Shells strung together make music for one crafty homeowner.
Beading supplies and thin copper tubing can be used to make windchimes that are also suncatchers. You need a copper bangle, large glass or plastic beads, thin copper tubing--the beads should not be able to fit inside--beading or fishing wire and a small craft or jewelry drill. All these supplies are available at bead or craft stores, except the tubing, which can be found at hardware stores and home improvement centers.
The copper bangle will serve as the ring the chimes will hang from. String beads on four strands of wire--the length is up to you. Cut four lengths of copper tubing, each progressively longer than the one before it. Do not make any of the lengths longer than your beaded strands. Drill a small hole in the end of each tube and string each from its own piece of wire. Again, they should hang at different heights. Cover exposed wire above each tube with beads. Wrap the working end of each of the eight lengths of wire you have made to the metal ring, alternating beaded ones and ones with tubing. The beads will act as strikers against the tubing. Fashion a hanger out of wire and hang your windchimes near your favorite window.
Old hard drives find new life as geek-friendly chimes.
Decorate clay pots and turn them into windchimes as a project you do by yourself or with children. The smaller pots, like the miniature ones that often hold tiny cacti or herbs, make a higher sound and are more lightweight than the standard-size terra-cotta pots. You need about five clay pots, 2 to 4 inches in diameter are the most manageable, waterproof acrylic paint, paintbrushes, large glass or plastic beads (optional), plastic craft lacing, scissors and a small bell. Make sure the bell and the beads are larger than the drainage hole in the bottom of the pots.
Paint the pots and allow them to dry thoroughly. Thread plastic lace through the hole of one pot from the bottom to the inside and tie on the bell. String a handful of beads against the pot--how many depends on the size of the beads and the size of the pots--using the other end of the lace, then the second pot, more beads, another pot and so on. You want just enough beads to let the pots sway with the wind but still overlap and chime. The beads between the pots should not be visible. After the last pot is added to the stack, make a large loop and tie to secure.
Even an old shoe can become a work of art.
Almost anything you can hang and makes a nice noise can become a windchime. Unconventional do-it-yourself windchimes have been made out of defunct computer hard drives, oyster shells and mismatched silverware. Five to 10 chimes seem to be the common range. Add a striker or let them strike each other--it is up to you.
