DIY Decorative Clay Chimes + Vintage Patio Chairs

In among significant renovation assignments here in Florida, I arrived up with an notion to build ornamental hanging chimes with clay. I was not positive if it would get the job done, but I continue to gave it a go. I’m delighted to say it actually turned out very awesome so I hung it outdoors around my vintage patio chairs that I refurbished (tale below).

I like the repetition in the clay circles and the resemblance to wind chimes. Reality is, these strands are not definitely chimes at all given that they make no seem, they are really much more like a cell, but I associate a cell with a child nursery so I determine to simply call them chimes instead.

I can also visualize similar strings of clay circles strung in a linear structure like a macrame wall hanging. I thought of that arrangement but selected to make these search a lot more like wind chimes for the attractive and sculptural effect.

Frist, how to recreate the chimes then the fast story on those people classic patio chairs. I bought all my craft provides at my nearby Michaels:  2 packages 2.2 lb air dry modeling clay 3 ply ivory jute twine out of doors acrylic paints in shades of selection a 9 inch wooden plaque, and craft paintbrushes. You are going to also need to have a rolling pin to flatten the clay wax paper circle formed domestic cups/cutters in a variety of measurements allen wrench paper bowls/cups for paint sanding wedge or foot scrubber (see graphic down below) energy drill with 1/8” drill little bit to make holes in wood plaque.

Aaaaaannd… you are going to also will need persistence for this task, it took quite a few days days from start off to complete and six hrs of my time. Slicing the clay will take at the very least an hour, then you have to have to wait around a entire working day for them to dry. The future day you can paint them but you will have to have to flip them above and let each sides to dry entirely. The third day you can string it together but that also requires a few hours. I gave myself four complete times commence to complete, coming again to the project for an hour or two just about every working day till it was concluded.

Below are the methods, get started to finish. I’m also incorporating a video to Instagram way too so you can visualize how it will come collectively. 1st, roll a few ounces of clay flat, transfer to wax paper, and use slicing applications to make circles in various sizes. To slash the clay, I employed stemless wine glasses, champagne flutes, a salad dressing cap, and the cap to my deodorant to make the bottom oval shape.

 

Immediately after the circles are slice, use an allen wrench to pierce the clay circles with modest openings. Let them dry on fresh new lengths of wax paper for 12 several hours on just about every aspect, 24 hrs overall.

 

Expect imperfection in the final results, that’s component of the allure. 🙂

When the clay circles are completely dry, sleek the edges. You can use both a medium grit sanding wedge or what I observed to be far better was a pedicure foot scrubber!

At the time they are easy, paint them any color you choose. If hanging outside pick out outdoor acrylic paint, if handing indoors, typical acrylic paint will be good.

Outside acrylic paints appear in restricted shades so I mixed a pistachio green hue and additional 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 seem much more bleached out and beachy. The closing coloration seems to me like a colour you’d uncover in saltwater taffy. 🙂

The most time consuming part is the assembly. It took me a total two hrs to string all the clay in buy then connect them to the wood plaque. I experienced to separate the twine and applied 1 strand to protected the clay items to just about every other and 2 strands to connect to the wooden plaque. Shorter strands hook up the clay circles, a single extended strand by means of holes in the plaque occur together to kind the top rated hanging portion.

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

After two several hours of assembly, it arrived collectively and I hung the clay chimes outdoors. I appreciate how it dances in the wind. I can see it from the sunroom when I peek out the window also. It seems quite great hunting out from the inside of of the property.

It is a entertaining focal position on the patio earlier mentioned the vintage patio chairs. If hanging outdoor, I endorse hanging in a protected place absent from immediate humidity and only trying to keep it up during good temperature. I have no idea how long this will very last, it’s an experiment. Fortunately, any loose strands could be repaired with contemporary twine. 🙂

So…. the story on the chairs! The initial 7 days I arrived in Sarasota I had the very good fortune of finding a seller of vintage finds, a vendor who goes to nearby estate product sales and grabs good pieces then sells them in her eBay retailer and ships across the Usa. I observed her simply because I had purchased a pair of classic twin rattan headboards for our visitor space then discovered she lived in the exact same city! I then learned she also had a pair of vintage Russell Woodard midcentury chairs, woah, cherished these!

These are spun fiberglass chairs from the 1960s, the structure is so neat. They fit the midcentury satisfies coastal design I’m going for. I compensated $100 each and every, and they offer for a large amount additional on Chairish or 1st Dibs. I refinished them in two coats of Universal Spray Paint in white, then additional cushions I found in this article and in this article. I bought distinct measurement cushions since the proportions of the seats are slightly distinct dimensions.

Pillows from this wonderful Etsy shop. Fluted pink tumblers from listed here. Coral vase/candle holder from a neighborhood shop on clearance, also spray painted.

Palm clippings from my lawn. Photos from my Apple iphone since I’m lazy. 🙂