Isla Bennett
Horseshoe nail crosses are a beautiful craft that can be made as a gift or as a takeaway item for a retreat. They are also popular as Christmas gifts or as items to be sold at horse-themed birthday parties. To make a cross out of horseshoe nails, you will need #5 horseshoe nails, sturdy pliers, wire, and a flat surface to work on. The process involves bending the nails at right angles to form a basic outline of a cross, securing the nails together with wire, and then decorating the cross with beads, paint, or gems if desired.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Horseshoe nails, wire, block of wood, vice grip pliers, diagonal wire cutter, needle-nose pliers, small vice grip pliers, wire cutter pliers, drill, jeweler's files, burring bit, carbon steel brush, emery-impregnated disk, instant adhesive, gemstones/crystals, spray paint, plastic gems |
| Preparation | Measure and mark nails 1 inch from the nail head; cut nails to length without removing nail heads; bend nails at a right angle using a block of wood as a guide |
| Assembly | Align bent nails to form a basic outline of a cross with loops at the top; secure nails with vice grips to form half of the cross, ensuring a smooth edge; wrap wire around the cross, adding beads or decorations if desired |
| Finishing Touches | Repolish the cross with a wire wheel or buffing wheel; add adhesive or solder to attach gemstones or crystals; decorate with spray paint or hot glue plastic gems |
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What You'll Learn
Bending the nails
First, measure and mark the nails 1 inch from the nail head, using a ruler or measuring tape and a permanent marker. Do not cut off the nail heads. You can tape the short nails to a board to keep them in place while marking.
Next, place the head of two nails, one at a time, against the block of wood. Use the vice grip to bend each nail at a right angle, using the block of wood as your guide. You can also use sturdy pliers for this step.
For the left side of the cross, bend two nails with the heads set at 1 3/8 with a 90-degree bend. For the right side, bend two nails at 3/4 with a similar 90-degree bend.
To create a rounded look at the top of the cross, use needle-nose pliers to place three small 90-degree bends on the tips of the nails that were bent at 1 3/8.
Now you should have four bent nails that form the outline of a cross. Align the nails so that the nail heads are at the outer tips and the narrow ends meet in the center. Secure the top and bottom nails together with vice grips to form half of the cross. Ensure that the nails are aligned and create a smooth edge.
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Arranging the nails in a cross shape
To arrange the nails in a cross shape, start by aligning four bent nails on a flat surface to form the basic outline of a cross. Each nail forms one quarter of the cross. Place the nails so that the nail heads are at the outer tips and the narrow ends meet in the centre.
For the left side of the cross, take two nails and bend them to create a 90-degree angle, with the nail heads set at 1 3/8. For the right side, bend two more nails at 3/4 with another 90-degree angle. You can use a block of wood as a guide to help you achieve the right angle.
Now, take the two tips of the nails on the left side of the cross and use needle-nose pliers to create three small 90-degree bends, rounding out the top of the cross. This will give it a more finished and decorative look.
At this point, you can secure the top and bottom nails together with vice grips to form half of the cross. Ensure that the nails are aligned and create a smooth edge where they meet. Repeat this process for the other half of the cross, joining the remaining two nails together.
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Securing the nails
Bending the Nails:
Start by bending the nails to form the basic structure of the cross. Use a block of wood as a guide and a vice grip to bend each nail at a right angle. You can also use needle-nose pliers to create smaller, more precise bends, especially when shaping the rounded top of the cross. It is recommended to bend the nails beforehand to save time and frustration during the crafting process.
Aligning the Nails:
On a flat surface, carefully align the bent nails to form the outline of a cross. Each nail will represent one quarter of the cross. Ensure that the nail heads are positioned at the outer tips, with the narrow ends meeting in the center. Adjust the nails as needed to create a symmetrical cross shape.
Securing with Wire:
To securely join the nails together, use wire and vice grips. Measure out wire that is approximately four times the length of the cross. You can add decorative beads to the wire before wrapping it around the cross. Hold one end of the wire taut and tightly wind it around the center of the cross, where the nails meet. Make sure to maintain tension on the wire as you wrap it. Once you've wrapped the wire securely, release the vice grip and cut any excess wire. Use pliers to crimp the end of the wire tightly against the cross.
Joining the Halves:
Your cross should now be divided into two halves. Use vice grips to securely hold the lower section of the cross together. Take the wire from the left side of the cross and cross it over to the right side. Wind the wire towards the top of the cross, maintaining tension. Cut the wire and crimp the end securely on the backside of the cross. Repeat this process with the wire from the right side, crossing it over to the left side and winding it towards the bottom of the cross.
Final Adjustments:
Check that all wires are tightly wrapped and securely crimped. You can use a small amount of instant adhesive or solder to ensure that the wires do not unravel. Decorate your cross by adding gemstones, crystals, or spray painting it to personalize your design. Always wear protective gear, such as eye protection, when working with tools and adhesives.
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Adding wire and decorations
Once you have bent your nails into the shape of a cross, it's time to add wire and decorations.
Firstly, measure out wire that is approximately four times the length of the cross. If you want to add beads to your wire, this is the time to do it. Hold one end of the wire taut and wrap it tightly around the centre of the cross. Position the beads as you go, and ensure that the wire is tight enough to hold the cross together.
Next, release the vice grips and finish winding the wire to the nail head. Cut off any excess wire and use pliers to crimp the end of the wire tight. Then, cross the wire over to the other side of the cross and wind it towards the top, keeping tension on the wire. Repeat this process for the other side, crossing the wire from left to right and winding it towards the bottom. Finally, cut the wire and crimp the wire on the backside of the cross.
You can also decorate your cross by spray painting it or hot-gluing plastic gems to it. If you want to attach a semi-precious gemstone, cabochon, or crystal to the centre, you can use instant adhesive or solder. Just make sure that the joint faces are clean and oil-free.
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Finishing touches and polishing
Once you have formed the nails into a cross, you can add some finishing touches and begin polishing. Firstly, you can add loops at the top of the cross using the remaining wire. You can also decorate your cross by spray painting it or hot-gluing plastic gems to it. If you want to add some extra sparkle, you can attach a gemstone, cabochon, or crystal to the centre of the cross using instant adhesive or solder. Remember to ensure that the joint faces are clean and oil-free for a secure attachment.
To polish your horseshoe nail cross, you can use a fine wire wheel or a buffing wheel with a compound. If you want to create a smooth and shiny finish, re-polishing with a buffing wheel will be effective. This step will ensure your cross has a beautiful lustre and is free of any imperfections or scratches.
For a more personalised touch, you can bind the centre of the cross with an "X" using wire. This adds a unique detail to your creation. Additionally, you can add beads to the wire before wrapping it around the cross. Position the beads in your desired arrangement to add a pop of colour or texture.
Finally, if you plan to wear your cross as a pendant or earrings, you can add the necessary attachments. Bore a hole through each nail, about 1/4 to 1/8 inch from the nail head, and deburr the holes using a jeweller's file or a burring bit on a high-speed, hand-held rotary tool. Remember to always wear eye protection during this process for safety.
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