Creative Impressions In Clay :: ClayButtons.com Blog

A decorative hook that can be used to hang many things. Using copper looks great and it’s inexpensive.

Start with 4″ piece of 18 gauge copper wire.
I picked a spool up at Ace Hardware.
Don’t try to straighten the wire too much, you will put kinks in the wire that you can’t get out.

With the curve of the wire facing away from you, use your round nose pliers to make a small loop at the end of the wire.
Always roll your wire away from your body.

Using the handle of a large paintbrush, about 1/2″ up the loop end of the wire bend the wire over handle.
Do this by smoothing the wire as you bend it. Bring the wire slightly under the handle and begin curving the other end to form an “S”.

Begin making the coil on the end by using the large end of your round nose pliers to create an open loop.

Complete the coil by rolling it upwards towards the top of the hook with your fingers.

I like my hooks hammered. Use a hammer and a striking plate to hammer the small loop and coil.

Completed Hook.

Combining your hook and ornament

Cut 10″ of sheer ribbon. I get mine at Michaels. To give the ornament and ribbon a nice finished look and to keep the ribbon from doing the annoying split, I slide a 10mm glass donut over the ribbon. Fire Mountain Gems has a great selection. The clear glass donuts go best with all ornaments.

Don’t forget to add your artist tag so everyone knows they have a hand crafted item by you.
This one is 1″ x 1″

Tie the ribbon onto the bottom of the hook using an overhand knot.
This keeps your ornament and hook together and secure.

You have beautiful finished product with a handmade copper hook.
Colored wire works wonderful also.
Just don’t hammer it. That would ruin the finish.
18 gauge wire will hold most ornaments.
The heftier your ornament the thicker your wire needs to be.