Creating Mobiles

Have you ever wondered how someone could hang a bunch of objects on wires or sticks and get them to magically balance? Have you ever been in awe of the simultaneous size and lightness of a giant Alexander Calder mobile? Well, there are some fundamental techniques and secrets that aren’t evident until you try to create a mobile of your own, and we’d love to share them with you!

The instructor has been making mobiles for years, and will share with you how to successfully make mobiles out of any objects: beads, toys, rocks, leaves, origami, car parts…anything. You will see examples of his, and other people’s mobiles, and learn the secrets of why they work. You’ll learn techniques for bending wire to form the structure of your piece using simple hand tools. You’ll see easy ways to find the balance points and how to assemble the pieces. You’ll learn what to use for basic parts, and where you can find/buy them. You’ll also learn about the subtle differences that distinguish a good mobile from a poor one. And you’ll build a small “desktop mobile” to take home.

We’ll peel away some of the mysteries of mobiles, so that you can create your own unique works and explore this semi-obscure art form.

Registration Includes

Registration includes all instruction and basic materials to practice and build a small mobile from your own objects, or from objects supplied by the instructor. The needed tools for the class project will be provided. You will go home with a small mobile to hang in your favorite spot, plus a packet of instructions, illustrations, and resources for you to continue to explore the possibilities of mobile construction

What goes into our class pricing? As a local nonprofit, Duluth Folk School is committed to supporting both our instructors and community. We want to compensate our instructors fairly, keep class sizes small, and keep our doors open—while also keeping prices as low as we can.

Thank you for participating in our local handcraft and education economy! Together, we help keep Duluth a fun and vibrant place.

Student Requirements

• Skill Level/Prerequisite Skills: This class is for anyone
• Best for Ages: 13 and older
• You should bring: The instructor will have a selection of objects to hang on your mobiles, but you may bring 5 small objects of your own if so inclined. If you bring your own objects, they should each be smaller than a golf ball, and all the objects should be approximately similar to each other in weight. The instructor may suggest other objects if yours end up being too difficult to work with.

Basic hand tools for the class will be provided and shared by students. If you have any of the following tools of your own that you’d like to bring to use, that is certainly acceptable: Needle nose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, jewelry pliers, cordless drill and small drill bits (1/16”-1/8”), felt-tip marker(s)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.