Wire Spiders

Spiders, spiders….everywhere!  Black wire and seed beads for eyes will be all you need for making these spiders, you will have a jar full in no time!  If your children want to help make spiders, let them use black pipe cleaners, pony bead eyes and follow the same directions!

pipe cleaner spider

Materials:

• Black 26 gauge wire (I found at Jo Ann’s)
• Seed beads: red, yellow, orange
• Wire cutters or scissors
• Optional: for kids black pipe cleaners, for eyes pony beads (or any type of bead)

Directions:

I’m using 26 gauge wire, because it is so easy to work with.

Cut a piece of wire about 18″ long, slide seed bead (eye) onto wire, about 2″ in and twist wire to hold bead in place.

Add another bead eye and twist to hold in place.

Now start forming the body (any shape), with the shorter wire, bend around with your fingers making a circle/oval shape, now bend the longer end around one or two times.

Now  start wrapping the wire around and around, going  in different directions around the body.  You want to pinch down every once in a while to keep your spider body flat.  If you have too much wire, cut off what you do not want, or add more wire if needed.

I just pushed the end of the wire into the body.  Fun right!  Any size or shape is going to work, that’s what makes this so fun, you can’t go wrong!

For the legs,  cut 4 piece of wire about 6” to 8” long (better to have them too long than too short) and one piece 8′ to 10″ long (this wire is for attaching body to legs).

Wrap the longer wire around all 4 legs wires, twist the wire to hold.  Now wrap the wire through center of legs, 2 in front and 2 in back on each side… see picture below.

Now to attach the body, we are going to use the same piece of wire (not a leg).  Lay the body on top and wrap the wire around, and around the body.

All you have to do is shape the legs, if they are too long or not all the same length cut them.

Since the spiders are made from wire, it is so easy to gently bend a leg to hold them on to branches, or gently push a leg or two into a candle, or cover a pumpkin with spiders.  If you are like me they will be everywhere!

If your children love the idea of spiders everywhere, let them make spiders from black pipe cleaners which are easier for children to handle!  They could use orange, red, or yellow pony beads or, depending on the age they might need your help, with cutting the pipe cleaners.

I used 3mm size pipe cleaner (they are not as fluffy), you will find them at any craft store.  I used a total of 6 for one spider, 4 for the legs, 1 the for body, and 1 to attach legs to body, and 2 pony beads for eyes!

Enjoy your spiders!