Directions for a Plastic Bottle Wind Spinner
Wind spinners add colorful movement to your garden or patio. You can make decorative wind spinners using recycled plastic soda bottles. Keep the plastic out of the landfill as you decorate your outdoor space. Get the kids involved and you can teach them how to turn trash into backyard treasure. Hang the plastic bottle wind spinners from a tree branch or a shepherd’s hook. When the wind picks up, the bottle will twirl and the spinners come to life.
Things You'll Need
- Plastic soda bottle
- Acrylic paint
- Artist’s brush
- Ruler
- Craft knife
- Awl
- 22-gauge craft wire
- Wire cutters
- Ball bearing swivel
Instructions
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1
Remove the label sleeve or paper from the outside of a plastic soda bottle.
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2
Paint the outside of the plastic bottle with a background color using acrylic paint. Let the paint dry. Paint decorative elements with different colors.
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3
Rest the painted plastic bottle on its side. Measure and mark the bottle into thirds with a light pencil. The third of the bottle in the center is where you will cut the spinners.
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4
Divide the center third into 3/4-inch increments. Use a ruler to mark straight pencil lines on the measurements. The 3/4-inch increments will appear horizontal as the bottle is on its side, but vertical when the bottle is standing upright.
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5
Position a straight edge along the first marked line in the center section. Cut through the plastic bottle on the line with a craft knife. Make straight cuts through the bottle along every 3/4-inch line in the center section of the bottle.
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Stand the bottle upright. Press down on the top of the bottle to force the cut strips to protrude outwards. Pinch each strip in the center to make a crease.
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Pinch each strip at a 45-degree angle on the top. Each angle should be facing the same direction. Pinch the bottom of each strip at a 45 degree angle in the opposite direction from the top strips. The angles will help the plastic bottle catch the wind and spin.
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Make two holes side by side in the center of the plastic bottle top with an awl or nail. Cut a 4-inch strip of 22-gauge craft wire. Thread the wire halfway through the loop on a ball bearing swivel. Fold the wire in the center and insert the ends through the two holes on the bottle top. Twist the wire on the underside of the bottle top to hold the wire in place.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
