Materials:

Bailing wire
Needle nose pliers
Slip joint pliers
Side cutters
Cardboard boxes
Paper maché
Orbital sander (or sanding blocks)
Tempera paings
Electric drill

Larry said, " First the wire was purchased at Lowes.  I believe it is called baling wire...it is very cheap (7.95 a roll?)  and a few roles will make 30 to 40 mobiles.  You might be able to find the wire at a farm or ranch store.  Next, I purchased needle nose pliers at Wal-Mart for 2.00 to 3.00 a piece.  Each kid needs a pair of these pliers.  I also purchased some slip joint pliers and side cutters at Wal-Mart for the same price.  These tools are used to make the "jump" connecting rings.  The individual shapes were first cut from a cardboard box and then covered with layers of paper maché to give the shapes more substance.  When dry, the shapes were sanded using an orbital sander.  This produces a product much like balsa wood.  (Note: I have made mobiles like this in the past and have used shoe polish over the dry tempera.  When brushed and polished, the pieces look like carved wood and have a very nice "feel" to them) Next they were painted with tempera paint.  Kids then drilled the holes with an electric drill.  I used an old 2x6 under the pieces when they were being drilled.  Kids who finished the mobiles early were encouraged to experiment with the wire by making sculptures."