DIY Decorative Clay Chimes + Vintage Patio Chairs

In concerning significant renovation assignments listed here in Florida, I came up with an strategy to develop attractive hanging chimes with clay. I wasn’t certain if it would function, but I nevertheless gave it a go. I’m happy to say it actually turned out really interesting so I hung it outside in excess of my vintage patio chairs that I refurbished (story underneath).

I like the repetition in the clay circles and the resemblance to wind chimes. Real truth is, these strands are not seriously chimes at all given that they make no seem, they’re genuinely far more like a cell, but I affiliate a mobile with a child nursery so I choose to contact them chimes in its place.

I can also visualize equivalent strings of clay circles strung in a linear format like a macrame wall hanging. I viewed as that arrangement but selected to make these seem a lot more like wind chimes for the decorative and sculptural result.

Frist, how to recreate the chimes then the brief tale on all those vintage patio chairs. I acquired all my craft materials at my regional Michaels:  2 deals 2.2 lb air dry modeling clay 3 ply ivory jute twine outside acrylic paints in colours of preference a 9 inch wood plaque, and craft paintbrushes. You will also require a rolling pin to flatten the clay wax paper circle formed house cups/cutters in many measurements allen wrench paper bowls/cups for paint sanding wedge or foot scrubber (see impression down below) electric power drill with 1/8” drill bit to make holes in wooden plaque.

Aaaaaannd… you are going to also will need patience for this job, it took numerous days times from start to end and 6 hrs of my time. Cutting the clay can take at least an hour, then you need to wait a total day for them to dry. The subsequent day you can paint them but you’ll need to flip them about and permit each sides to dry entirely. The third working day you can string it with each other but that also requires a few hours. I gave myself four full days start off to finish, coming back again to the project for an hour or two every working day until it was concluded.

Down below are the ways, start out to complete. I’m also adding a movie to Instagram way too so you can visualize how it arrives together. Very first, roll a couple of ounces of clay flat, transfer to wax paper, and use cutting resources to make circles in different dimensions. To lower the clay, I employed stemless wine eyeglasses, champagne flutes, a salad dressing cap, and the cap to my deodorant to make the base oval shape.

Immediately after the circles are minimize, use an allen wrench to pierce the clay circles with smaller openings. Allow them dry on refreshing lengths of wax paper for 12 hours on each individual aspect, 24 hrs full.

Hope imperfection in the outcomes, that is portion of the appeal. 🙂

When the clay circles are wholly dry, smooth the edges. You can use either a medium grit sanding wedge or what I located to be better was a pedicure foot scrubber!

As soon as they are clean, paint them any shade you select. If hanging outside decide on outdoor acrylic paint, if handing indoors, common acrylic paint will be fantastic.

Out of doors acrylic paints arrive in minimal hues so I combined a pistachio eco-friendly hue and added it to 50 percent the circles.

It was too vivid for me so I painted in excess of the overall circle with a thin coat of white so it would glance more bleached out and beachy. The remaining colour appears to me like a shade you’d come across in saltwater taffy. 🙂

The most time consuming aspect is the assembly. It took me a whole two several hours to string all the clay in buy then join them to the wood plaque. I had to different the twine and utilised 1 strand to protected the clay pieces to every single other and 2 strands to connect to the wooden plaque. Shorter strands link the clay circles, a person extensive strand as a result of holes in the plaque appear together to kind the major hanging part.

To attach the strings of clay circles to the wood plaque, use a 1/8” drill bit to make holes in the four corners, four midpoints, and center of the wood plaque. (not revealed). Paint it any color of preference, I chose white.

Immediately after two several hours of assembly, it came together and I hung the clay chimes outdoors. I enjoy how it dances in the wind. I can see it from the sunroom when I peek out the window way too. It appears quite amazing searching out from the within of the house.

It’s a entertaining focal issue on the patio above the classic patio chairs. If hanging outdoor, I suggest hanging in a secured spot absent from immediate humidity and only retaining it up all through excellent weather. I have no thought how long this will last, it’s an experiment. Thankfully, any unfastened strands could be fixed with contemporary twine. 🙂

So…. the tale on the chairs! The initial week I arrived in Sarasota I experienced the excellent fortune of finding a vendor of classic finds, a supplier who goes to neighborhood estate revenue and grabs terrific items then sells them in her eBay shop and ships across the Usa. I found her simply because I experienced bought a pair of vintage twin rattan headboards for our visitor room then found she lived in the very same town! I then uncovered she also experienced a pair of classic Russell Woodard midcentury chairs, woah, cherished these!

These are spun fiberglass chairs from the 1960s, the style and design is so awesome. They match the midcentury fulfills coastal type I’m likely for. I compensated $100 each and every, and they market for a whole lot far more on Chairish or 1st Dibs. I refinished them in two coats of Universal Spray Paint in white, then included cushions I uncovered here and in this article. I bought diverse measurement cushions given that the proportions of the seats are marginally diverse dimensions.

Pillows from this fabulous Etsy shop. Fluted pink tumblers from listed here. Coral vase/candle holder from a neighborhood shop on clearance, also spray painted.

Palm clippings from my property. Pics from my Apple iphone mainly because I’m lazy. 🙂