Are triangles still cool? I hope so, because I’m not over them. When I came across a copper triangle mobile the other day, I knew I had to make my own. But I was surprised by just how much I like it. It’s pretty mesmerizing to watch it make new shapes as it spins around–now I know why people use them to hypnotize their babies to sleep! I put a little video of it spinning on Instagram here, if you want to see it.

You can hang this either indoors or out, and since I left mine unsealed and plan to keep it outside, I’m looking forward to seeing how the patina on it develops over time.

Even if you only have yourself to hypnotize, this is a quick, easy project with a fun outcome!

DIY Copper Triangle Mobile

Materials

1/8″ copper tubing, 72″ total
Florists wire
Clear fishing line or microfilament
Clear spray sealer (optional)

Tools

Tubing cutter
Ruler
Scissors
Marker
Wirecutters (optional, some florists wire includes a cutter)
Needlenose pliers (optional)

Steps

1. Measure and cut 3 pieces of 8″ tube, and 3 pieces of 4″ tube. If you’re using the same 12″ pieces I used, you’ll only need to make one cut per tube to have the lengths you need (only three cuts total). If you’re using tubing that came in a different length, also cut 3 12″ tubes, otherwise you can just use three of the tubes in the 12″ lengths they came in. When you’re done, you’ll have the following pieces:

(3) 12″
(3) 8″
(3) 4″

If you prefer metric measurements, your tubes should be 30 cm, 20 cm, and 10 cm.

2. Cut a piece of wire an inch or two longer than all three of the sides of the triangle you’re trying to make. So at least 37″ for the biggest triangle, 25″ for the middle one, and 13″ for the smallest one. Slide the wire through all three pieces of the triangle tubing.

3. Pull the wire as taut as possible, and form the triangle. Wind the wire together at the end.

4. Trim the pieces of wire so that less than half an inch is left at each end, and tuck those ends into the tubing to hide them. Pliers are helpful for this step, but not required.

5. Once you’ve made all three triangles, line them up inside one another. Cut a piece of clear filament at least a couple of feet long, and tie it in a square knot at one point of the smallest triangle. Tuck the ends inside the tubing. Then tie knots at points on the two larger triangles. Don’t pull them tight until you’ve adjusted the triangle distances from one another.

6. If you want your copper to remain bright and shiny, you’ll need to seal it with a couple of coats of a clear spray sealer. If you choose not to, the copper will patina over time, especially outdoors.