DIY Silver Goblet Wind Chimes
I’m so excited to share with you how I made my silver goblet wind chimes.
When I found a set of six small silver goblets back at the end of May I didn’t know what I was going to do with them at first, but I grabbed them because they were marked down at the thrift store from $12 to $1 for all six.
When I was carrying them to my car they were banging against each other in the bag so I took two out of the bag, held them upside down by their bottoms, and lightly touched them against each other… and they sounded just heavenly.
I knew right then and there that I had to somehow make them into wind chimes.
Now that I had all the pieces I needed all I had to do was figure out how I was going to put them together.
So I gave this a lot of thought while sitting on the back deck on a very hot and humid day having a rum cooler in my favourite pink flamingo glass.
Plan A: I tried to drill a hole into one of the goblets because my plan was to screw in eye hooks to hang the goblets. Wrong!!! This totally didn’t work, and I ended up breaking a drill bit.
Plan B: Marine Goop to the rescue again. I love this stuff! I found some small washers and glued them to the bottoms of the six small goblets and the one larger centre goblet. Then I let the glue cure for 24 hours.
This gave me time to think about how I was going to hang the goblets.
Metal ball chain? Maybe… but how would I secure it to the washers?
Fishing line? It could work, but how would I get them to hang like I wanted… all at the same length? Sounded like a nightmare to me.
I went to my old tackle box (I used to be a fisher-person years ago) to get some fishing line and there it was… a fishing leader. And suddenly I could hear my wind chimes… ding ding ding ding!!!
So I went to Canadian Tire and bought the leaders that I needed. I used some saved up Canadian Tire money instead of real cash so I saved $14.00. (Here in Canada Canadian Tire gives customers Canadian Tire money for a small percentage of every purchase.)
I hooked the leaders on to the washers on the bottoms of the goblets.
Easy peasy!
I used seven 6″ silver fishing leaders. After I attached the leaders I noticed that three of the smaller goblets were going to hang slightly longer than the other three.
A happy accident! I actually liked the look.
I used a roofing nail to hammer a hole into the centre of the silver platter. This is where the large goblet would hang.
Then I did a dry run by hanging the goblets. I had planned on hanging the small goblets from the holes along the outside of the platter, but that didn’t work because they were too far from the centre goblet and would take way too big a wind to chime.
John came up with this hanging contraption out of an old wire frame and some chain so I could put this wind chime together.
So back to the drawing board.
I removed all the goblets and hammered six holes into the silver platter, , evenly spaced and closer to the middle, and secured the loops at the tops of the leaders with straightened out heavy duty staples from my staple gun.
Once I was sure they were where I wanted them I added a dab of Marine Goop at each hole to secure in place. The holes in the punched out pattern in the platter will be used to hang some chandelier crystals.
Now it was time to put the top piece together.
I glued the bottom of the silver vase to the top side of the platter, and the final piece, a silver cat, was glued to the bottom of the platter, which is actually the very top of the wind chime. Huh?
Well that was about as clear as mud. It’ll make sense when you see the finished wind chimes… I hope.
The silver cat is in homage to our feline friends who share our house and our lives… and think they rescued us. lol. They may be right!
Then I hammered 3 holes, evenly spaced, for the 9″ leaders that would hang at the top and basically carry the whole wind chime. These leaders are used to dealing with fighting fish, so they’re totally strong enough to carry the weight.
I bent a heavy duty staple from my staple gun into a V, Put the leader top loop on it and put it through the hole from the top down. Then I bent the two ends of the staple on the underside of the platter. Once all three leaders were in place I gave the staple ends a dab of Marine Goop to secure.
This is the underside of the top platter.
Then I got a small finishing nail and hammered in holes to add the chandelier crystals. I just stuck the wire up through one small hole and then down the other.
Then I glued this top section onto the platter, temporarily securing it with duct tape. It was supposed to rain over night (and it did) so I hung the whole contraption in the shed to cure for 24 hours.
Here are some close ups.
Do you see me in the above photo? I didn’t… until I uploaded it.
I just finished this project yesterday, and it was so cool and windy that I was wearing long sleeves and a jacket. A sharp contrast to the blistering temps we had just last week.
But I am not complaining… oh no… just saying.
I hung the top leaders on the hook end of a broken belt, and then closed it with pliers.
And here are my finished wind chimes.
They measure about 30″ from the top of the hanger to the bottom of the centre silver goblet.
The goblets are very reflective…Â and play with the light just as much as the chandelier crystals.
These wind chimes sound amazing… like sweet garden music to my ears. I wish I had a video camera so that you could hear them. On non-windy days I know I’ll be touching them every time I walk by… just so I can hear them play.
Don’t forget to pin me!
Thanks so much for reading!
Have a great day!
That is just beautiful and so creative! I love it! I'll have to remember to keep my eye out for cheap silver pieces! Great job…thanks for sharing!
Blessings, Vicky
Life On Willie Mae Lane
So pretty, Tuula! What a unique piece!
This is a masterpiece Tuula!!! So, so pretty! It looks like something pictured in a high class decor magazine!
Oh my goodness Tuula!! You are amazing! I love this project and I just know these chimes sound incredible! Killer project and thank you for linking up to the Inspiration Cafe's Bloomin Marvelous party!
Genius!! I'll bet the sound is amazing.
Wow wow wow!!!! Tuula I am in love with these chimes! I am crazy for wind chimes! Just Awesome!
wow that is such a creative way to recycle, thanks for sharing the inspiration
How fabulous is that wind chime!!! I would buy that up in a second all done if I saw it! Gorgeous! Visiting from Raising Imperfection Sunday link party and following you via GFC and Hometalk!
Okay, you did it again. How do you DO this??!!?? So impressed…
-andi
Oh, this is beyond gorgeous! I see a new project in my future! You DO have a clever mind, girl!! Dona
This is such an awesome original idea!! Gotta love that CT money too…lol. I think I might scour the thrift stores for some silver! Pinning this one. Found you at Inspiration Cafe's linky party!
Tuula, how interesting and brilliant that you came up with that idea for a wind chime. Looks fun and great. I'm visiting from The Dedicated House and would love for you to visit me back.
Thanks for the fun,
Helen
Tuula, I love the way your mind works and how you see the world and things as well. This is GORGEOUS. I never would have thought to make this but now that I have seen it done, I can't help thinking what a brilliant idea it is.
Wow, such a genius idea….and sooo pretty!
This piece is so stunning!! We have several wind chimes, but I would love to hear how yours sound and I would never have noticed you in the photo, but that sure if proof of just how brilliant the goblets are. Love it and pinned!
Garden art! I love it! Wish I could hear the pretty sounds! 🙂
Oh my goodness, that is totally amazing. Wow, such sparkle and I am sure the sound is devine. Thanks for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Tuula, you are certainly persistent! And look at the amazing and unique wind chimes you got for it! Delightful!!!! So Creative!!! I would love you to join my weekly linky dyi party, TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS. Link goes live Wednesdays at 8:00 pm. Hope to see you and your sparkly wind
chimes!!!
Hi Tuula! This is probably the most beautiful and creative wind chime in the whole world! Thanks for sharing how you made it with us. I like that you share that you sometimes have to go to "Plan B"…that happens to me a lot. I also am going to write down the quote on your sidebar about the birds that are not the best singers…isn't that the truth! I am following you now. I found your blog over at Marty's "A Stroll Thru Life" blog party.
What a great idea it's a masterpiece.
Denise
Brilliant idea, I love the master piece.
http://goo.gl/9Vlpu
Tuula, you are a GENIUS! That us just so beautiful and so clever $1 what a score!
Love the upcycle! I adore making my own wind chimes, Have made similar silverplated ones in the past given as gifts.And made glass blooms as well… Stopped by via your gonna love it tuesdays, following you via bloglovin…
Such a cute project! I just love the little cat on top!
(new follower here!)
Morgaine @ Madcap Frenzy
P.S. I would love if you would link up any of your awesome posts at my July Totally Tuesday Link Party: http://madcapfrenzy.blogspot.com/2013/07/july-totally-tuesday-link-party.html
Hugs!
I too used to make windchimes out of old silverplate and junk. I never made one out of goblets. I do in fact have goblets to do this with. I love how you used the bent staples to hold the line. I will borrow that idea if I get in the making mood again. I wish you had video of it, would love to hear it.
Absolutely love this! Especially with the little kitty on top – cute! I am visiting from Elizabeth & Co link party. Now following you on GFC.
Wow – that's like the chandelier of wind chimes!! What a huge job but did it ever turn out fabulously!!
Great concept and beautifully executed, you're amazing!!
Love it!
I love this…so elegant! I bet it would make a wonderful outdoor chandy too! Visiting from Stone Gables Tips and Tutorials party! Have a wonderful week!
XO Barbara
What a perfectly beautiful piece! I am so impressed with how you pulled all the elements together to make this gorgeous set of wind chimes! I'd love for you to link up this post and any others you'd like to our All Things Thursday Blog Hop. I hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Nici
Tuula I just LOVE this!!! It looks amazing lady and I love that you added some bling to it. Thanx for coming to THT!
O M G! What a stellar idea. I love it. Your creativeness is amazing, wish I had some of it! Saw you on the link up!
http://www.fitnessblondie.blogspot.com
Fab-u-lous! You had a vision and you figured out a way to make it work. Love the way this turned out….I can hear the chimes now.
These are amazing! Such a creative and unique use of materials.
It must look and sound wonderful. Add some candles and you have
a chic, over the top outdoor party show stopper! I love it!
Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Hugs,
Patti
visiting from the blog hop! That is just super crafty!!! Good job!
Lauren
http://realhousewifeofnova.blogspot.com
I am compelled to comment because this project is so darn adorable and unique too. Love the cat on top. I would love to make a chime of my own now that I have been inspired by your creativity. Thanks for the inspiration.
Traci
How cool are you!! This is soo clever! 🙂 Michelle
O.M.G. You've done it again Tuula – this is absolutely GORGEOUS – oh boy – I see a ton of features in your future again ( looking through my crystal ball as I type )
This may be my favorite of your inventions yet ( and that's hard for me to say )
It's beyond perfect – and must sound divine!!!
XOX
I think this is absolutely gorgeous idea. .
I wonder how it sound.?
Just beautiful.
Best wishes
Oh my gosh TOO CUTE! Love it ~ thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Party. Pin'd! =) Marcy @ day2day SuperMom
So uniquely wonderful. I would love looking out at this.
Thanks for sharing.
p
Hi Tuula – you're being featured at Inspiration cafe xx Nat
Awesome piece. You’re so lucky you have got an extremely creative mind.
http://liverpool24hourplumbers.co.uk/blog/
I featured your pretty windchime today on Mod Mix Monday at Mod Vintage Life.
http://www.modvintagelife.com
I guess you know that thrift stores are going to have a run on any silver goblets now. I'm not much of a project person but this one makes me wish I were. Then, there's always my husband…
Unbelievable! Very nice.
Oh my goodness, what could be a better sound. I agree with Dewena that silver goblets will be disappearing from the shelves. I doubt it that we will find the price you did though.
Ann
Oh my,how beautiful. This is sooo very creative
Just stopped back to let you know that you are featured this week at Ivy and Elephants, feel free to stop by and grab a featured button!
Hugs,
Patti
Wow! This is a beautiful project. It was interesting to have a peek into the creative 'process'!
Tuula, you really hit the jackpot with this project! So beautiful and whimsical I had to pick it for one of my features from last week's All Things Thursday Blog Hop. I hope you'll be back tonight to link up more greatness. Have a great week!
Blessings,
Nici
love this project Tuula! I love wind chimes.
great job, catching you!
gail
The gang over at My Personal Accent think your post about DIY Silver Goblet Wind Chimes is simply TERRIFIC! We would like to invite you to party with us at starting at 5:00 Thursday nights at our new Blog Strut Peacock Style Link Party to share your creative ideas. Come on over!! http://wp.me/P2Vf55-1K
What a great project – you were very resourceful and clever! Love how this turned out!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! Thank you for sharing on CSI Project "Thrift Store Turnaround"!
Shelly@MinettesMaze
This is the most beautiful and unique set of chimes I have ever seen. Congratulations on your new Etsy shop. These creations will fly out the door! Magnifique.
Tuula, I just saw your windchimes on Pinterest and they are gorgeous! The details are great too. I've never heard of Marine goop before, sounds like I need to go get some tomorrow! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful project. I'm definitely a new follower of your site!
Wow ! I use the 6000 glue for all my DIY's. I just made the tea pot garden art and used 6000 and glued metal to ceramic. Thanks
Tuula WOW how beautiful, you are an inspiration, bless you!!!!!! I am so impressed what an awesome wind chime wish I could hear it, I can only imagine what it sounds like.
Thank you so much Kathy! The sound is quite beautiful.