I have an obsession with wire...it ranks right below my madness about metal...I'll pick up any random spool I spy at yard, garage, or estate sales... the more rusted, the better...
Lately I have focused on woven wire...or more specifically, hardware cloth...you know the stuff...comes in rolls, either 1/2" or 1/4" openings...very sturdy and rigid...with a lovely patina since it is usually zinc coated (and I don't know why its called hardware cloth...)
As case would have it, I had a partial roll in the basement...and after I used a bit of it for the flower frog mason jars I made (and thank you apartment therapy for highlighting them here), I was struck with the idea of making baskets...based on the idea of the charming french oyster baskets I found here.
I had graph paper with 1/2" grid, so my pattern was drawn to size...
I cut out my pattern, using a tin snips and a needle nose pliers...you'll notice that on alternating edges, I snipped the wires close while on the opposite side, I left the wires long...my plan was to bend up each side and then hook the longer wires around the flush end...

My second basket demonstrates this technique...after I cut out my pattern, I bent each side of the basket upward, using a metal ruler to get an even line...
and then I bent small hooks on one side of the upright wire that "looped" around the flush wire side...and once it was aligned, I squeezed the loop tight...
With the corners completed, I moved onto the top edge, bending over the snipped tops to form a loop that curled to the inside...for one of the baskets I made, I reversed the loop, and curled it to the outside.
Once the baskets were complete, I added the vintage tags I made to two of the baskets for extra embellishment...
And now they are perfect for organizing desk paraphernalia...
The small square basket is great for odds and ends...
The large "etc." basket is just the right size to hold file folders...
and the "junk" basket...well, holds junk! its size is ideal for corralling jars...I threaded a length of linen twine through the loops on the top edge and attached the "junk" tag on the end...
There's a few things I learned in the process...wearing gloves might be advised...the cut edges of the wire are SHARP...
And don't get too carried away with making your loops perfect...bending the wire back and forth weakens it...and if you bend too far or too often, the wire breaks off...
Impressive as always! I've used such wire in my assemblages...and for keeping rabbits out of my garden...but nothing like this!! Love your images...always, always wonderful!
ReplyDeleteInspirational! Everything you do turns out so well.
ReplyDeleteAmy, these are awesome! I've never thought about making my own baskets...yours look great!
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero. I have been scouring for weeks looking for the perfect wire baskets, it never occurred to me to make them. Looks like I'm visiting the hardware store tomorrow! Thank You!
ReplyDeleteYour such a clever one Amy! These are fantastic! Can't wait to see you Friday night, I'm bringing you some treats I've acquired on my travels....Michelle
ReplyDeleteThose are so neat! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm adding making wire baskets to my long, and growing longer by the minute, list of things to make.
ReplyDeletethat is just brilliant!!! I stand in awe !!!
ReplyDeleteGREAT idea! So creative!
ReplyDelete~Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane
Fantastic tutorial! Those locker style baskets made in the same manner and same wire will often run $25.00 and up here, now you will have me hunting farm sales for wire, LOL!
ReplyDeleteSweet use of that wire. As an mom to a family of duckie girls I know how sharp that stuff is, casual loops make if really more interesting anyway. Love the tags, especially ETC.....xox
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! I have never thought of making my own...thanks for sharing how you did these.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Linda
Look how clever YOU are!! WOW! I have been wanting some wire baskets for my kids room and just haven't found what I've wanted. Thank you for the wonderful idea!!
ReplyDeletelooks so good and easy.ang
ReplyDeleteThese are great!! Do they take a long time????
ReplyDeleteblessings
barb
Oh, wow! I am in love with these baskets. So glad you shared the tutorial!! I will be pinning this. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteSharon
I stumbled on your blog via pinterest. I just bought a roll because I want to make a large trash bin for my recycles...and blog about it...however I was very unsuccessful at making anything circular that was remotely photographable. Then I tried a cloche...again...circular was extremely challenging. So, I am now so very inspired to just keep it simple and make a basket...which I can never get enough of...
ReplyDeleteIf you can come up with a way to make circular things...please post!! -aimee {new follower}
brilliant! THanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously BRILLIANT!!! I love wire baskets but they're SO expensive & never quite the right size...your genius idea solves both those problems in one fell swoop. Off to the hardware store to buy some of the hardware "cloth" this weekend. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeletethanks Donna - so glad that I inspired you!
DeleteI'm completely amazed...Brilliant!!!
DeleteThis is the tutorial I've been look for for ages. Can't wait to make wire baskets like yours. Thanks so much Amy!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great idea! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteVery creative! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome idea! Thank you for sharing. I have never seen or heard of hardware cloth before. So cool!
ReplyDeleteLaura - you can easily find hardware cloth in the garden section of your hardware store - look for it - and have some fun!
DeleteI found this post on Pinterest and loved it so I used in it my top 5. Hope you don't mind. You can see it here Top 5: wire baskets
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Genius!!! Love it! These would be a glorious addition to our farmers' market table.
ReplyDeleteLeslie @ www.bigcraftyblog.blogspot.com
I can't wait to try this out--I think I've got some "hardware" cloth in the garage, but it's about 10 degrees right now, so it'll have to wait. But not long! Thanks for the tutorial; I love your blog :)
ReplyDeleteyou are most welcome Diana for the tutorial - glad I can inspire others! hoping it warms up wherever you are and you can get to work on your baskets soon!
Deleteso excited to try this - I have a multi-cubby shelving unit in my studio & have searched for years for the right size boxes or baskets.. I think you may have solved my problem - thanks!
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely. Do you happen to have any tips on how to straighten the rolled mesh. My baskets turned out pretty but quite twisted.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea!! I am doing this asap. I have often looked at the wire baskets available in the stores. But I would rather make it myself. I love how easy your tutorial makes this project. I will be sharing this on Pinterest and Facebook. Thank you from your newest fan!
ReplyDeleteThis has got to be one of the best tutorials I have seen in a long time. I love the look of the wired vintage baskets and I cannot wait to try this myself, You make it so simple and dare I say easy? Thank you, for this brilliant idea. I will be sharing this on Pinterest and Facebook. I am your newest fan!
ReplyDeleteI used your tutorial to help me with a baby proofing dilemma!
ReplyDeletehttp://pinterest.com/pin/60446819973607453/
I had a dilemma...baby on the loose and nowhere to move my "liquor stash" - with your help I have the best of both worlds! http://pinterest.com/pin/60446819973607453/
ReplyDeleteHyper joli! J'adore l'esprit industrielle/rétro... Merci pour cette idée :)
ReplyDeleteI love these! I have the 1/4" hardware cloth but I will be on the lookout for the 1/2" next! Thanks for the great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Wire cloth, also known as wire mesh, is an incredibly versatile product consisting of a
ReplyDeletegrid of individual wires that have been woven into a right-angled pattern (over and
under each other at 90 degree angles) through weaving. Woven wire cloth consists of wires that are formed into a weave pattern, with a variety of different
crimping patterns available for the interlocking segments. Wire cloth products can be manufactured from almost any metal. In many cases, a specific metal is
chosen as the preferred medium due to higher conductivity, tensile strength, or corrosion-resistance.
Would this basket be sturdy enough to carry a bunch of fruit around? Or would the weight of the fruit bend the wire?
ReplyDeleteDid you make your tags too or buy them? If you made them, could you please share how?
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I made them...rub on letters onto old poker chips
DeleteI really love your baskets. Great ideas!
ReplyDeleteDo you have any ideas that I could use the white wire flower bed border for?
I have a lot of it and we are not using any longer.
I really don't want to just put it in the trash.
Thank you for the help.
The only hardware cloth I can find is galvanized. Do you know where to get some with a patina?
ReplyDeleteAmy, What a treat to find you featured in the Uppercase magazine newsletter! The tutorial is clear and easy to follow - you are a gifted teacher. And the idea itself is perfectly inline with your unique approach to combining beauty with function! Congratulations! Off to give this project a try!
ReplyDeleteI've seen lots of DIY projects but this has to be one of the best! Who knew a wire basket could be so easy? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI cringed to see these wire baskets that, though lovely, will scratch the living daylights out of wood furniture, particularly if filled with heavy items and moved the slightest. Would stick with using them on tile or laminate surfaces and be very careful even then. I've worked a lot with hardware cloth in tending to my ducks and hens. It is not particularly indoor-friendly.
ReplyDeleteI have worked a good bit with hardware cloth in constructing living areas for my hens and ducks. I cringed at the sight of these otherwise lovely baskets on that wood furniture. Particularly when laden with heavy items these baskets would scratch the living daylights out of fine furniture and certainly your older, nicer wood surfaces as well unless one is careful with every movement of them up from and back upon such surfaces. Advise they be used on more durable surfaces such as a tile countertop.
ReplyDeleteAs I look over this, I can see a lid easily added, ribbons, rope, and liners....I'm making silverware wind chimes...a handmade basket to hold it all ....my mind is a Twitter with ideas...thank you.
ReplyDelete