Mesh tubing is one of those surprisingly versatile materials that works for everything from wreaths and jewelry to cable management and garden support. Most craft mesh tubing comes in a standard 8mm (3/8-inch) diameter and sells in rolls of 25 to 30 yards, making it cheap to experiment with. Here’s a rundown of the most popular ways people put it to use.
Wreaths and Seasonal Decor
The single most popular use for decorative mesh tubing is making wreaths. You’ll need a 14-inch metal wreath form, pipe cleaners or floral wire, scissors, wire cutters, and three packs of mesh tubing (all available at dollar stores). The basic process involves attaching pipe cleaners to the wreath form as anchor points, then securing bundles of mesh tubing to those anchors. You twist or scrunch the tubing into puffy clusters, working your way around the form until it’s full.
The key to a professional-looking result is bundling the tubing rather than attaching single strands. Gather several pieces together before wiring them to the form, which creates that full, layered look you see on store-bought wreaths. Most people can finish one in under two hours once they get the rhythm down. You can mix colors, layer metallic and matte finishes, or add ornaments and ribbon as accents.
Beyond wreaths, the same tubing works for garlands, bows, and tree toppers. It holds its shape well enough to create structured designs but stays flexible enough to bend and reposition.
Jewelry and Beadwork
Thin mesh tubing makes a great base for bracelets and necklaces. The technique is simple: slide loose beads (Czech glass seed beads are a popular choice) into the hollow center of the tubing, where they catch the light through the mesh and add color without falling out. You can braid multiple filled tubes together for a more complex look.
Finishing the ends cleanly is the trickiest part. The most reliable method is to fold the raw mesh edge over itself, then glue on barrel-style end caps using a two-part epoxy. A few tips that make filling easier: work with shorter lengths, hold one end closed while you pour beads in, and gently shake the tube to distribute them evenly. You can also leave the tubing empty and use it as a stringing material for a single pendant, letting the mesh texture serve as the design element on its own.
Gift Wrapping and Bottle Covers
Mesh tubing works as a striking alternative to traditional ribbon or wrapping paper. You can slide a wine bottle directly into a wider tube for an instant gift cover, cinching the top with a twist tie or ribbon. For wrapped packages, lengths of mesh tubing replace bows or can be layered over plain paper to add texture. The material is especially popular for holiday gifts because metallic mesh catches light the way traditional wrapping can’t.
Cable Management
Expandable braided mesh tubing (sometimes called braided sleeving) is designed specifically for bundling and organizing wires. It comes in diameters starting as small as 1/8 inch and expands to fit around cable bundles of varying thickness. Installation is straightforward: if you can disconnect the cables from their plugs, slide the sleeving over the entire bundle at once. If not, you can slit the tubing lengthwise and wrap it around.
After cutting the tubing to length, briefly melt the cut end with a lighter or heat gun to keep it from unraveling. Secure each end with a zip tie, and you’ve got a clean, flexible cable sleeve that still lets the bundle bend naturally. This works well behind desks, inside entertainment centers, and anywhere visible wiring looks messy.
Garden Plant Support
In the garden, mesh netting and tubing serve two main purposes: supporting climbing plants and protecting crops from animals. Trellis netting typically comes in large rolls (5 by 30 feet is a common size) made from polyester or polypropylene, with square mesh openings that let vines grip and grow through. Cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, grapes, peas, and melons all climb well on this type of support.
For indoor growers, smaller elastic trellis nets sized 3×3 or 6×6 feet fit inside grow tents and attach with hooks. These create a horizontal grid that trains plants to spread outward rather than growing straight up, maximizing light exposure. Heavier-duty nylon or polypropylene mesh also works as bird and deer fencing stretched over berry bushes or fruit trees.
Working Safely With Mesh Tubing
Most craft mesh tubing is nylon or polypropylene, both of which handle moderate heat but aren’t fireproof. Nylon starts to deform at around 347°F (175°C), so keep mesh decorations away from heat sources like fireplaces, stovetops, and high-wattage light bulbs. When melting cut ends for cable sleeving, work in a ventilated area since burning plastic releases fumes. A quick touch with a lighter is all you need; holding the flame too long will cause the material to blacken and drip.
For outdoor applications, polypropylene mesh holds up well against moisture and UV exposure, making it the better choice over nylon for garden netting that stays outside all season.