How to Make a Mobile - #1 Thing You Need to Know | Mark Leary Designs

In today's 1-minute video mobile-making tip, you're going to learn the most important thing you need to know to make a mobile.

Yes, it *really* is THAT important.

With this single tip, you’ll find mobile-making success EVEN if you’re not good at mathing, don’t understand physics or engineering, or don’t have good spatial relationships.

Making a mobile does NOT have to be difficult, and this is the best first step you can take to making sure your mobile making experience is fun and enjoyable.

Cheers and keep on making art that moves!

Got a mobile-making question? Feel free to shoot me a message, then keep tuned to see your questions answered here.

[Alexandra-kscb]

I feel like this was the way I learned to make mobiles in school as a little child. And then I forgot over the years. Thanks so much for the sensible reminder!

[superbear]

Your advice is excellent. However (you knew that was coming!), I built a large mobile "top down" by using sliding hooks on the arms. This allowed me to avoid putting the arms on, taking them off, etc. When I had the arms balanced where I wanted, I replaced the sliders with permanent hooks (eye bolts). The arms had an open end, so sliders worked well. The last arm did not have an open end, but I simply balanced it before mounting it. (Sliders could be designed to attach to the arms without sliding them on an end, of course).

[RachelRiner]

Yessss that was great advice thank you

[sarahohHEY]

I like this video best based on the captions added. Too funny.

[slunali]

Hey Mark, thank you so much for this super helpful video! Which kind of wire do you use? Best regards Katinka

[tomconway]

What a huge tip; thank you so much. Very clear and helpful instructions

[jrhodes]

That was rather fascinating and educational! The side commentary made it even better! Subscribed!

[karenoldenburg]

Thanks a lot for this very helpful advice! We are going to make an art project with pupils creating a very large mobile with light elements like paper etc. Could you recommand a type of wire? aluminium, steel, how thick? We ant to be able to male these nooses like you do in the video, so very easy with simple tools.

[ireallyloveviola]

Omg thank you so much. I want to make a mobile but then I was imagining, top to bottom, then I was like how on earth do I balance the thing? And a lot of people on internet said that they would just try to hang the next one and adjust the weight of the object, and I was like that’s too hard! Thank you SO MUCH. ❤

[elenaholzemer]

How would you proceed though in switching direction of the arms of the mobile? So you could have different sections of the mobile in free motion...I don't feel like I'm being clear with my question but hopefully that makes sense.

[Sofia-pbys]

Thanks for the illustration!
Does the weight of the things that would be hang on it change the balance points? What if I want to hang shapes made with clay? Have you worked with music wire ? I’ve seen mobiles built by artist that use music wire. Do you know what difference does it make?

[colleenmckenzie]

Interesting. When finding the balance point, do I put the items (not sure what to call them? Lol) on first? Thx 😊

[ShilohSophiaMcCloud]

Mark this is awesome. How is it different to do one hanging from the ceiling? This one looks like it is on a stand?

[flordeification]

Hi, your videos are really fun to look at and you already gave more tips than I thought I would get. Thanks for taking the time to make the tutorials

[Jerbob]

Where do you get that wire? It looks shiny. Is it stainless steel? Thanks very much.

[Hollysuzette]

Ok, every time I even think about making a mobile, it won't balance because of my top-down thinking. Thanks so much!

[GordanNia]

Hi Mark, what kind of wire is it? Iron, copper, can it be soldered? Thnx!

[wigglypaw]

Mark, if I am adding figures along the various wires going up, how do I balance these? I am going crazy. Did you show in one of your videos, a wire clamp spiral thing at the center balance points to prevent the rods from moving and losing balance. I cannot find those anywhere. And…… I have already figured out the 360* swivels, but I realized I need the ball bearing ones. I am fretting, fussing with my multi level spinning ice skaters and they fall all the time and the rods shift. Please help!nthanks!

[TheKimeinhorn]

Thank you for this video. Very helpful. What kind of wire did you use? I need something like this. Thanks!

[cecilbuddy]

I have a mobile, and one of the pieces or arms got disconnected. I cannot figure out where to reattach it so the whole thing balances. It's driving me crazy. Any ideas?