and I roughly cut out some acrylic plexiglass shapes. Hopefully, I’ll be able to build my first mobile soon

[heidiconroy]

Super good demo! Thanks for the easy-to-follow tutorial.

[MKB]

Oh I am so glad I found this video. Thanks so much!!

[ellen]

Hi Mark! I asked someone on Etsy before checking on youtube, and she told me to get 1/8" aluminum welding rod. I hope it ends up working! I'm going to try to duplicate one I lost years ago that was from the 60s. It didn't have any stationary pieces like the ones on the ends of these, but hanging circles with hanging crescent moons inside each circle. I can only find one picture of it to go by, so the rest will be by memory. But this sure helps! I had wondered if I was supposed to start with the bottom piece and work up from there, and apparently that's how to do it!

[karenbartlett]

Thank you Mark, this made me laugh! I was looking for videos to show kids how to make mobiles, I hope they find your extra comments as funny as I do!

[jenniferprocter]

Hi Mark, thanks for these videos! I have a request, would you please give us some tips on how to straighten to wire when it comes off the coil? when I try to straighten it, it tends to not to be so elegant and bends in multiple directions. Thank you

[GK-ecdf]

HI Mark, I found a roll of OOK 16 gauge but when I unroll it, the roll is so tight, I can't get it to gently curve. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[rosaliebarrington]

Funny and informational...luv it! Thanks for sharing!!!

[derekpercy]

Thank you so much for sharing - Brilliant!

[adch]

Thank you so much for posting this! I made my first mobile using your tutorial on bending loops. What gauge metal do you make your blades with? I used 28 gauge galvanized steel from Home Depot and it was a bit difficult to work with. Do you use flashing for your blades?

[joangem]

What gauge of wire do you use? Can I find it in the hardware store? Thanks for the video, I'm looking forward to more.

[kenpalosi]

I am able to make the bends alright using your instructions but I do have a question. When I make the bend using the balance point at the center of my piece of wire I find that the finished loop is off center by maybe 3/4 of an inch. Is there a trick to getting the loop exactly in the center of the piece? The only thing I can think of is to cut the wire longer than I actually want and then trim one end to get the loop in the center. Any help would be appreciated.

[brennadavis]

This was straight to the point and exactly what I was hoping to learn about making my wire look more professional for my mobiles. What gauge wire do you recommend? Thank You!!!

[TinyforestSoup]

What is the best wire for mobile? What gause? Thanks so much!

[ldpaula]

I love your videos and I'm using it for a project right now. A question: my wires haven't been as professional as i expected and the look hasn't been as professional because of it. What can I do for to solve it? Thank you!

[Alexandra-kscb]

So curious why this method doesn't throw off the balance. Youd think bending both sides equally would be the thing but its just looping one arm?! I have aa hars time finding perdect balance and readjust often 🙃