Queen of the Coop

 

Chicken wire has been a part of my life for the last 10 years. It has always had a practical use; keeping my chickens in and the vermin out. As I watched other bloggers and fellow artist start whipping up creations using this unforgiving wire as a base, I never had any inclination to create anything other than coops out of it.

 Recently I went to a garage sale and there was a roll of brand new chicken wire for 50 cents. I couldn’t pass it up.

 Chicken Wire Project #1

A chicken wire crown.

 

I wanted to create something totally opposite from what the wire actually is; stiff, rugged and utilitarian.

  I started by cutting the wire to the size I wanted using my own noggin as a muse. Then, using wire cutters and pliers I wired it together to form the circle.

As usually happens when I create without a plan, the crown started taking on it’s own form and quickly began looking more like a hat than a crown.

I used Duponi off white silk fabric to cover the wire and then wired rose petals to the base. Vintage 2” seam binding creates the bow and paper hydrangeas in vintage white and pink. I glittered a clothespin and made a Paris tag for color.

I added a beautiful brooch that I picked up at an antique store in Savannah.

I finished it off by taking old dress patterns tissue and crumbling it which gave it a soft ethereal feel. I then wove it in and out of the top like ribbon.

Chicken Wire Project #2

 A chicken wire cloche.

I have wanted to make this for a while. So keeping with my color theme I created the cloche in the same soft colors.

I created the cloche using a glass one the same size as a model. I actually wrapped it around it’s glass counterpart to get the shape right and starting clipping away any excess wire.  I used the same vintage binding and rose petals for the base of the cloche.

I used a vintage curtain clip for the finial and wired a few hydrangeas to the top.

It seemed like the perfect place to hang some tags using the glittered clothespins I have been making and one of my 1920’s vintage wedding toppers.

I actually love these two pieces and I think I am going to keep them on display in my craft room for a while.  Chicken wire never looked so glamorous.

Now I am hooked and can’t wait to create more wonderful “pretty Little Things” with mu 50 cent roll of chicken wire.

Any suggestions?

Comments

[Shelley Overholt]

Love the crown and have been wanting to do one for awhile now!!! I am crazy about your cloche!! It is so amazing!

[Carrie]

That hat is a winner - love it. Make a matching one for your hen friend, she would be so stylish :)