How to Create an Upcycled Sifter Wind Chime

DIY Upcycled Sifter Wind Chime

I’ve always enjoyed creating with vintage kitchen items, and this upcycled sifter wind chime was a fun project that was pretty easy to put together.

I’m joining a bunch of creative bloggers for the Do It Over Designers blog hop. The theme for this blog hop was anything metal.

I’ve created many different upcycled wind chimes over the years, and I was inspired by the metal theme to try my hand at coming up with another fun and funky creation.

I’m sharing my project with you first, and you can find links to all the talented creators at the end of this post. Be sure to visit and check out all the fabulousness. I’m sure you’ll be inspired!

Creating an upcycled sifter wind chime

To create my sifter wind chime I’m upcycling some thrift store finds; starting with a $2 vintage metal sifter, and some 25 cent heart-shaped metal measuring spoons.

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Supplies needed to create this upcycled sifter wind chime

• vintage metal sifter
• vintage metal cookie press discs
• heart-shaped metal measuring spoons
• bits and pieces of thrifted necklaces
• 10mm single split rings
• 10mm double split rings
• 1″ ring
• black marker
• drill and metal 5/64″ metal drill bit (or hammer and nail if metal sifter is not too thick)

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After measuring and marking my sifter, I used my drill and a 5/64″ metal drill bit to create the holes for the hangers. This is a wide sifter so I created ten holes for chime hangers, and three for the top hangers.

Many sifters are made of a very thin metal, and a hammer and nail might be enough to create the holes if you don’t have a drill. Always wear eye protection when drilling into any metal items.

Assembling the sifter wind chime hangers

For the wind chime hangers I’m using miscellaneous red and blue beads from various thrifted necklaces. I took my color cue from the red stripes on the sifter, and I’ve always loved the combo of blues and reds.

I laid out the beads for nine wind chime hangers. One was already on my chime as a test fit so it’s not in the pic.

To add some fun to my chime hangers I’m using vintage metal cookie press discs in a variety of patterns. I always pick these up when I see them at thrift stores (usually a bunch for a dollar), and no I’ve never made Spritz cookies with them. But I did use some of my collection to create these cookie press disc Christmas ornaments.

To attach everything together I’m using silver tone 10mm split rings; single rings for the chime hangers, and double rings for the top hangers. I’ll explain why and where I used each of these below.

I took the single split rings from a bunch of acrylic chandelier crystal chains that I have in my stash, and I always have double split rings for wind chime making.

I assembled the chime hangers with the beads, single split rings, and the cookie press discs. The reason I’m using single split rings here is because they’re super easy to manipulate through the cookie press discs cut outs, and they allow for movement of the discs. The double split rings are way too rigid. Also each chime hanger is super light so they don’t really need the extra strength of double split rings.

How long you make your chime hangers is entirely up to you. Just know that the longer they are the less wind it takes to make them chime. I have a windy property so I don’t make my chime hangers very long.

Because they the top three hangers are supporting the whole wind chime, the stronger double split rings are definitely needed here.

Assembling the sifter wind chime

The three chains are attached to a 1″ key ring at the top. The front chain is a little shorter than the two on the sides because of the shape of the sifter. I just removed a couple of chain links until I got the right length.

I attached all the chime hangers to the sifter, alternating the disc patterns. They kind of remind me of dream catchers.

And then the heart-shaped measuring spoons were attached. I used various sizes and alternated them in a way that looked good to me. The beauty of using measuring spoons as chimes is that they already have holes in their handles, and they sound really pretty.

I thought the top area needed a little extra something so I added a few beads and a cookie press disc to tie everything together.

And here’s my finished sifter wind chime with cookie press disc hangers, and heart-shaped measuring spoon chimes.

Finished DIY upcycled sifter wind chime

The fun thing about the cookie press discs is that they do hit each other occasionally, which adds a little extra dimension to the sounds that this upcycled sifter wind chime makes in the breeze.

And they also spin a little, which adds some interesting movement.

Here’s a quick video. The quality isn’t great, but it gives you an idea of how it sounds and moves.

This vintage sifter makes a fun and funky wind chime. To take the idea even further you could easily add a solar light inside the sifter, or even place a little weeping plant inside.

I hope this project has inspired you, and now for more inspiration be sure to check out the other Do It Over Designers listed below.

Birdz of a Feather – Suncatcher DIY
Exquisitely Unremarkable – Muffin Tin Makeover
Little Vintage Cottage – Repurposed Metal Dust Pan
Modern on Monticello – Simple DIY Outdoor Side Table with Open Storage
Purple Hues & Me – Staggered Tier Treats Stand DIY
Southern Sunflowers – How to Makeover Outdoor Metal Art Easy DIY
Sum of Their Stories – Bottle Cap Planter Upcycle
The Apple Street Cottage – Making Pendant from Vintage Spoon
Color Me Thrifty – that’s me! – How to Create an Upcycled Sifter Wind Chime

It would be greatly appreciated if you would pin this project to your favorite Pinterest board, and also share it with your friends.

Thanks so much for reading and until next time,

keep on keepin’ on!

XOX