DIY Decorative Clay Chimes + Vintage Patio Chairs

In between main renovation jobs here in Florida, I arrived up with an idea to create decorative hanging chimes with clay. I wasn’t confident if it would do the job, but I even now gave it a go. I’m pleased to say it in fact turned out rather amazing so I hung it outdoors over my classic patio chairs that I refurbished (story underneath).

I like the repetition in the clay circles and the resemblance to wind chimes. Truth is, these strands are not truly chimes at all due to the fact they make no seem, they are definitely a lot more like a cellular, but I affiliate a cellular with a newborn nursery so I decide to call them chimes as a substitute.

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

Frist, how to recreate the chimes then the speedy story on those people classic patio chairs. I acquired all my craft materials at my community Michaels:  2 packages 2.2 lb air dry modeling clay 3 ply ivory jute twine outdoor acrylic paints in shades of decision a 9 inch wooden plaque, and craft paintbrushes. You’ll also need a rolling pin to flatten the clay wax paper circle shaped residence cups/cutters in numerous sizes allen wrench paper bowls/cups for paint sanding wedge or foot scrubber (see impression below) electrical power drill with 1/8” drill little bit to make holes in wooden plaque.

Aaaaaannd… you will also require tolerance for this job, it took a number of days times from start to complete and six hours of my time. Cutting the clay requires at the very least an hour, then you have to have to hold out a full working day for them to dry. The following working day you can paint them but you are going to need to have to flip them more than and allow for each sides to dry thoroughly. The 3rd working day you can string it jointly but that also usually takes a several several hours. I gave myself four complete days start to end, coming again to the undertaking for an hour or two each day until eventually it was completed.

Beneath are the actions, start out to finish. I’m also adding a video clip to Instagram also so you can visualize how it arrives collectively. 1st, roll a couple ounces of clay flat, transfer to wax paper, and use slicing resources to make circles in different sizes. To slash the clay, I made use of stemless wine glasses, champagne flutes, a salad dressing cap, and the cap to my deodorant to make the bottom oval condition.

Right after the circles are minimize, use an allen wrench to pierce the clay circles with small openings. Enable them dry on clean lengths of wax paper for 12 several hours on each aspect, 24 hrs full.

Count on imperfection in the results, which is element of the appeal. 🙂

At the time the clay circles are completely dry, easy the edges. You can use either a medium grit sanding wedge or what I located to be much better was a pedicure foot scrubber!

As soon as they are easy, paint them any colour you pick. If hanging outdoor choose outside acrylic paint, if handing indoors, standard acrylic paint will be fantastic.

Out of doors acrylic paints arrive in confined shades so I blended a pistachio inexperienced hue and extra it to 50 percent the circles.

It was way too vivid for me so I painted about the full circle with a thin coat of white so it would seem a lot more bleached out and beachy. The last color appears to be to me like a coloration you’d obtain in saltwater taffy. 🙂

The most time consuming part is the assembly. It took me a complete two hours to string all the clay in order then link them to the wood plaque. I experienced to different the twine and made use of 1 strand to protected the clay parts to just about every other and 2 strands to connect to the wood plaque. Small strands connect the clay circles, 1 extended strand through holes in the plaque appear collectively to sort the major hanging part.

To connect the strings of clay circles to the wooden plaque, use a 1/8” drill bit to produce holes in the four corners, 4 midpoints, and middle of the wooden plaque. (not demonstrated). Paint it any coloration of alternative, I selected white.

Following two hours of assembly, it arrived with each other and I hung the clay chimes outside. I enjoy how it dances in the wind. I can see it from the sunroom when I peek out the window as well. It seems to be quite neat on the lookout out from the within of the residence.

It’s a exciting focal issue on the patio higher than the classic patio chairs. If hanging outside, I recommend hanging in a guarded spot away from direct humidity and only maintaining it up throughout good weather conditions. I have no strategy how lengthy this will very last, it’s an experiment. Thankfully, any loose strands could be fixed with fresh new twine. 🙂

So…. the story on the chairs! The initial week I arrived in Sarasota I had the very good fortune of identifying a seller of vintage finds, a dealer who goes to local estate profits and grabs excellent items then sells them in her eBay shop and ships throughout the United states of america. I observed her because I had purchased a pair of classic twin rattan headboards for our guest space then found she lived in the identical town! I then discovered she also had a pair of classic Russell Woodard midcentury chairs, woah, loved these!

These are spun fiberglass chairs from the 1960s, the style and design is so great. They match the midcentury meets coastal style I’m likely for. I paid out $100 every, and they promote for a lot far more on Chairish or 1st Dibs. I refinished them in two coats of Universal Spray Paint in white, then added cushions I found right here and right here. I bought distinct measurement cushions due to the fact the dimensions of the seats are a bit different sizes.

Pillows from this amazing Etsy store. Fluted pink tumblers from right here. Coral vase/candle holder from a local shop on clearance, also spray painted.

Palm clippings from my lawn. Photographs from my Apple iphone simply because I’m lazy. 🙂