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    Home » DIY Projects

    DIY Wind Chimes with Tin Cans

    by Patti Estep · Apr 26, 2023

    Jump to How-to Card

    Learn how to make these pretty tin can wind chimes using recycled cans from coffee, and vegetables. It's an easy fun upcycle project you can enjoy creating.

    Three tin cans in descending sizes hanging from twine.

    Upcycling with tin cans is a fun craft and a great way to recycle trash. Today I'm making this beautiful wind chime with three tin cans nested inside each other.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Three tin cans, napkins and twine.

    What You'll Need

    • 3 Aluminum cans in different sizes that will fit or nest together.
    • Pretty paper napkins
    • Mod podge or white glue
    • White craft or chalk or spray paint
    • Twine for outdoor use
    • A large nail and a hammer (or an electric drill)
    • Scissors
    • Nail file or sandpaper
    Tin cans painted white.

    How to Make Tin Can Wind Chimes

    Paint your cans with white paint. I used chalk paint mainly because it dries quickly. Spray paint would be pretty quick too. The white paint will make a nice backing for the napkins.

    Hammering a large nail in the lid of a can.

    Punch a hole in the middle large enough to feed the twine through. Alternatively, you can use a drill for this part.

    Pulling the backing paper of a floral napkin off.

    Separate the napkins removing the plain backing paper.

    Gluing a decorative napkin to the sides of a large can.

    Cut the napkin to cover the can leaving a little bit of extra paper on top and bottom.

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    Apply mod podge or thinned white glue to the can and carefully place your napkin on top smoothing as you go.

    Adding mod podge to the top of the napkin glued to a tin can.

    Then coat the top of the napkin with more glue.

    A nail file is used to file off the extra napkin from the top edge of the tin can.

    Next, use a nail file or a piece of sandpaper to file off the extra napkin paper on the top and bottom.

    Protective polyurethane is sprayed outdoors on the cans.

    Use a couple of coats of polyurethane spray to protect the cans.

    A piece of masking tape marks the place you want the second and where you can place a knot.

    Thread the twine through the largest can first leaving enough twine to hang the wind chime and then tie a knot inside under the hole to hold it in place.

    For the next can try using a piece of masking tape to mark where you want the knot so that the large can just overlaps. Then push the second can out of the way to tie the knot at that spot.

    Tin can wind chimes complete and hanging in front of a chalkboard.

    You can overlap the cans as much or as little as you like.

    Hang them on your porch or patio for all to enjoy.

    Note: These cans do make a noise but it's not the twinkling noise of a typical wind chime. However, you could add some bells or shells or anything you like at the bottom for extra musical sound.

    DIY wind chimes with cans hanging outside.

    I think they look pretty just as they are.

    Patti signature

    More Tin Can Projects

    • Tin Can Upcycled Organizer
    • Tin Can Pendant Lights
    • Sea Glass Garden Ornament
    Set of three cans hanging nested inside each other to create a decorative wind chime.
    Three tin cans in descending sizes hanging from twine.
    Print

    Tin Can Wind Chimes

    Make beautiful outdoor decorations with this wind chime craft, basic tin cans, and pretty napkins.
    Prep Time1 hour hr
    Active Time1 hour hr
    1 hour hr
    Total Time3 hours hrs
    Cost: $5

    Equipment

    • Hammer
    • large nail
    • Scissors
    • Sponge brushes
    • Nail file or sandpaper

    Materials

    • Tin cans in 3 descending sizes
    • Napkins
    • Mod Podge
    • White Craft Paint or Chalk Paint
    • Polyurethane spray sealer
    • Garden Twine

    Instructions

    • Clean the cans and remove the labels.
    • Paint the bottom and sides with white paint
    • Use a hammer and nail to make a hole in the center of the bottom of each can, large enough to thread your twine.
    • Separate your napkins into 1 ply.
    • Carefully glue the napkins onto the cans with mod podge or watered down white glue. Leave a little overhang on the top and bottom.
    • Coat the top of the napkins with more mod podge or glue.
    • Use a nail file or sandpaper to file off the extra napkin on the edges.
    • Spray each can with a couple of coats of polyurethane to protect them
    • Thread a long piece of twine through the largest can from the bottom.
    • Leave enough twine to hang the windchime from and then tie a knot underneath to hold the can in place.
    • Thread the next largest can under the first can.
    • See where you want it to hang and place a small piece of tape there. Then pull the thread back out to tie a knot where the tape is.
    • Thread the last can and this time you'll just have to work with the twine to make a third knot to hold it at the spot you like.
    • Trim off the excess twine under the 3rd can.
    • Tie a loop at the top and hang it where you like.

    Notes

    These cans knock around and make a sound but not like a typical windchime. Feel free to add some shells, bells, metal washers, or other things to the bottom for a more whimsical sound.
    Polyurethane will help with the elements. However, you should try to make sure it is hung in a place where there is some protection and bring it indoors during the winter.
    Though I used a basic hammer and a nail for the holes you could use a drill and the appropriate-sized drill bit for the holes.
    Tried this project?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Debbie Kolego

      January 13, 2025 at 7:16 pm

      I love the tin can chimes and am doing this for a church project.
      Can you tell me what size cans you used. I appreciate your response.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        January 14, 2025 at 8:24 am

        ​Debbie, the largest was a big (30 oz) coffee can, the second was a large (28 oz) can of vegetables, and the third was a soup can or a smaller vegetable can. You can use whatever you have or find and make sure they decrease in size.

        Reply
    2. Candy

      July 07, 2024 at 4:47 pm

      How did you remove the glue from the can

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 08, 2024 at 6:58 am

        Candy, I often just use dish detergent and hot water but if that doesn't work try nail polish remover or acetone.

        Reply
    3. Karen Salvador

      December 17, 2023 at 11:08 pm

      I love these!! Will be s saving some cans for this project. Great job!!!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 18, 2023 at 8:14 am

        Glad you like the project Karen.

        Reply
    4. Frances Moody

      December 02, 2023 at 4:19 pm

      Are they a video that explains how to put the string on the cans.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 02, 2023 at 7:17 pm

        Frances, I'm sorry I did not create a video for this post but hopefully, you should not have too much trouble.

        Reply

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