How to Craft Shells for a Rain Chain
Rain chains are a decorative way to replace your downspout. Like your downspout, they direct rain from your gutters to the ground. Unlike your downspout, they will not become backed up with leaves and other debris, saving you time and money on cleaning costs. Pre-made rain chains are available in different materials, such as copper, rope or even sea shells. Although you could purchase a pre-made rain chain, if you prefer to make your own, you can do so for little money, and by making your own you can choose the shells you use. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Measure the space your rain chain will be hanging in. It will be hung from your gutter where a traditional downspout would be. The rain chain should hang down about two to three inches from the ground.
-
2
Choose and measure your shells for the rain chain. Any type of shell can be used and they can be found a craft stores. However, bivalve shells are easier to drill and using shells that are four to five inches in size are easier to work with. Make your rain chain out of shells all of one type or use a variety of different types of shells if you prefer.
-
-
3
Choose and measure your garden chain for your rain chain. You can use any type of chain you would like, as long as it is metal and you can open the links.
-
4
Use your shell and chain link measurements to determine how many of each you will need to make the length to determined in Step 1. When you put your rain chain together, you will start with a link and end with a shell, alternating the two as you go.
-
5
With the Dremel tool, drill small holes into each shell. You will need two holes per shell and they should be located across from one another on either side of the shell. The size of the holes should be large enough to insert a chain link into them.
-
6
Open all of your chain links. You may need to use needle-nose pliers, depending on the type of chain you chose.
-
7
Make your chain by inserting the open links through the holes in the shells, closing the links as you go. Do not close the top link.
-
8
Use a drill to make a hole in your gutter that is large enough to insert a chain link through. The hole should be drilled on the edge of the gutter where your downspout normally would be.
-
9
Feed the chain link you left open through the hole you made in Step 8. Use your pliers to close it and complete your shell rain chain.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit shells in shell image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
