Upcycling is a method of converting old or useless items into something new or valuable again. This is a popular trend in the green movement, as it is an extension of the “reuse” portion of the mantra, “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
One item that is easily made at home through upcycling is a wind chime. Wind chimes can be bought easily, but making them with what many deem as trash is a fun exercise, especially for kids. There are many ways to go about this, depending on what upcycling supplies you have at your disposal.
If you have an empty, used tin can, you have an easy wind chime project at your finger tips. Just clean the tin along with its lid. Paint designs over the can, add decorations such as glitter or beads, and let dry.
Using a nail and hammer, poke a hole through the can’s bottom and the can’s lid. Take some string and thread it through the holes, keeping the tin on top and the lid dangling below and barely touching it. Make a knot at both ends and hang up your creation outside.
Another wind chime craft can be created using a wide array of tin can lids in many different sizes. First clean the lids thoroughly and paint them however you like. Next, poke holes in the center of all the lids with a nail and hammer.
Take string and thread it through the holes, making strings of tin lids spaces a few inches apart. Make several of these strings, then tie them together at the top, and you have a simple but attractive wind chime to hang at your home.
Another easy wind chime project can be accomplished with empty soda cans. Rinse and dry the cans, then paint the outside. Attach strings to the tabs of each can and secure the other ends of the strings to a coat hanger. The cans should overlap just a little so they produce a nice wind chime sound when the wind blows.
Editor’s Note: While using tin lids is a good way to upcycle, caution is needed when working with them. Tin lids may have sharp edges. Children should not complete this project without adult supervision.
