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    Home » DIY Projects

    DIY Rain Chain

    February 16, 2020 by Patti Estep 11 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Rain chain hanging from a shephard's hook
    Copper rain chain hanging on hook and rings below

    Make your own rain chain with simple items from an office supply or dollar store. Hang it from a shepherd's hook in the garden or from the corner of the house.

    Copper rain chain on a shepherd's hook

    I love the look of the copper rain chains, that you see in gardening catalogs, and on Pinterest. I believe they are Japanese in origin and have been around for hundreds of years.

    Typically, they are hung from a downspout where the runoff from the roof can be directed by the chain and in many cases collected at the bottom by a basin or rain barrel. I simply like the way they look and wondered how hard it would be to make your own rain chain.

    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 silver binder rings

    Make Your Own Rain Chain

    The ones you can purchase are pretty expensive, especially the copper ones. They tend to run into hundreds of dollars depending on how ornate they are and the materials.  Some have an intricate flower like or bell-shaped cups.

    So when I saw these binder rings at the dollar store I thought, hmmm, could I make a rain chain? I ended up buying two different sizes.

    Copper binder rings

    First I spray painted them with an indoor/outdoor spray paint in copper.

    Copper rings strung together in a pattern

    Once they dried, I played around a pattern of linking them together.

    Copper rain chain in the garden

    Since we already have some issues with our downspout I decided to hang this from a shepherd's hook in the garden. This one is only a little longer than three feet.

    Water on rain chain

    Here we tried to simulate rain but it wasn't that easy. But, I do like the way it looks. I think I might want to go out and pick up a few more binder rings to add to this one, and maybe even peg it to the ground.

    If you decided to hang yours from the gutter you can buy an installation kit. I even saw one with a little water garden feature below the rain chain. How cute is that?

    Handmade copper rain chain on shepherd's hook

    Simple, cheap, easy, and beautiful. Sometimes they are the best projects.

    Patti signature

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    Copper looking rings form a rain chain hanging on a shepherd's hook in the garden.
    Handmade copper rain chain on shepherd's hook
    Print
    5 from 1 vote

    Make Your Own Rain Chain

    Make your own beautiful DIY rain chain using binder rings from the dollar store. It's an inexpensive way to make this lovely garden decor.  
    Prep Time15 mins
    Active Time30 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 1 Rain Chain
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $5-$10

    Equipment

    • Rust-Oleum 7273830 Stops Rust PAINT, 11 oz, Copper

    Materials

    • Binder clips - 2 sizes
    • Copper Spray Paint

    Instructions

    • Spray paint the binder clips with an indoor/outdoor spray paint in copper.
    • Link them together in a pattern you like.
    • Hang it from a shepherd's hook, or downspout.

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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. gillian

      November 18, 2022 at 3:34 pm

      I found a whole bunch of these rings at the thrift store...there were a whole lot and I Paid two dollars for them. I had no idea what I would use them for but now that I have read your post you have given me an idea!!! I will try it and see how it goes!!!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        November 18, 2022 at 3:41 pm

        What a great find! Enjoy.

        Reply
    2. Nancy

      May 31, 2019 at 5:33 pm

      Perfect timing. I’ve been looking at rain chains to buy and your right, Very expensive. I’ll be looking around for those dividers and copper spray paint. I also have some copper pipes left over from plumbing project ( patina on copper) that I will try to incorporate

      Reply
    3. Lee

      May 19, 2017 at 10:54 pm

      Have you had any trouble with the painted finish coming off? How does it hold up?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 20, 2017 at 7:11 am

        Hi Lee,

        Yes, the paint looks the same as it did a year ago. I used an indoor/outdoor spray paint. I believe it was rustoleum.
        Hope that helps,
        Patti

        Reply
    4. Rose Anne Estep

      April 02, 2017 at 11:17 pm

      To funny... I was scrolling through ho w to make this and noticed your last name, Estep
      I am en Estep also through marriage...I am following you now and looking forward to more neat ideas...

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 03, 2017 at 7:09 am

        Hi Rose Ann,

        Nice to hear from another Estep. I was surprised to find that there are many. My husband's family was said to have settled in Virginia a long time ago. Even though the Esteps that I come across don't seem to be related, I'm sure we are somewhere on that big old family tree.

        Thanks for stopping by and have a great week,
        Patti

        Reply
    5. Kody Loveless

      June 22, 2016 at 10:01 am

      What a great idea. Thank you for sharing. I have never realized that you could make such a beautiful thing with just some clips. I love my rain chains I have. This Idea will be a perfect addition to my yard. I love watching the beautiful way the water flows. really works were my sprinklers are too. Always fun to watch.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        June 22, 2016 at 10:34 am

        Thanks Kody,
        This very simplified version is great for a little eye candy in the garden. I'm sure your originals are fabulous!
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    6. Ellen

      April 17, 2016 at 9:45 am

      So pretty!
      I made one hanging from my metal overhang. Just drilled a hole in the gutter ridge, clipped it on, and there you go!
      Maybe I'll take it down and spray it copper, too!
      Thanks for the idea!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        April 17, 2016 at 9:51 am

        Hi Ellen,

        That's so great! I'm so glad to hear that you are loving yours. Today we noticed own pretty the rain chain looks glistening in the sun.
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply

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