Barbwire is a symbol of ranching in Montana. The sharp tines wire keeps beasts in their pastures. Not everyone appreciates fencing the land, but Free Range is impossible to manage. There is a way to give Barbwire new life.
Ranchers clear old wire and hang it on their fence posts. Some wire is decades old. Barbwire can take on many different patterns. Almost all barbwires are rusty and still sharp. If you stop by an old ranch, I am sure that the rancher will give you all the wire you need.
One of my Montana Grant Craft projects is using old, barbed wire for different crafts. Giving gifts that you make is always fun and so thoughtful. Almost anything can be turned into a fun craft.
Before you even think about using old, barbed wire to bend into some design, get a great pair of canvas gloves and some eye protection. My barbwire came from the Yellowstone River. Flooded fenceposts ended up water bound. Removing old wire makes fishing better and removes hazards from the river. I don’t know how anyone that works with barbed wire has vision and no scars.
You can find lots of Barbwire craft ideas online. Crafty folks post their creativity. I have made barbwire into hearts, fish, wreaths, and stars. As prickly as barbs can be, the wire also has a distinctive look and character. Using the wire for a western flare craft can be creative and fun.
To make a special design, using wire, you need a flat board and a lot of nails. Draw the design onto the flat board and hammer plenty of nails to use to hold the wire as you bend it into shape. A pair of needle nose and regular pliers help hold and maneuver the wire. This is how I bent wire into shapes of fish.
Barbwire crafts will draw blood. Even with gloves, the wire tends to flip and stab the crafter. Oh well. Just hand on and forge ahead.
I am making a new wire Holiday gift for Montana Lin. This Christmas gift is a star. I cut the wire into straight pieces 20 inches long. Two wire sections per star frame are perfect. To hold the wire together, I used softer wire tie material. It’s easy to hold and bend. A vise will hold things together until you are ready to connect the lengths.
In the center of the barbwire start, I placed an old horseshoe that I found when hunting. I drilled out the old nails and used the wire to center the shoe inside the star. Using some twine covers the wire connections and adds some crafty flare.
Hopefully, Montana Lin will appreciate the effort and blood needed to make her unique craft.
Recycle, repurpose, and reuse!
Montana Grant
