Metal wire at Lowes/Home Depot may work too. Comes in many gauges and flavors....copper, aluminum, and so on. Bends well without heating or snapping. Tools such as a pair of needle nose pliers will certainly come in handy for those tighter bends. Just a thought.
Pick-up sticks with BALLS on the ends?
Pfft. I remember when those things had sharp pointy ends like tooth-picks, that game was more fun with the added danger!