Hearing tinkling sound of windchimes when they blow in a light summer breeze can be quite nice. By using old silverware and an old kitchen item you have laying around you can make quite a nice windchime for your porch or to place outside your kitchen window. If you don't have any old silverware around they can be picked up very inexpensively at garage sales, estate sales and thrift shops. I prefer the heavier silverware to stainless steel since it gives a more pleasant sound.
Supplies:
Silverware
Old pot, plate or teapot for top
large brick
mallet
power drill with 1/8 inch drill bit
sharp nail
c- clamp
cutting oil
fishline
super glue
Directions:
1.First flatten your spoons and forks ( the knives are already flat) by placing each on an old brick and then pounding them flat with the mallet. Turn over as you need to and pound to the desired flatness.
2.Secure each utensil with a c clamp to the workbench. Put a dimple (this will keep the drill from wandering) in each of the handle with the nail and fill with the cutting oil. Then using the 1/8 inch drill bit drill through the center of each utensil handle.- the metal will be hot after drilling so be careful. Clean up any jagged edges around the hole.
3. Using the same procedure space holes in your teapot or plate around the edge spacing them as desired.
4.Pass a piece of fishline through the hole in the silverware and tie a double knot. Then pass the other end of the piece of fishline through the whole in your plate and temporarily tie a knot big enough to not pass back through the hole
5.Check the chime for balance when you have all of the chimes( silverware) in place. This part may take some time to get right. Make sure they will strike each other. (if you want them to chime in a light wind put them close together). Keep retying and checking till you are happy.
6. When everything is to your satisfaction....tie the knots tight and then put a bit of superglue on each.
7.Now hang your chimes !
Labels: crafting, how to, kitchen utensils windchimes |
