Upcycled Wind Chimes

A pretty and musical touch for your garden, a fun project for the kids, and a great way to use up items that would otherwise be tossed aside, these upcycled wind chimes are a perfect summer craft. Flatware can be picked up at yard sales and thrift stores if you don’t already have some on hand, a vegetable can rescued from the recycling bin, and a handful of beads from your craft stash can be tossed together to create a unique decoration for your yard or garden. When the kids call out ” Mom I’m bored”, pull this out to keep them busy for a while. Customize it to fit your yard or porch décor by choosing complimentary colors and themes (or let your kids go crazy like I did).

Upcycled Wind Chimes

Supplies Needed:

A large, clean aluminum can
5 or more forks or spoons
Fishing line/ fine gauge wire
Plastic or glass beads
Glue gun/glue sticks
Drill
Paint

Directions:

Paint clean can with 2-3 coats of spray paint, allow to dry for several hours.

Drill 4 or more holes near the bottom opening of your can and on the top.

Cut as many wires or fishing lines as you need into 8-10″ length, tie one end to handle of flatware, and add hot glue to secure wire to the end. If you are comfortable with a drill, you can drill holes through the handle and tie the line on. Set out a variety of beads and let your child string beads half way up line.

Tie the other end of line through the holes at the base of your can.

Cut a final length twice as long as the can you use and tie the end to a fork or spoon. Tie a bead halfway up the length to act as a stopper in your can, and run the empty end through your can and out the hole in the top. Add beads to the wire to for more decoration before hanging outside.