DIY from metal is going to be pretty challenging unless you have some specialized tools. If you don't mind the "rough" look, you could do it out of galvanized pipe. Painted flat black it would probably look OK, and being hollow provides a method of hiding wires. The only drawback is that the fittings are bulky and unattractive.
You could maybe do something with threaded rod as well, although I'm not sure how much load it can carry across a span for a given guage, or of the availability of T and corner fittings. A quick run to the local DIY store of your choice should spark ideas.
Anything that's steel or iron (angle stock or square tube) is going to need grinders, welders and bending/cutting tools that aren't part of the everyman's toolbox.
Don't use copper! On one hand, you won't have ich problems, on the other hand, you won't have any pesky inverts to worry about either.
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