How to Make a Mobile - Creating Jump Rings
Almost every week, I get emails from would-be mobilists who are thirsty to learn the ins and outs of mobile making. I love hearing from you, and I answer as many of your
"How do I do this" or "How do you do that?"
questions as I can.
One particular
question keeps coming up:
"When are you going to create a comprehensive, start-to-finish "How to Make a Mobile" video, Mark?"
Well, today is not the day. Butand, in the coming days, I'll be posting a series of
1-minute mobile-making tip videos
(none of which will likely be only one minute) to help you get started.
You can watch the videos here or on my
Mark Leary Designs YouTube Channel
. Pssst, subscribe to my channel to get notified when I post new how-to videos.
Each of the videos contains
step-by-step "instructions"
around an aspect of mobile making - ranging from how to stop your metal from puckering, how to finish the ends of your wires, how to lay down a perfect coat of paint, and so on.
I'll also be talking about what tools I use, where to find inexpensive materials, and other tips to
help you find your way
.
As you'll discover, my hairy arms and I are not professional cinematographers; but hopefully you'll find the tips helpful (and fun) as you try your hand at making mobiles.
In the first video, you'll
learn how to make your own jump rings
. Jump rings are those little circle-y things that you can use to connect each of the arms of your mobile. They allow each arm of a mobile to spin more freely.
You can certainly buy jump rings at big box stores like Home Depot or Michael's, but I like to make my own. Am I just a glutton for mobile-making minutia or is there a good reason to make your own rings?
Um, maybe both?!
But seriously, I like to make my own jump rings because it allows me to match the type and gauge of my jump rings to the whatever wire I'm using for any given mobile.
Watch the video to see how quick and easy it is to make your very own jump rings. Then,
with your forays into mobile making!
Cheers and keep on making art that moves you!
Got a mobile-making question?
Feel free to
, then keep tuned to see your questions answered here.