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Three tin cans in descending sizes hanging from twine.
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3.82 from 11 votes

Tin Can Wind Chimes

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

Equipment

Materials

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