I use this, unless I need to build something much larger and quicker. Then I use poster board and just trim it to fit. Then use that to transfer the design to wood. All depends on what is going on and what I'm building. I have used a combination of both in the same build as well.
Pipe cleaners should work, but it may be a tad off because of the "fringy things" on them..but nothing you couldn't trim or sand down.