Just like my silver tray clock, a rolling pin project has been on my project to-do list for quite some time. It feels great to finally repurpose one of the 16 in my collection.
One down and only 15 more to go. lol.
Now even though I’m an avid eater of pastries, pies, and other baked goodies I am so not a serious baker. I’d much rather enjoy someone else’s talents in that area.
I’m into muffins, and sometimes chocolate chip cookies, and that’s about it for my baking skills. I can’t even remember the last time I rolled some dough. It was probably with my mother, who was and still is an avid baker, when I was little.
But I do have a thing for wooden rolling pins… especially vintage ones.
For this wind chime all you need is a wooden rolling pin, some silverware to use for chimes, a thrifted multi-strand necklace, and some screw eyes.
This is one of the easier wind chime projects that I’ve shared so I’m hoping some of you will give it a roll. 🙂
To see a tutorial on how to flatten, stamp, and drill holes into silverware check out my hand stamped spoon bookmark.
Silver plate spoons still sound nice if they’re not flattened so you could skip that, and the stamping as well if you like, and just drill holes into the handles.
The first thing to do is figure out where you want your spoon chimes to hang.
The main body of this rolling pin was 9″ long so I marked the middle and then measured out from there. I’m having five chimes about 1 1/2″ apart.
You can put them as close or as far apart as you like, but just make sure they’re close enough to touch each other in the breeze or there won’t be any chiming.
Then drill some small holes where the pencil marks are, making sure to use a bit that is a little smaller than the size of the screw eye so you have a nice tight fit.
Then install the screw eyes, using a nail to turn them so you don’t hurt your fingers.
Here’s what it looks like with all screw eyes installed on what will be the bottom.
Next you need something to hang your spoons from.
I went to my every changing necklace window valance in my craft studio and found this lovely multi-strand necklace.
The earthy tones looked kinda fall-ish to me.
When I took the necklace apart here’s what I had to work with… six 18″ chains… for $1 total.
The rings were large enough that I could attach them to the screw eyes by opening and closing them with needle nose pliers.
After I had all the necklace bits attached I was pondering what to do with the rolling pin because it looked kinda plain to me.
So after much thought I decided to spray it with a protector/sealer.
This not only protects the rolling pin if I hang it outside, but it also brings out the beautiful wood grain.
Here’s the way the rolling pin looked originally, kinda pale and washed out.
And after spraying… it’s a subtle difference, but the wood grain pops nicely now.
I’m a balance loving kinda girl so I lined up the two top screw eyes for the hangers with the two outside bottom screw eyes. That’s just how my mind works.
If I went any wider or narrower it would look out of whack to me, but that’s just my hang up. Do whatever looks right to you.
Of course I had to add my signature wind chime piece to top it off, which is a vintage glass chandelier crystal.
Many of my chimes have the words peace, joy, love, faith, and hope on them.
These are five of my favourite words.
When it comes to projects I often don’t know when to say when, and I had thoughts of stenciling something onto the wood.
I’m so glad that I restrained myself and left it natural, especially after I sprayed it. The wood grain is really beautiful, even more so in person than in the photos.
What do you think? Would you leave it natural too?
Before I go I have to show you a fabulous rolling pin project emailed to me by a reader after I mentioned my collection in a thrifted finds post. I told Linda, who isn’t a blogger, that I had a rolling pin project coming up and asked if I could share hers as well. She very graciously agreed, and I’m so happy that she did. I absolutely love that spoons were used to hold the rolling pin. Isn’t it fabulous?
Thanks so much Linda for letting me share your project with my readers.
Don’t forget to pin it!
If you enjoyed this post you’ll love this one!
Repuprosed Rolling Pin Window Valance
Thanks so much for reading and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
Super creative and cute Tuula. Have a great week.
Kris
Thanks very much Kris!
What a great wind chime. I also have rolling pin collection but just don’t have the heart to repurpose them buy making holes as I still use my rolling pins, not all, but some. I do like that rolling pin towel holder tho and using old spoons as the holder. Thanks Linda for sharing your rolling pin inspiration
I wonder how it would sound by using wooden spoons as chimes maybe getting a faux ‘bamboo’ chime.
I so get that Colleen… that you don’t want to put holes in some of your rolling pins. There are some things I don’t want to alter in any way, and others that I feel the need to turn into something else. I just go with whatever I feel. It’s really a personal thing.
Your rolling pin wind chime is adorable and very original! And I think it looks best natural since the necklace bits adds all the glam and glitter!
Thanks so much Gail! That’s exactly what I was hoping for. I didn’t want to tart it up too much. lol.
Love it!! Love Linda’s, too! You did well to stop where you did….it couldn’t be more perfect! Dona
Thanks very much Dona! Restraint is not always my thing, but once in a while I can manage it. lol.
Another beauty! I LOVE your creativity in repurposing wonderful old vintage things and giving them brand new lives!
Thanks Lori! Repurposing things is the most fun for me when it comes to projects. I really enjoy using things in a new way.
Love this!
Thanks very much Cindy!
I love your rolling pin project! I like the natural look too, but it’s a little tempting to maybe woodburn a “rolling on” or “keep on keepin on” . Thanks so much for sharing my rolling pin towel holder! It’s great for those that want to leave the rolling pin unharmed! After seeing your spoons and going back to your tutorial on stamping them, I think I’l give them a try….maybe with some cookie cutters in between.
Thanks again for all your great ideas and all the tutorials!!!!
Thanks again Linda for letting me share your wonderful towel holder. I really love it! You have no idea how difficult it was for me to not put something on that wood, but after I sprayed it and saw the beautiful grain I was glad I didn’t. There’s always the next one. lol.
Tuula strikes again! Love it, clever lady.
Thanks so much Tina!
I love the rolling pin wind chime. Either way I would have liked the rolling pin plain or stenciled. Like Linda’s towel bar idea too. Pinned both.
Thanks so much Florence! I might just have to try the stencil on the next rolling pin project. Thanks so much for pinning!
When I saw your parts for this project I could not even imagine in my mind the finished project. I LOVE it and it seems easy enough to do. I just don’t have your imagination for things like this but I am a good copier! I also bake ALOT!!!
Thanks AnnMarie! It is pretty easy to put together. I know how much you love to bake and I still have to try to make your New Jersey Crumb Cake. It looked so delicious.
I HAVE MY MOTHER’S ROLLING PIN FROM WW11 AND I USE IT……. I FOUND (2 ,,,1 STILL IN BOX.) SUGAR SCUTTLES, WITH SCOOPS, SILVER-PLATED, GOLD COLOR INSIDE, FOR ABOUT $3 AT A LOCAL THRIFT STORE. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THESE? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF A VALUE?
Hi Clinita. That sugar scuttle sounds like a great find. I’ve seen some like you describe but have never bought one. WHen I don’t see something in person it’s hard to give an accurate value because it depends on many factor such as age, rarity of the piece, the maker, and of course its condition. If it has a maker mark that gives you a place to start with doing a google search. You could also do a search on ebay or etsy to see what similar scuttles are selling for. I hope that helps.
It’s wonderful, Tuula and I really loved the stamped words 😉
Thanks Cecilia! No matter how many wind chimes I make I still enjoy it just as much as when I made the first one.
Tuula, thanks so much for sharing your beautiful chimes at Vintage Charm–pinned to our features & favorites!
Thanks so much Cecilia!
Dead brilliant! I’m now thinking of adding some of these to my Christmas gift list. Thanks for sharing
You’re so welcome Donna! I’m so glad my wind chime has inspired you.
Really cute Tuula! Love the idea sent to you by Linda as well. I love the natural rolling pin, but it might be fun to add a pop of color to the handles. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thanks so much Jann! The coloured handles are a great idea. 🙂
When I finish comment just have to print out how-to for your chimes. I too will have problem putting holes in rolling pins as some are quite vintage. Not serving any purpose out in shed in box tho as they have been since we moved into this place over 10 yrs. ago. Were stored for 2 yrs. before we bought this place, think they deserve to be out in open and appreciated. You have sure inspired me. Also love rolling pin used as towel holder.
This can be one of my winter projects to keep my hands busy instead of feeding my face.
Hope you are having wonderful Fall week
Thanks JaneEllen! We all have things that we wouldn’t want to change in any way, and that’s perfectly ok. It’s a personal choice on what to repurpose and what not to. I do agree that things we collect shouldn’t just be stored in boxes where they aren’t serving any purpose at all. We should enjoy them in whatever way we choose. 🙂
What an awesome project! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Virginia!
So clever! Love the idea of the hanging spoons. I want to hear them tinkle in the wind!
Featured you this upcoming weekend on DIY Salvaged Junk Projects 351. Thanks for linking up! 🙂
Thanks very much Donna! I really appreciate the feature. Flattened silverware does sound pretty sweet.