Wire Mesh Purse

Materials

Amaco WireForm black mesh
Amaco 1/8" soft aluminum modeling (armature) wire
Amaco 24-gauge black and silver wire
chip board or heavy cardboard
black nylon cord
black heavy thread or floss
black acrylic paint
acrylic sealer
paint brush
sewing needle
scissor
large beads
1/16" hole punch
round-nose pliers
ruler or tape measure
pencil

1. Draw two ovals onto chip board and mark places for holes around the edge, about 1/8 inch from the edge.

2. Cut out the ovals. Punch holes in the places you marked (figure A).

3. Paint and seal oval chipboard pieces.

4. Cut mesh pieces. The purse body is 6"x 6" and the purse flap is 2-3/4"x 6".

5. Form the mesh body around one oval and stitch together with double thread using an overhand stitch (figure B). Repeat with second oval.

6. Cut five 8-inch lengths of modeling wire. Using round-nose pliers, form into two "S" shapes and three heart shapes (figure C).

7. Using black wire, attach a modeling wire heart to each of the ovals (figure D).

8. Arrange and attach the two "S" shapes to the remaining heart by wrapping with silver wire. Attach with wire along purse flap (figure E).

9. Cut a 36-inch length of black wire and create a spiral hinge by wrapping wire around a 1/4-inch rod (figure F).

10. Attach the purse flap to the body with the spiral hinge (figure G).

11. Cut a 72-inch length of black cord and knot ends together. Lace on beads (figure H).

12. Attach cord to hearts on sides of purse (figure I).

13. Glue beads into place along cord (figure J).