There are few sounds as hypnotic as the rustling of wind chimes. Wind chimes made from seashells have a particularly relaxing quality that instantly brings to mind breezy, carefree days at the beach. Now, you can feel like you're vacationing by the shore every day when you make your own seashell wind chime. You won't believe how easy it is to assemble. With just some seashells, beads and string, you'll be able to make one in no time — and you might even say it's a breeze.
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Things You'll Need
Seashells
Drill
Hemp cord or twine
Beads
Large starfish
Key ring
Step 1: Drill Holes in the Seashells
Drill a hole in each seashell. I used an electric drill with a 7/64 drill bit. The hole should be small but still large enough for the string to go through it. Drill the shell on an empty cardboard box so that the drill bit goes into the box after it creates a hole in the shell.
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Step 2: Cut Pieces of Twine
To connect the seashells, cut six 24-inch lengths of hemp cord or twine. (The string will be much longer than you'll actually need, but it's better to have extra, as you will cut off the excess later.) There are six lengths of seashells in each wind chime — one for each of the five arms of the starfish and one for the center. You can also use plain string or even fishing line, but I like how the rustic look of the hemp coordinates with the seashells. It reminds me of a fishing net.
Step 3: Thread a Seashell
Starting with one of the pieces of twine, tie a large double knot at the bottom. The knot needs to be larger than the hole in the seashells.
Thread the twine through the hole in one of your seashells. Let the seashell slide down the twine until it rests on the knot.
Step 4: Add Beads
After stringing the first seashell, thread a bead and slide it down until it rests on top of the shell. Beads are completely optional, but because the shells are usually pale and monochromatic, the beads add a nice pop of color. Just be sure that the holes in the beads are large enough to accommodate the twine. You can add one or several beads to each shell.
Step 5: Complete the String
Once you've strung the first shell and bead, continue to finish the string. About 3 inches above the first shell, tie another large double knot.
String another shell on the twine and slide it down until it rests on the knot.
Then, add a bead on top of that shell.
Continue until you have four shells and beads on the twine. Repeat this process for all six of your strings so that you will have six strings of four shells each. (If you'd like, you can add more shells for a longer wind chime.)
Tip
For the sixth string that will go in the center, you may want to string extra shells so it is slightly longer than the other strings that will hang from the starfish arms.
Step 6: Drill Holes in the Starfish
A large starfish that is about 6 inches in diameter makes the perfect suspension platform for the wind chime. One length of stringed seashells will hang from each of the five arms, while one hangs from the center. Drill a hole at the tip of the five arms and at the center.
Step 7: Hang the Stringed Seashells
For the seashells on the five arms, thread the twine through the bottom of the hole in the arm. Tie a large double knot above the starfish arm so the string hangs securely. Do this for all five arms. Cut off the excess string.
Step 8: Hang the Middle String
The middle string of seashells hangs differently from the others. Instead of hanging down from an arm, the middle string is pulled up. Therefore, after threading the string through the hole in the center, tie a large double knot below the starfish instead of above it. This way, when you hold the middle string, the knot stops the seashells from rising up.
Step 9: Add a Hanging Loop
Tie the middle string to a key ring, which will act as the hanging loop for the wind chime.
Hang your wind chime and let the gentle sounds transport you to paradise.
