Reuse Seashells To DIY A Stunning Wind Chime You'll Love
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Wind chimes are an underrated home decor. They don't just look beautiful hanging in your yard but also fill your home with soft, twinkling sounds whenever there's a breeze. Plus, wind chimes can be used for more than their sounds since according to Feng Shui principles, they're believed to ward off negative energy. If you're looking for an easy way to bring beach chic style to your home, DIY a stunning wind chime by reusing seashells. Simply string several shells on fishing twine before hanging the finished chime on your patio or porch.
Following this artsy DIY idea, you can decorate with real seashells from the beach. You should scrub and disinfect them to get rid of sand and grime. Combine water and bleach in a 3:1 ratio in an old bucket and soak your shells for a few hours. Then, rinse them in warm water and leave them to air dry. If you haven't collected your own shells, you can easily find them online, such as Wanwanzi's 1200 pieces Tiny Sea Shells Pack. You'll also need a piece of driftwood but if you don't have one, you can use an attractive branch or purchase craft driftwood like these 15 inch pieces that come complete with a cord to hang them from your porch. Additional items required for this craft include a spool of thread, twine, fishing line, jute, or decorative cord, along with a drill outfitted with a small (⅜-inch) diamond-coated drill bit. Decorative elements like beads and sea glass will make your wind chime look prettier, but they're optional.
How to DIY a wind chime using seashells and driftwood
Begin by deciding on the arrangement of your seashells. Do you want all the strings to be of equal length or would a tapered effect be better? You can even alternate between short and long strings. This will let you decide how many seashells you need and where beads or sea glass factor into your design. Also, determine whether you'll be packing the shells closely or you want more of an easy-breezy vibe. If you pick the first option, you'll need more shells and beads (if you're using them) to make the wind chime.
Once you have the basics squared away, take a picture of the finalized design to use as a reference. Drill holes in the top or bottom of your shells. Go slow, or the pressure might cause them to shatter. If possible, lay them on a clean sponge placed inside a container with water. This way, the pressure won't be overwhelming and your drill won't get too hot.
@jaydamere i'm so happy with how these turned out! 💛🐚🌞 shells collected from the west coast, if only we had shells like this here :( can't wait to gift them! #seashells #diy #windchime
Mark the spots on the driftwood where you want the chimes to hang and drill holes for the threads. Feed the rope through the holes and knot them in place. You can also apply a bead of glue. Now, you can begin looping in your seashells and beads. Keep knotting them as you go. In case the holes in the seashells are bigger than the diameter of the string, apply a bead of hot glue to ensure the shells don't move around. Spray paint your wind chime for a colorful look and finish off with a coat of clear spray.