Sea Glass & Seashell Wind Chime DIY

Learn how to make a seashell and sea glass wind chime with simple materials in just an afternoon. This wind chime was inspired by the movie, "The Choice." This DIY wind chime not only makes a relaxing bit of music when the wind blows but it looks beautiful too.

Have you read any Nicholas Sparks books? Or, have you seen any of his movies? Surely you have at least heard of "The Notebook." Well, I like them very much and in a world of negativity and sadness, there's nothing like a Nicholas Sparks story to lift the spirit.

You see these stories always have a happy ending. I like that, and while I was watching "The Choice" recently on TV, I was inspired to make a seashell & sea glass wind chime. Just in case you ever want to watch it, I won't spoil the significance of the wind chime. 

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Supplies

• Clear Fishing Line
• Seashells (with holes drilled through the top)
• Sea glass pieces
• A small empty can with the lid removed
• Chain for hanging (you could use wire or twine)
• Beads (optional)
• Paint to cover the can (optional)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Chances are that you already have everything you need to make this project. I really love sea glass crafts and I knew that I had some pretty sea glass leftover from my Sea Glass Garden Ornament project.

I also had leftover chains from the Hanging Fruit Basket Challenge. Anyone who has ever fished probably has a slew of fishing line, and I used an empty clam can to hang the strands of seashells and glass.

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How to Make a Seashell and Sea Glass Wind Chime

Step 1

Layout your shells and sea glass in a pattern. This is where your creativity can shine. Make them as long or short as you wish. You need to make sure that there are enough strands close together so that they hit each other in order to make the chime sound.

Step 2

Puncture a hole just large enough to fit the chain through, using a screwdriver and hammer. No drill is needed.

Step 3

Use a little tape to secure the chain. I used duct tape but any strong tape should work.

Step 4

Measure the can, and divide the circumference by the number of strands you want to make. I chose to make 5 strands, and my can was 10.5 inches, so 10.5 /5 equals 2.1 inches. Place a dot just past 2 inches all around.

Then make a hole at each dot. I tried a nail and hammer but that was difficult. Believe it or not, a paper hole punch worked. It really doesn't matter how you make the holes though. You could even drill them.

Step 5

Make a small hole at the top of each shell with a thin nail and a hammer. Do this from the inside with the shell on a table to prevent breakage. Start with a shell you don't like to practice and then continue with the rest. You can also drill holes with a small drill bit for this step.

Step 6

Cut a piece of fishing line to a length several inches above your shell pattern and below. You can always cut the excess later.

Tape down the fishing line to a table, leaving several inches above the tape.

Then thread your first shell, starting at the top. Hold the shell and fishing line in place with your thumb and fingers, and place a drop of hot glue on the inside of the drilled hole, on top of the fishing line. Hold for a few seconds and set down.

Take the next shell and space it a few inches below the first one, leaving room for the sea glass, and place a drop of glue over the inside hole and fishing line.

Continue until you are finished with the strand. Repeat the process with the other strands.

Step 7

Add the sea glass by placing a line of hot glue on the glass and setting it in place under the fishing line. Add additional glue on top of the fishing line.

At the bottom, you can add a bead, by threading through the fishing line and tying it off with a double knot.

Step 8

Paint the can with craft paint if desired, then once dry thread the top of the strands through the holes in the can at the length you want and tie off with a couple of knots.

Hang your beautiful Seashell & Sea Glass Wind Chime on the porch or patio and enjoy.

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4.67 from 3 votes

How to Make a Seashell and Sea Glass Wind Chime

Create a beautiful and inexpensive seashell and sea glass wind chime with this easy project.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Active Time45 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr

Course: DIY Projects

Yield: 1 Wind Chime

Author: Patti Estep

Cost: $10

Equipment

• Screwdriver or hammer
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Materials

• Clear Fishing Line
• Seashells
• Sea glass pieces
• Small empty can with the lid removed
• Chain for hanging
• Beads optional
• Paint to cover the can optional

Instructions

• Layout your shells and sea glass in a pattern.
• Puncture a hole just large enough to fit the chain through, using a screwdriver and hammer.
• Use a little tape to secure the chain.
• Measure the can, and divide the circumference by the number of strands you want to make. 
• Place a dot just past 2 inches all around.
• Make a hole at each dot.
• Make a small hole at the top of each shell with a thin nail and a hammer. Do this from the inside with the shell on a table to prevent breakage. Start with a shell you don't like to practice and then continue with the rest. Or use a drill to make the holes.
• Cut a piece of fishing line to a length several inches above your shell pattern and below. 
• Tape down the fishing line leaving several inches above the tape, to a table.
• Thread your first shell, starting at the top.
• Place a drop of hot glue on the inside of the drilled hole, on top of the fishing line. 
• Take the next shell and space it a few inches below the first one, leaving room for the sea glass, and place a drop of glue over the inside hole and fishing line.
• Continue until you are finished with the strand. Repeat the process with the other strands.
• Add the sea glass by placing a line of hot glue on the glass and setting it in place under the fishing line.
• Add additional glue on top of the fishing line.
• At the bottom, you can add a bead, by threading through the fishing line and tying it off with a double knot.
• Paint the can with craft paint if desired, then once dry thread the top of the strands through the holes in the can at the length you want and tie off with a couple of knots.

Notes

You could use a heavy adhesive such as E6000 however you will need to wait longer for the glue to dry.