A wind chime is really just a few things that clink, hung where the breeze can find them, so these 19 DIY wind chimes start with stuff you probably already own: clay pots, old keys, plastic spoons, juice can lids, sea glass and even a mason jar. Most need nothing fancier than twine or fishing line, a drill for a hole or two and one afternoon. Beach lovers get driftwood, shells and an ombre sea glass chime. Kids get melted pony bead hearts, painted balsa wood and pressed flower suncatchers. The DIY JOY beaded wind chime is in here too, with tiny bells and a video to follow along (fair warning, loose beads love the floor). Hang one by the back door and every breeze says hello, then browse these upcycled garden art ideas for the rest of the yard.
1. Terracotta Flower Pot Wind Chime
Three tiny terracotta pots, a little paint and some jute twine turn into a cheerful flower pot wind chime that hangs right in the garden. The pots in this version run from about 1 1/2 inches to 3 1/2 inches tall, painted in bright acrylics and finished with polka dots dabbed on with a cotton swab. Knots under each drainage hole hold the pots in place, close enough that they knock together in the wind. A quick coat of clear UV spray keeps the colors bright outdoors.
Get the full tutorial at House of Joyful Noise.
2. DIY Ceramic Copper Wind Chimes
A thrifted ceramic cup and a few lengths of copper tube make a ceramic copper wind chime that looks like it came from a pricey garden shop. Drill a hole in the bottom of the cup with a ceramic bit, misting it with water so it doesn’t crack. Cut one copper piece to fit across the inside of the cup and three more at different lengths for the chimes, then thread string through each and tuck the knots inside the tubes. A few wooden beads on top finish the look.
Get the full tutorial at Poppytalk.
3. Shabby Chic Chandelier Wind Chime
Old keys and pearl garland hang from a yarn wrapped embroidery hoop in this shabby chic chandelier wind chime. Wrap the hoop in yarn until it’s covered, then loop each key onto its own strand and tie it to the hoop at alternating lengths. Pearl strands tie between the key strands for that vintage chandelier look. Three braided yarn hangers join at the top with a wrap of wire and a small loop. Add more beads, tiers or lace trim any time you find them thrifting.
Get the full tutorial at Can Can Dancer.
4. Beautiful Beaded Wind Chime
A piece of driftwood, a pile of beads and a few little bells make this beaded wind chime that sparkles in the sun. Drill five holes in the wood, then string each strand on about 22 inches of nylon beading thread with a bell tied at the bottom. Sort beads by color for a rainbow effect, and mix in wooden beads and metal charms for texture. Run the thread end back up through a few beads to hide it, then tie each strand to the wood and add a twine hanger.
Get the full tutorial at Garden Therapy.
5. Seashore Wind Chimes
Got a bowl of seashells from past beach trips? This seashore wind chime puts them to work. A piece of driftwood serves as the hanger, and strands of shells, shell fragments, buttons and sparkly beads hang below it on thread. Smaller shell pieces and brightly colored beads look great on a shorter piece of driftwood if you want a second, smaller chime. Hang it near the back door for a soft clinking sound that feels like a little bit of the coast at home.
Get the full tutorial at home sweet homemade.
6. Steampunk Wind Chimes
Keys, gears and a little machine embroidered lace give this steampunk wind chime its offbeat charm. Small chains hang from jump rings, each finished with a metal key, a gear or a pearl, and lengths of 9 inches to a foot work well. The top is a lace locket stitched onto organza in an embroidery hoop, with a couple of freestanding lace keys added to the mix. Pick real metal pieces over plastic, since metal makes the better clink.
Get the full tutorial at Urban Threads.
7. Mason Jar Chimes
Cut the bottom off a mason jar and it becomes the bell of a sparkly mason jar wind chime. Score the jar with a bottle cutter, apply heat then cold until it separates, and sand the edge smooth with medium grit paper. Drill four evenly spaced holes with a diamond bit while the jar sits in a shallow tray of cold water, wearing a mask and goggles. String beads, chain and charms through the holes on fishing line, and use the lid with eye screws to hang it.
Get the full tutorial at Saved By Love Creations.
8. DIY Beaded Wind Chime Tutorial
This beaded wind chime from DIY JOY hangs rainbow strands of glass beads, flower beads and butterfly charms from a simple branch, with tiny bells tucked in for a soft jingle. Use fishing line or strong jewelry wire so the strands hold up outside. Lay out the bead order on the table before stringing, which keeps the colors balanced and saves restringing later. Mixing glass, wood and metal beads adds texture. The video walks through every step, so it’s an easy first wind chime.
Get the full tutorial at DIY JOY.
9. Driftwood Wind Chime
Five chunks of driftwood with holes drilled through the center stack into a rustic driftwood wind chime with big ceramic beads between them. Lay the design out on a flat surface first and play with the order of wood and beads. Then thread twine through everything, tying a secure knot between each piece of wood and at both ends. A large pendant at the bottom finishes it. Most supplies come from the craft store, or pick up driftwood on your next lakeshore walk.
Get the full tutorial at Homemade Heather.
10. Coastal DIY Ombre Seaglass Wind Chime
Lay out your sea glass from lightest to darkest and you’re halfway to this ombre sea glass wind chime. A driftwood branch makes the top, with string tied on as a hanger and a dab of glue on each knot for a tight hold. String the glass on craft wire in color order, pale pieces at one end and deep greens at the other, then attach each strand to the branch. Summer beach walks are the perfect time to collect enough glass for one.
Get the full tutorial at Our Boat House.
11. Nature Suncatcher Wind Chimes
Send the kids outside to hunt for petals and small leaves, then turn their finds into nature suncatcher wind chimes. Trace mason jar rings onto contact paper, peel off the backing and let little hands fill each circle with flowers. A second layer of contact paper seals the collage, then cut out the circles and press them into the rings. Tie the rings at different lengths to a sturdy stick with hemp cord or yarn. Peeling big flowers into single petals makes the prettiest patterns.
Get the full tutorial at Hands On As We Grow.
12. DIY Plastic Spoons Wind Chime
Ice cream spoons, a plastic lid and a few nature finds become this playful wind chime that kids can help make. Cut the center out of a lid about 4 inches across and punch 12 holes around the edge. Wrap the spoons with rubber bands so they hang without drilling, then knot them onto nylon along with feathers, beads, acorns and two small bells. Vary the string lengths so everything taps together. The project is for kids 3 and up, with a grown up on craft knife duty.
Get the full tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
13. Recycled Wind Chime Tutorial
A wire hanger, some yarn and a handful of metal juice can lids make this recycled wind chime with a fun tinny clatter. Drill a hole near the edge of each lid, setting it on a block of scrap wood first so the drill doesn’t go into your table. Kids can cut their own lengths of yarn and string them through the holes. Arrange the strands from shortest to longest, tie them onto the hanger and hang it outside. Metal canning lids work too.
Get the full tutorial at Maker Mama.
14. DIY Colorful Wind Chimes
An upside down flower pot tops these colorful wind chimes, with strands of glass shells swaying underneath. Drill two holes in the bottom of the pot with a masonry bit, going slowly so it doesn’t crack. Masonry line runs through the holes with a washer on top for hanging, and a hoop of twisted floral wire sits just under the rim. Each chime is a strand of shells on monofilament, with knots spacing them out. The whole project costs about $20.
Get the full tutorial at My Home My Style.
15. Melted Pony Bead Heart Wind Chimes
Fill a heart shaped silicone pan with red pony beads and clear tri beads, bake them until they melt and you get glossy little hearts for this pony bead wind chime. Open windows and run a fan while they melt, since the fumes are strong when the oven door opens. Once cool, hot glue the hearts onto four ribbons, staggering them, then wrap and glue the ribbon ends around a garden stick. Kids love filling the pan, and the hearts clink nicely on a porch.
Get the full tutorial at No Time For Flash Cards.
16. Fall Wind Chimes
Balsa wood strips and wooden beads painted with liquid watercolors turn into these bright fall wind chimes that kids can make. Punch a small hole in each piece of balsa first (a grown up should do this for little ones). Kids drop watercolor on the wood with droppers and spread it with a brush, front and back, and paint the beads the same way. String the pieces on lanyard, which won’t fray like cord, with a bead between each one. Then wrap the lanyard around a stick.
Get the full tutorial at Meri Cherry.
17. Feng Shui Wind Chimes
Feng shui says a welcoming doorway invites good energy inside, and this driftwood and seashell mobile is made for exactly that spot. Tiny holes are drilled through the driftwood and through each shell piece, then the shells hang on bead thread with a small bead at each end to lock the knots. The finished piece shows off a mix of favorite shell types along a beach worn plank. Glass is tricky to drill without the right bit, so stick with shell.
Get the full tutorial at home sweet homemade.
18. DIY Japanese Inspired Wind Chimes
Clear glass domes and votive inserts from the flea market become these airy Japanese inspired wind chimes. Pick a wooden bead bigger than the opening at the top of the dome. Thread crystal beads or old chandelier trimmings onto strong nylon line, then run the line up through the top of the dome and the wooden bead. That’s the whole build. Make a few in different sizes and hang them at different heights so the glass and wood clink softly together.
Get the full tutorial at Eclectic Trends.
19. Seaglass And Pebbles Wind Chimes
Softly colored glass pebbles hang in a long row under a piece of hand gathered driftwood in this sea glass and pebbles wind chime. Each pebble sits at the end of its own fine strand, so they line up evenly and clink when they sway. Light shines through the glass with a dreamy, luminous glow, which makes it a perfect patio piece. It pairs well with a shell chime and a driftwood chime hung nearby as a beach themed set.
Get the full tutorial at home sweet homemade.
