DIY Decorative Clay Chimes + Vintage Patio Chairs

In between key renovation assignments right here in Florida, I came up with an strategy to produce decorative hanging chimes with clay. I wasn’t confident if it would do the job, but I still gave it a go. I’m delighted to say it essentially turned out fairly cool so I hung it outside around my classic patio chairs that I refurbished (story underneath).

I like the repetition in the clay circles and the resemblance to wind chimes. Reality is, these strands are not really chimes at all due to the fact they make no seem, they are seriously far more like a cell, but I affiliate a cellular with a little one nursery so I decide to simply call them chimes instead.

I can also visualize comparable strings of clay circles strung in a linear format like a macrame wall hanging. I regarded as that arrangement but chose to make these search additional like wind chimes for the decorative and sculptural outcome.

Frist, how to recreate the chimes then the speedy tale on all those classic patio chairs. I acquired all my craft provides at my local Michaels:  2 deals 2.2 lb air dry modeling clay 3 ply ivory jute twine outdoor acrylic paints in colours of decision a 9 inch wooden plaque, and craft paintbrushes. You’ll also want a rolling pin to flatten the clay wax paper circle formed household cups/cutters in several dimensions allen wrench paper bowls/cups for paint sanding wedge or foot scrubber (see image down below) ability drill with 1/8” drill little bit to make holes in wooden plaque.

Aaaaaannd… you will also will need patience for this undertaking, it took many times times from begin to complete and six hours of my time. Reducing the clay will take at the very least an hour, then you require to hold out a comprehensive working day for them to dry. The future working day you can paint them but you’ll will need to flip them more than and make it possible for both sides to dry totally. The third day you can string it jointly but that also requires a several hrs. I gave myself four comprehensive days commence to finish, coming back again to the task for an hour or two each and every working day until finally it was completed.

Under are the actions, start out to end. I’m also incorporating a video clip to Instagram much too so you can visualize how it comes collectively. First, roll a handful of ounces of clay flat, transfer to wax paper, and use cutting applications to make circles in distinctive dimensions. To cut the clay, I utilized stemless wine eyeglasses, champagne flutes, a salad dressing cap, and the cap to my deodorant to make the base oval condition.

Following the circles are minimize, use an allen wrench to pierce the clay circles with little openings. Allow them dry on refreshing lengths of wax paper for 12 hrs on each individual facet, 24 hrs full.

Hope imperfection in the outcomes, that’s element of the charm. 🙂

At the time the clay circles are completely dry, clean the edges. You can use both a medium grit sanding wedge or what I found to be improved was a pedicure foot scrubber!

At the time they are clean, paint them any coloration you choose. If hanging outdoor pick out of doors acrylic paint, if handing indoors, normal acrylic paint will be wonderful.

Outdoor acrylic paints occur in confined colors so I combined a pistachio inexperienced hue and extra it to 50 percent the circles.

It was also vivid for me so I painted about the whole circle with a slim coat of white so it would search more bleached out and beachy. The last color appears to be to me like a color you’d find in saltwater taffy. 🙂

The most time consuming aspect is the assembly. It took me a whole two hours to string all the clay in purchase then connect them to the wood plaque. I had to separate the twine and utilised 1 strand to safe the clay pieces to just about every other and 2 strands to connect to the wood plaque. Shorter strands hook up the clay circles, one particular long strand as a result of holes in the plaque come collectively to variety the prime hanging part.

To connect the strings of clay circles to the wood plaque, use a 1/8” drill bit to generate holes in the four corners, four midpoints, and middle of the wooden plaque. (not revealed). Paint it any color of choice, I chose white.

Immediately after two several hours of assembly, it arrived collectively and I hung the clay chimes outside the house. I like how it dances in the wind. I can see it from the sunroom when I peek out the window as well. It appears quite neat wanting out from the inside of of the house.

It’s a enjoyable focal stage on the patio above the vintage patio chairs. If hanging outside, I recommend hanging in a protected spot away from immediate moisture and only keeping it up for the duration of very good weather. I have no idea how lengthy this will very last, it’s an experiment. Fortunately, any free strands could be repaired with fresh new twine. 🙂

So…. the tale on the chairs! The initially week I arrived in Sarasota I had the great fortune of getting a vendor of vintage finds, a supplier who goes to area estate gross sales and grabs great items then sells them in her eBay retailer and ships across the United states. I identified her mainly because I experienced acquired a pair of vintage twin rattan headboards for our visitor room then found out she lived in the same city! I then found out she also had a pair of classic Russell Woodard midcentury chairs, woah, beloved these!

These are spun fiberglass chairs from the 1960s, the structure is so awesome. They suit the midcentury meets coastal model I’m heading for. I paid out $100 every, and they market for a large amount more on Chairish or 1st Dibs. I refinished them in two coats of Universal Spray Paint in white, then additional cushions I observed right here and in this article. I acquired different dimension cushions because the proportions of the seats are somewhat unique sizes.

Pillows from this fabulous Etsy store. Fluted pink tumblers from in this article. Coral vase/candle holder from a neighborhood store on clearance, also spray painted.

Palm clippings from my yard. Pics from my Iphone because I’m lazy. 🙂