I am making a lamp shade that calls for bonsai wire. How is bonsai wire different from regular wire and what would be a good substitute for it????
Bonsai wire may be purchased with coatings of various natural colors so it will not distract attention. Also, bonsai wire is usually single strand conductor because it is stiffer and will retain its shape better than multistrand. . Generally, wire is wire. For your purposes Grasshopper, find some house wire at the local home center..
Aluminum or copper are the best choices. Avoid iron or steel as they can react with the sap and harm the tree, especially a juniper. bonsai is a copper coated aluminum. Aluminum is more mallable, copper is stronger, with strength you can go thinner, but thin is harder on the tree.
