I tried so many other materials for the mitered half-round dowels (including foam rods and hair rollers), but ended up using wood. My husband cut them because when I tried to cut them on the miter saw it made a lot of smoke and now I'm not allowed to use it. I coated them with 3 layers of fiberglass mixed with 2 shades of gold and a sprinkle of silver Jacquard medium. They clink now and feel nothing like wood. All I have left to do is make the piece they attach to - like the belting but wider.
