DIY Network

Wall Sculpture From "From Junky to Funky" episode DFJF-107

Designers Mike Spatafora and Samantha Gleisten add interest to a wall in the homeowners newly designed room by using wire and fabric to create a funky wall sculpture.

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Mike and Samantha manipulated wire and fabric to form this wall sculpture complete with back lighting.

Materials:

Flexible wire fencing
Clock
Ceiling medallion
Tap lights
Fabric: opaque, sheer
Fabric stiffener
Hot glue
Paint
Foam tape
Metal snips
Hot glue gun
Scissors

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

1. Cut the wire to a desired length for the sculpture. Be sure to over cut at least 18 inches for bending. Find the center by either measuring or counting the wires, and then mark.

   
   

2. Start to manipulate the fencing by bending, squashing and cutting the wires into your desired shape (figure A).

   
   Tip: Try working with the organic bend of the fence rather than forcing the shape.

   
   

3. Once the shape is obtained, lay silk fabric over the frame to get a rough estimate of the shape (figure B).

   
   

4. Mix the fabric stiffener solution (figure C). Use equal parts of stiffener, glue and water until you get a runny consistency.

   
   

5. Soak the fabric in the stiffener solution, and then loosely wring out the excess.

   
   

6. Lay the fabric over the wire frame, stretching, draping and manipulating the fabric to lay gently over the frame (figure D).

   
   

7. Repeat the same steps with a piece of sheer fabric right over the top of the last layer—before it dries.

   
   

8. Let the fabric dry at least 4-6 hours.

   
   

9. Cut the fabric within one inch of the outside frame. Using hot glue, attach the overage to the backside of the sculpture.

   
   

10. Take the hardware out of the clock. Paint the clock and ceiling to match the fabric. Allow to dry.

    
    

11. Place a photo in between the clock and the medallion (figure E), and then glue together to secure in place.

    
    

12. Attach to the middle of the sculpture.

    
    

13. Attach hanging wire to a couple of places on the backside of the sculpture.

    
    

14. Mount the sculpture to the wall using picture-hanging hardware.

    
    

15. Choose 3-5 points behind the sculpture to mount tap lights using foam tape.

Project Expense:

Fencing: Free
Fabric: $75
Clock, lighting: $40

Total: $115