What does one do with the pesky wire coat hanger when they resolve to change over to plastic hangers? Recycling them to your local dry cleaners is always an option, but there are many craft projects you can use them for if you decide to hang on to them.

One of the coolest things for kids to experience is the melting of marshmallows or cooking hot dogs over an open flame. Cut one side of the wire coat hanger near the handle and straighten out the hanger to form a stick long enough to keep children a safe distance from the open flame of a fire. Add your marshmallow or hot dog to the end and watch their eyes light up at these tasty morsels.

You can use those pesky wire coat hangers as the base for many different kinds of wreaths for your home or a home wreath business. Stretch the wire hanger out to form a circle. The hook becomes the hanger for the wreath and can be tucked behind the decorations added to the base ring. Take this to the next level and shape the hanger into a heart for a Valentine's wreath, clover for a St. Patrick's Day one, or a square to create a flag shape for the 4th of July. Use decorations that are appropriate for the specific holiday and attach them with string, hot glue, or wire ties.

Bend the wire hanger into a circle to create a Dream Catcher. Wrap the wire with leather strips purchased from the craft store. Once the entire wire hanger is wrapped, string thread for the webbing by starting with tying it to the hanger then make a loop about an inch away from the knot and continue around the circle. Continue doing this by inching in the webbing and creating your loops on the exposed thread until you have a small circle in the center. You can adorn these with feathers and beads to match your bedroom decor.

With a pair of wire cutters and pliers you can bend the pesky wire coat hangers into all kinds of shapes to make decorations for your Christmas tree. Purchase beads that will slip over the wire easily to add depth to these decorations. Or, add unique wire wings, a halo, horns, etc. to Halloween costumes. You can even use them to create antennae for an alien costume.

Make a bubble wand. Stretch the hanger into a circle and dip into bubble mixture to create extra large bubbles.

Here is a favorite: bend the hanger in half at hook and center bottom to create a holder for your hot glue gun. You will need to make the stand sit flat on the surface so bend the wings (sides) out flat.

Think of all the times you wish you had a piece of wire to finish any craft project. By keeping these around instead of throwing them out, you will have an endless supply of wire for all your craft needs. Happy crafting!

 This article is copyright to lynnechandler on hubpages 2009.