I still can't picture why this is so complicated.

But why not get some stainless steel wire to make some prototypes?

E.g. 316L Stainless (Low carbon, very corrosion resistant. Overkill for this application.)
http://www.mcmaster....teel-wire/=l3c4c2

#92705K17 - 0.064" diameter, 1/4 pound spool (22 feet long). $18.01 plus tax and shipping.

That diameter is between 14 and 15 gauge wire so is reasonably robust. It has a soft temper so should be easy to bend (and should be strong enough to keep its shape). There's a spring-tempered version as well.

http://www.component...ile-strength.html gives the tensile strength as 220 - 250 ksi (220-250,000 psi). It should easily hold some ice cubes.

You can do calculations to determine what is the minimum size wire you need given the known weight (roughly 19 g each according to http://wiki.answers....d_size_tray_weigh so 3 ice cubes = 57 g or a little over 2 oz), the material you want to use and the shape. I haven't done the calculations. No guarantees that this wire will work for you - just a gut feeling. You'll need to experiment.

HTH a little.

Cheers,
Scott.