24 Jan, 2022
I find it motivating to have recent sketches and painting out where I can see them.
Most of my work is in sketchbooks - out of sight, out of mind. But, when I started the 30 Faces in 30 Days Class with Sktchy.com I started propping the 9x12 sketches up on my big easel. I really liked seeing them every day when I came into the studio and had the idea of using one wall of the studio to hang recent work.
A DIY Picture Hanging System!
I knew I wanted the system to be flexible as I would be swapping work in and out and working in different mediums and sizes. I knew that it wouldn't need to support a lot of weight - I work almost exclusively on paper and even if I temporarily put the work in show-packs (mat, foam backing and a plasticene bag), each work would be very light.
After some internet research I had an idea for design; after some time on Amazon, I had most of the materials. I was going to install a picture rail, from which would hang wire with adjustable clips for the art.
I went to Lowe's and bought some chair rail molding (AKA picture rail molding) that has a curve at the top that will hold a hook. While I was priming and painting the rail, other supplies arrived via Amazon. Unfortunately, almost nothing is ever open stock, so I have WAY more supplies than I need!
For instance, the picture wire (1.5mm vinyl covered stranded stainless steel) only came in a roll of 98 feet - I only needed about 22 feet.
I also got a box of Molding Hooks (20; I needed 7), a bag of 18 adjustable art gallery wire rope hanger hooks (I used 11), and, because I wasn't hanging framed art that could be hung on a hook, I needed some transition thingee to switch between a hook and some type of clip. I found some shower curtain clips that would hang on the gallery hooks and had little clips that would fit nicely and hold the weight of my sketches.
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| Shower curtain clips, art gallery wire rope hooks, molding hooks, and the picture wire |
The wire had to be looped through tiny aluminum holders and then crimped. They say that you can crimp these little holders with a pair of pliers - but, I remember from my days of putting together solar panel systems for my Travel Trailer that getting a good crimp requires more hand strength than I have. So, either use a hammer, or a big pair of vice grips to get some extra leverage.
This is when I ran into my first major problem (there are always a couple in every DIY project!). None of the tools that I had and used successfully to cut all sorts of much thicker wire even dented this stuff! Despite the instructions, that indicated that any wire cutter would work just fine.
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| I tried pliers, 2 different wire cutters, tin snips, and heavy duty lineman wire cutters |
Finally, and out another $20, I found these extra-heavy duty wire cutters that worked great!
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| The wire with art gallery hook and curtain clip - ready to hang!! |
The finished project!!
I'll probably add 1 more wire to this rail. If I really like this system, I may use the extra material and build one for finished framed work to hang in my living room. For now, I'm loving this and finding it a joy to spend time in my studio!
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| Plenty of room for more inspirational sketches!! |
And what did this all cost??
$12.00 Chengu Vinyl Coated Picture Frame Hanging Wire, Stainless Steel Wire Spool with 20 Pieces Aluminum Crimping Loop Sleeve, Supports up to 110 Lbs (1.5 mm x 98 Feet)
$6.11 3 sets: Amazon Basics Curtain Rod Clip Rings for 1" Rod, Set of 7, Silver Nickel
$20 Hetai Heavy Duty Wire Cutters Steel Cable Cutter Wire Rope Cutter Aircraft Bicycle Cable Cutter,Up To 5/32"
$10.50 eBoot Pack of 20 Moulding Hooks Picture Rail Hooks Hangers, Nickel Plated
$15.00 HAN SHENG 18 Pcs Adjustable Metal Art Gallery Display Wire Rope Hanger Hooks Picture Rail Hooks Hanger System Accessories for 1mm-2mm Wire Rope
$8.00 Lowe's Home Improvement - 8' Picture Rail Molding (AKA chair rail molding)
Primer and Paint - I just used some stuff I already had in the garage.
So, the total spent for this project was just under $85. The cost per unit will go down some if I build out additional units - I won't need to rebuy the cutter, wire, or molding hooks. I will need another picture rail and possibly more of the art gallery adjustable hooks. I won't need any more of the shower clips, since I would be hanging framed art in units in other rooms and they wouldn't need to be clipped - I could just use the adjustable hooks.
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