I have some water bottles that no longer have wires, too.  I've found a few
things work as wire substitutes:
 
- bits of pipe cleaner
- bits of coat hanger (I cut it and bend it with a pair of wire cutters and
  some pliers)
- when really desperate, I twist some of those wire twist ties (for garbage
  bags) together, and use those.
 
Hope that helps!
 
- Ela
 
Ela Heyn
Harborside Mail Stop 3024
201-860-3336
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[Posted in FML issue 3148]