Just like the Chinese finger traps, this fiberglass braided sleeving can expand when the ends are pushed together, and shrink when pulled apart, to fit almost any size you need. Can be used to simulate hoses for car engine detail, or conductive cables on mobile suits. To prevent fraying, add a tiny drop of super glue to the cut end. Can be painted with acrylic or enamel paints. To keep it in the position/shape you want, try sliding it over a piece of floral wire, or anything else you may have that can bend and hold it's shape. A trick I've found to work - use heat shrink tubing on the ends, to terminate the ends, or join a few together (see the images - courtesy of fichtenfoo).

18" length