11 enchanting ideas to create wind chimes by recycling almost anything

Wind chimes (or wind rattles) are an outdoor decoration that takes the shape of an ancient musical instrument: hollow tubes with openings designed to make them rattle by air blowing through them. They have their origin in ancient history and after millennia, they continue to fascinate us: there is something magical in the act of transforming the movement of the wind into a pleasant sound.

Inspired by these instruments, it is possible to create many decorations with a similar shape that do not always produce an equally wonderful sound, but they are certainly beautiful to be viewed while dancing on the wings of the wind. Below you will find some DIY ideas which use the recycling of various objects to make a wind chime.

With copper pipes (perhaps leftovers from a plumbing project), you can recreate a real wind chime: the pipes shoudl have different lengths (which creates a specific note) and are be hung from a circle above them.

A very nice idea, for those who know how to cut glass bottles, is to cut off their bottoms in order to hang them from inside with cord decorated with beads (of wood, glass, metal, etc ...) which then protrudes out from the open bottom, with a pendant affixed to the end. This pendant knocking against the glass will produce a sound when it is moved by the wind, just like the clapper in a bell.

In a similar way, glass jars can also be recycled and the pendant / clapper decoration does not necessarily have to be the only one in the center: there can be many pendants, decorated with pebbles and beads!

How about using old, painted wooden ladles - this item is more decorative than anything else, but it sure does attract attention!

And why not use old cutlery?

Or even the struts / spindles from the center of a back of an old chair - use the milled ones that have a vintage look!

Copper discs (produced by using a hydraulic press or something similar, or they can also be obtained by using old coins) hanging from a branch: they are beautiful and the thinner they are, the more they will tinkle in a pleasant way when moved by the wind.

Even using terracotta pots you can create a wind chime: there are those who put pots of decreasing size along a cord or chain (a chain is more weather-resistant) to create a totally unique wind chime. 

Chains of faux pearls from which old keys are hung: a wind chime decoration with a decidedly shabby chic charm.

Chains with a bit of everything attached: watches, keys, shells, padlocks ... an eclectic and fascinating mixture.

Wooden discs: the "silent" alternative - or nearly - to copper discs!

Would you like to create wind chimes like these?