That seems like a great project, I built mine in very little time because I wanted results that same day. So I planned it that way. as a bonus, It turned out to be durable too. I didn't want the kiln build to be a project, the project was perfecting my powder. The length, gauge and type of wire you mentioned is exactly what I used. Actually I used 24 feet I think. The wire was wound around a 3/8 rod in a lathe very slowly to make it tight. I think the final length was 12 inches or so and I stretched it to the required length I needed after the kiln was built.
edit:not a 3/8 rod. I used a 1/4 rod.