Craft Project: Make a Beaded Wind Chime
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If you would like to make a wind chime yourself, instead of paying for one at the shops, then clear a few hours over a weekend and get crafty! It is very rewarding to make and by beading it yourself, you get to choose the colours to match your home.
This beaded wind chime idea isn't new - you will find many other versions of it on the internet - however, this one is particularly thrifty. I have never had the urge to make one before until I had an empty balcony which needed some love, but I didn't want to spend any money. This is an easy project that all of us can do that won't break the bank, and it is relaxing to make as well. So put on the radio, find a big table, sit under good light and get crafty this weekend!
Gather Your Supplies
A thick natural stick which turns up at each end
Jute/ string
6 Shells with holes
Approximately 7 long beaded necklaces (from op shop)
Fishing line
Blue-tac
Superglue
Scissors
Go for a walk around your garden or neighbourhood and find an interesting stick in the right proportions for your space. I had a large area, so I picked a long stick, however small chimes look just as good, particularly if you are making one for inside. Shells with holes can be hard to find - our family have been collecting them for years - however you can often find them at craft shops for a few dollars a bag. Alternatively, choose something else as your feature at the end of each beaded string - such as large beads or artificial flowers.
For the beads, I pulled apart several beaded necklace that I got from friends and the local op shop. This was a lot cheaper than buying beads in individual bags and I had a bigger variety of shapes and colours. This thrifty idea made this project so much more affordable!
Step By Step Instructions
1/ Lay your stick on a flat surface and tie your string near each end, creating a hanging loop at the top. Ensure you double and triple the knots.
2/ Position your shells on the flat surface, showing how long you would like each beaded string. Cut your fishing line to length, adding extra for tying the knots at the top.
3/ Thread one end of the fishing line through the hole in the shell. If the hole is small, then a few knots to hold it in place will suffice. If it is a large hole, then position the fishing line and get a small piece of Blue-tac and push it into the hole, pressing the line into the Blue-tac. Superglue in place and allow to dry.
4/ Thread your beads onto the fishing line to your desired length and tie the top to the centre of the stick, using double and triple knots to secure. Cut off the excess line.
5/ Continue beading each piece of fishing line and securing it to the stick, working out from the centre to help it look balanced.
6/ Hang it up on a hook and watch it spin in the wind!
This project took me a few hours to make and cost me next to nothing. The stick and shells were free, the fishing line came off my husbands' fishing reel, I already had a roll of string and I bought 5 long necklaces for $1 each at the op shop, and my friend gave me 2 more! I enjoyed the feeling of creating something myself and I now stand back to admire it every day. It has certainly given some "love" to my balcony!
After this first success, my daughter and I made a smaller, pink one for her bedroom - see below.
Why don't you make one for yourself this weekend?
#craft
#hobbies
#how_to
#outdoor
#rainy_day
#second_hand
%wneverywhere
85322 - 2023-06-11 07:07:47