How to Make a Windchime...With Keys

Fall is upon us.  I'm convinced, since I could hear the dry leaves rustling as they blew down the street yesterday - even though the temperature was in the high 80s and it was humid!  In spite of that, the project list is growing and I wanted to share this quick and easy one before I got tied-up with the bigger ones.

I found some old keys and embroidery hoops at the flea market and immediately thought, "Windchime"!

This is a very easy project.  You need keys, a small embroidery hoop, a pen, fishing line, and a lit candle.

I started by deciding how to space the keys (I used 10) around the hoop and marked each spot with a dot from a pen.  I drilled the holes, sanded any rough edges, and was ready for the next step.

I cut a length of fishing line and tied it to each key.  I melted the end in the candle flame to keep the knot from slipping - an old trick that my Dad taught me!

Then, the other end of the fishing line was threaded through a hole drilled in the embroidery hoop, knotted, and melted in the candle flame. Repeat 9 more times. 

I cut 2 more lengths of fishing line, threaded them through opposite holes, lifted them and the windchime.  When it looked balanced, I made a knot and, once again, melted the ends in the flame.  

Done!

Here's a close-up of the keys:

This is an easy project that can be completed in under one hour.  So, the next time you see old keys, grab them!

I also made another one since I bought 20 keys and 2 hoops. 

My husband says I should sell this one.

That's all for today.  I have lots of work waiting for me...it involves scraping, sanding, glazing, and painting.  With the hot weather predicted for today, I think the cool basement sounds like a great place to be!

If you like this project, I hope you'll follow The Apple Street Cottage to see more, and, don't forget to share!

Have a great week and thank you for stopping by the Cottage!