Wire comes packaged one of two ways; in long lengths that are coiled and in shorter lengths that are straight.  Generally, when I'm working with models I like to buy the straight wire cut to 18 or 24 inches.  These are generally available in your local craft department, but are sometimes grouped in with floral supplies.  In a pinch, you can also sacrifice wire clothes hangers for thicker wire needs.  

 A pair of wire cutters or a multi tool, such as a Gerber or Leatherman is needed for cutting wire.  Scissors do not accomplish this task, and you will ruin them if you try.    The multi tool or some other small pliers can also be useful when working with bending the wire into shapes.

I've used wire as scale half-round molding, pipe for things like booms, truss detail, branches on foliage (with texture added), scale railing pieces, and a variety of other odd things. One of my favorite wire uses was to sculpt some decorative "iron railing" out of wire.  This was a time consuming process, but I was very pleased with the result.

It can be difficult to work with, because it is hard to adhere to other surfaces, especially when only a small amount of surface area is needing to be attached with the rest free standing.  My best success has been with attaching it with large gobs of glue gun glue, but only when stylistically the glue gun glue look is ok.  When possible, drilling a hole for the ends of the wire to attach into is helpful.  When used as molding, a tacky glue running the entire length of the wire works quite well, but when a smaller amount of wire is being attached, it tends to be an extremely fragile attachment.  

 Attaching wire by intertwining it or winding it around objects, or twisting it into itself also tends to be a successful technique, when possible.

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