Ok, so I made it a few months ago and I kind of failed at science but it felt good to do.
I shall craft again but a broken sewing machine, a new job, new house and life in general is posing a bit of a crafting hurdle. I ain’t complaining.
It’s a wind chime made from an old xylophone that I took apart. I saw the idea online, maybe Craftster? Sorry to not give specific credit. I loved the idea and found a great/cheap old xylophone at Brimfield. During one of our craft group sessions I brought the old toy and used a fellow members amazing stash of scrounged items to make the base and handle. I tied the metal “notes” onto a sieve and the handle is made from a potato masher (I think that’s what it was).
I proudly hung it from our side porch where it promptly became overshadowed by our neighbors bamboo chimes. As my son said, “I like the way ours looks better but theirs sure sounds better!” So I pondered aloud why my little chimes were getting blown away (ba-dum-cha) and my wise 7 year old son said, “Probably because your chimes have holes in them. The wind just goes right through them.” DUH. Ah yes, of course.
So here is my beautiful hanging sculpture or maybe I could call it a hurricane alerter? As in, “If the wind is strong enough to blow momma’s chimes, head for the basement!” kind of thing.
What have you made lately? I need some inspiration. Link to your Flickr or blog if you’ve got something to share!
Paper Dolls for Boys 
It looks great! The handle is a pastry blender (though I bet it would work great for mashing potatoes–if it weren’t busy being a windchime). Maybe you could add more notes? If you want it to chime, I mean.
My recent crafts are all half-finished. Which is kind of the story of my life. I have a baby quilt/playmat all laid out and pieced and just waiting for binding, but I tried to colormatch without actually bringing it with me and wound up with totally unsuitable fabric. I have embroidery (Wee Wonderfuls Acorn Fairy) in the hoop and knitting (wool diaper covers) on the needles and clothing for me and the kids cut out but not sewn.
My goodness, I sound hopeless when I write it all out like that.
Japanese bells are usually heavy cast little shapes, I like one’s that look like a turtle or something cute. Anyway, the way they get them to ring in the wind is they tie a string to the little dinger thing in the middle, then attach a long piece of paper, usually it has some kind of japanese writing on it that with a good luck saying or something.
Here’s a photo of one http://bit.ly/aQdeP
Since your chimes already have holes, it would be easy to add. If you even put on tag on, it might be enough to start all of them banging into each other.
Oh, I like those chimes. That’s a good idea, thank you! I’ll see what I can come up. 🙂
I’ve made nothing but a fool out of myself. I admire your craftiness! I think that your wind chimes are beautiful – for what that’s worth.
“The prettiest birds sing the littlest songs”.
That’s all I have for ya. Good luck on the new job!
Make that “The Littlest Birds sing the prettiest songs”. It makes more sense that way.
signed,
I don’t drink. I just get mad confused.