To just make a U bend all you need is a bolt the diameter that you want the bend to be and some pliers. Bending 1/8 music wire isn't much of a challenge.
As for wire types, a lot of that depends on if you need it to be springy. Music wire is 1095 steel that's been hardened and then drawn to a spring temper. Some stainless steels can be springy, but most can't.