Winter Wind Chime
by Shannon McMath
It’s cold, rainy and the wind is blowing – wouldn’t it be nice to convert a little of that bad weather into something pleasant? This Terra Cotta Pot Wind Chime is just the thing to add some musical sunshine to your day. It’s a project that is as simple as threading beads on a string so even the youngest crafters can participate. You can make one up in no time, hang it outside and listen for the beautiful music as the wind begins to blow!
Hang them outdoors now and enjoy their charm all through winter and into to spring when those March winds begin to stir. The terra cotta will withstand the elements so no worry about having to bring it in. Just make sure to check the string once in a while to make sure it’s not beginning to fray.
What You Need:
-
4 inch Terra Cotta Pot - Three 2 1/2 inch Terra Cotta Pots
- Pony Beads
- String – relatively thick but still thin enough to string the beads on
- Acrylic Paints
- Paint Brushes
- Scissors
What You Do:
- The first step is to paint the terra cotta pots. So, get your paints out and decorate! It can be crazy and colorful or uniform and color coordinated. Flowers, stripes, polka dots – whatever suits your fancy. Let the pots dry before moving on to the next step.
- Cut off a 3-foot piece of the string and tie a knot at one end. Start stringing the pony beads and continue for about 6 inches.
- Now, string on one of the small terra cotta pots. Simply thread the string through the drain hole at the bottom.
- Add some more pony beads – about 10 of them – and then add the second small terra cotta pot.
- Repeat steps 2 and three.
- For the final step you will string on about 15 pony beads then the larger terra cotta pot. Tie off the string so everything stays in place. You can add some more beads for a decorative hanging string if you would like. Now find a windy spot in your yard and enjoy this musical craft!
Tips & Variations
We used pony beads in our example but large wooden beads would make it easier for younger children. It’s a great project for hand/eye coordination.
These Terra Cotta Pot Wind Chimes also make an excellent gift for the avid gardener or for someone who enjoys spending time outdoors. You can personalize them with paint by adding a name or a meaningful poem. Experiment with different sizes of pots and various quantities to make them more interesting.
Shannon McMath lives in Northern California and enjoys spending time with her daughter engaging in crafts of all kinds. Having earned a degree in Art & Design from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, she has learned to recognize the role that creativity plays in our society, and also how important it is to foster creativity in children.
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