Budget ornament hooks

[Soggy]

Maybe this has been done and posted on here before, but I haven't been able to find it ; so here goes:
I live in a very rural area so sometimes supplies are difficult to obtain, and since I'm a cheap bugger I try to inprovise whenever possible.
Here's what I have been doing to make hangers for my christmas ornaments.............
1. First photo; I use 20 ga. brass wire that I get at a sporting goods store (it's intended use is for snaring rabbits, but we won't get into that here ), a 3/16" chainsaw file ( a dowel would be just as good), a pair of pliers. I cut the wire into 2-1/2" pieces . This is plenty of length and will allow me to get about 100 hangers per roll of wire = less than .02 each.
2. Next photo; Take a piece of wire and bend it over the file (or dowel) and give it a twist. Then take the pliers and continue twisting until you have the wire completely twisted. Slip it off the file and trim the bottom end with the wire cutting feature on the pliers.
3. Drill a 1/16" hole in the top of the ornament (approx. 1/4" -3/8" deep). Add a drop of wood glue to the twisted part of the wire and insert it into the hole. After the glue has set you can then add a ribbon, or what ever type of attachment you feel looks good

[Kenny_S]

Several carvers uses wire such as you have posted. I have in the past use 26 gage wire and done the same as you described. Great way for sure!

[jmischel]

Thanks for the tip, Soggy. I'll definitely give that one a try next time.

[aulddiy]

A good tip for a mean Scot like me.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I don't know.........the price of a coil of wire maybe more than what I pay for a bag of 100 eyehooks at the hobby shop? Not saying thats right, but I get the hooks very cheap! And no labor involved

[Anthony Filetti]

I actually use floral wire from a hobby shop which is cheap and comes in many colors. The main reason I switched to using this method years ago is that an eye hook can distract from the ornament. It is usually too large and draws the eye away from the carving. The actual strength needed for this application is minimals so really you can use a single strand of some very light gauge wire and also can select a color that blends. These are real easy to make and you can make a lot with a single purchased spool.

[Soggy]

The copper wire costs me $1.49 (that's Canadian so it would be roughly $1.20 U.S. ) The main reason for my using it is that it's available here in the village, whereas the closest hobby shop would be about 50 miles away. If I order on line then there's postage and handling.
Fortunately we also have a flower shop here in the village so I definately will be checking out the coloured florist wire.
Wayne

[Just Carving]

I use 6 lb. test fishing line. Cut off about 6 inches. Use a pin to wiggle a hole in the top of the carving. Put a small bit of crazy glue on the ends. Put the ends on the hole. hold for a short bit of time. Let it set for a while. Hang it up.

Bob L

[Dagwood]

I think Mark has a cool idea i got one of his Famous Santas in Hickory NC show last year he cuts the shank off of fishing hooks an stabs it in the wood i thought this was so cool a started the same thing...