Skeleton Tutorial

HALLOWEEN 
... is hovering in the dark corners with the
spiders and ghouls. The witches hats and
brooms and lots and lots of green slime and
red goo!

I am always amazed how super-charged and media-driven it has
become with consumers, spending massive amounts of money on
costumes and related merchandise!

It's just an excuse for a dressing up party and if you're a creative
soul, the cost should be minimal, as you can make your own costumes,
create your own decorations and bake your own delicious pumpkin pies!

I hope you like my SKELETON TUTORIAL
(although, not for the faint hearted!). It can
be scaled up or down, as a decoration, pendant
or, make 2 as a pair of shoulder-dusting earrings!

STEP 1 (SHOULDERS)

For a small decoration, cut approximately
3"(7.5cm) of 0.8mm or 1mm wire. Place your
round nosed pliers at the centre of the
length and cross the wires over on each side,
to form the central loop. Curl each of the
ends (in towards each other)on each side.

STEP 2 (ARMS)

Cut 2 x 1.5" (4cm) and 2 x 2.5" (6.5cm)
lengths of wire. Straighten them out and
using your round nosed pliers, create loops
on each side on the shorter lengths and a
link and spiral (for the hands) on the
longer units.

STEP 3 (HIPS)

Cut approximately 2.5" (6.5cm) of wire and 
create a similar unit to Step 1.  You can choose 
to have the side loops curling in, or outwardly,
it's your choice!

STEP 4 (LEGS)

Follow the same method as Step 2,
I used about 2" (5cm) x 2 of wire for the 
upper part of the legs and 3" (7.5cm) for 
the lower part with spiral feet. 

STEP 5 (TORSO - 1)

Make a large spiral (about 1" across)
and cut from the spool, leaving a projecting 
tail of about 1.5" (4cm).

STEP 6 (TORSO - 2)

Using your round nosed pliers, create a
loop at the end of the projecting wire
and then continue to curl the wire into
a spiral (in the opposite direction to
the main coil). It's just like making a
bead cage!

STEP 7 (TORSO - 3)

Fold the top small spiral over the larger
one (aligning the centres) and stretch the
coils out to form the ribbed torso!

STEP 8 (HEAD - 1)

Create a tight spiral and once it is
the size desired for the head of your
skeleton, create a link with your round
nosed pliers.

STEP 9 (HEAD - 2)

Cut the wire from the spool, but leave 
enough to bring around the side of your
spiral and to make a second link, 
opposite the top one in Step 8.

STEP 10

Assemble and connect your skeleton in
any order you like ... I started by
attaching the upper arms (Step 2) 
together and onto each side link of
the shoulders (Step 1).

STEP 11 

Now, attach the head (Steps 8-9) to the 
central link of the shoulder unit (Step 1).

STEP 12 (BACK BONE)

Cut a length of wire and thread this
through the centre of the spiralled
torso, creating a loop with your round
nosed pliers at the top and base of the
torso (Steps 5/6/7)

STEP 13

Connect the legs (Step 4) together and
attach to the outer loops of the hips
(Step 3). Now attach to the base loop of
the torso.

STEP 14

And you're there! Attach the top part of
your skeleton to the base and your skeleton
will start to dance!

For a final finish, you can glue on some
flat back diamante 'eyes' and some tiny
pearl seed bead 'teeth'. Or, use some paint
and a fine brush, to paint on a skull face!

There are plenty more decorations you can create out of
wire ... here are a few more that I created to inspire you:

 

HAPPY WIREWORKING!

... I'm off, on my broomstick ...