Metal Bling Basket

This summer I’ve been working on a Sue Whitney-type project that involves this:
Love that patina!
At any rate, I was working with some metal strapping. I’m sure there’s an official guy-type name for it, but I’m going with metal strapping since it’s metal and it’s used to strap pipes to the wall. Apparently, the “Guy Name” for this stuff is pipe strapping, if you read Hubs comment below, but don’t tell him what I did with it. 😉
As I was working with the strapping, the thought occurred to me that it would make a cool basket. I went to YouTube and looked up basket-making instructions and here’s what I came up with:
I used some screws in the holes to hold the strapping in place while I added the new rows.
I was so excited to find the copper strapping. I was doing the happy dance in the store and Hubs just rolled his eyes at me. Whatevs. Copper metal strapping is Happy Dance-worthy, am I right?
It took me about 3 or 4 days to do this, since I had to let some ideas brew for awhile. I couldn’t do a traditional finish on the top, so it took me some trial and error to find a solution I liked. A few hours of work plus a few cuts and scraps later, I had this:
I think I must have been a raccoon in another life, because I sho’ love the shiny stuff. Of course, if you know me by now, you know I can’t leave well enough alone. That’s right, I froufed this bad boy right up.

Here it is in all it’s glory.

Because of some of the comments I’ve had on this basket, I want to clarify a few things. 
  • If/When I make another basket, I would definitely wear gloves. This project is hard on your hands. 
  • This project is a moderate- to advanced-level project. 
  • I’m not sure I would make one for a kid or with a kid, as there are wires inside that can be painful if bumped into. If you can find a way to weave the wire ends in so they aren’t seen and aren’t sticking out, that might help, but I don’t have little people any more so it’s not an issue in my house.
Cost Breakdown:
Metal Strapping – $9-ish
Copper Wire and Soldering Wire – $8-ish
Beads – Stash on hand
Total Cost – $17-ish

You can check the FruGal’s Facebook page for more pictures and details on the project.

I’m Linking Up to the parties on my Link’s Page!