Tools

two pairs of miniature pliers *
one pair wire cutters *

pliers for bending (left). cutters (right)

small ruler or optional compact bug ruler (download .pdf)

compact ruler

optional cardboard tool helps evenly space knees (download .pdf)

knee spacing tool

safety glasses - A Word of Caution: Protect your eyes when working with wire. When wire is cut, small pieces can fly in unexpected directions. When wire strands are handled, they can spring from your fingers in surprising directions. Be careful when working with wire. Use of glasses is a smart safety measure.


Materials
wire - 24 gauge galvanized steel or .025" stainless.* (Other types of wire may be too soft for bugs.)
6 inches for Head
9 inches for Front Legs
18 inches for Body & Back Legs

3 types of beads:

1. Head Bead * *
There are many great beads that can be used for heads.
If a folded strand of wire will not fit through the hole, choose another bead. If the hole is too big, add a smaller bead, piece of leather, or even a small metal washer at the “face.”


2. Torso Bead Pair * *(or a grouping of beads)
Long tube and oval beads are ideal for lungs/torsos/abdomens and can also be grouped with smaller beads.


3. Seed and Bugle beads * *


Take your wire with you when buying head, torso, seed and bugle beads, and verify that hole sizes are not too small or too big. (The head bead hole needs to accept a double strand of wire . . . all other beads a single strand.)

Spine
The spines/backbones of my first bugs were rib bones of small animals that i found for sale at the Santa Fe flea market. Spines can be made in many ways and depending on material used may need to be prepared a day or two in advance. Best arched or bent and three to four inches long.

bug spines cut from hard maple


sections cut from tree or shrub branches. debarked and sanded when dried


fresh cut sticks can be tied with string and when dried will stay bent after string is removed


fresh cut sticks can be bent with a simple form and removed when dried


ideal rib curve / angle


. . . more alternatives for spines:
bend a piece of 10 guage galvanized steel or aluminum wire
(source: hardware store. heavy duty cutter needed for this wire.)
heat and bend a piece of 1/8 inch diameter styrene rod or tube
(source: hobby store. modeling materials)

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* cheap wire, pliers and cutters available from HarborFreight.com:
.025" stainless wire
pliers
cutters

* * You can likely find a head and two torso beads for 25¢ (or less) each. Seed beads and bugle beads cost even less and most bead stores have a bargain tray of odds and ends.