Armature building

I've started working on the base frame or armature for Caterina's rosary tonight. My fingers are going to hurt like no other tomorrow, I keep sticking  myself with the metal. Making an armature is a helpful way to keep props/objects firm and stiff and creates a great base to work off of. When I was creating the sphere prop for my Tsubasa cosplay (Pictured below) I also used an armature method to keep it strong. It held up perfectly. I have created my own method for creating wire based armatures that is fairly simple and keeps the item together strongly. I don't always use wire but the last two props I have. This prop has to be done in wire because it is going to be covered with oven-bake clay. So make sure the material you are using to build your armature is oven safe beforehand so you don't need to restart and go through all that stress.

The base of the armature for the sphere

This is how I do my armatures. I take florist wire, which you can get for cheap at most art stores. It's much cheaper than getting jewelry wire, which you often get less for the price anyway. The wire I have isn't coated either. 

I take a long section then fold it. Then wrap a new thread of wire around, pictured on the left part. This creates a strong base.

I can't use hot glue like I normally do though since it is going in the oven. Hot glue is great to hold the metal together and for covering sharp tips. But I only do this when I'm using something that air drys  like Model Magic clay. That stuff worked so well with my wire armature. 

With the armature I'm working on now (Which I will upload pictures to later on, no batteries for the camera) I have it basically done. I'm reinforcing the middle which connects the smaller part of the cross together. This will help me when I'm putting on the heavy clay and keep the armature from bending out of shape.