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July 28, 2015 ·

Sea Chimes

Crafts

Shell collecting is a small passion that runs in our family. Every summer, gallon bags are filled to the brim with these little treasures that have washed up along the shorelines. We have so many that it has become a bit ridiculous and I’ve vowed to put them to good use.  I’ve made shell wall art, starfish burlap banners, sand dollar ceiling medalion art, so why not make something more 3D and kinetic? Let’s make Sea Chimes (a.k.a. Shell Wind Chimes)!

Sea Chimes - Starfish and Capiz Shell Garland

I recently shared my review and giveaway of a gorgeous book full of coastal inspired decor tutorials called The Nautical Home by Anna Örnberg. In her book she gives instructions on how to make  Sea Chimes. I was inspired by this simple craft and knew I already had everything on hand, so I’m going to share with you today how to make sea shell wind chimes for yourself. The Nautical Home - Sea Chimes

Throughout the year I stock up on capiz shells and starfish purchased from Amazon.com. I purchased 200 capiz shell discs years ago and I still have barely made a dent in using that many! Capiz is so beautiful. If you aren’t familiar with Capiz shells, they are wafer thin, translucent, and have the most lovely pearly iridescence. They glow in sunlight and for this project they are what will make the pretty sounds in your shell wind chimes.

Sea Chimes- Supplies

This project has no exact requirements. You can make your wind chimes as fancy and full as you want, or as minimal as you desire. Feel free to add more shells or cascading layers of capiz. Use what you have. Be creative and have fun!

To make Shell Wind Chimes I suggest the following items:

(Amazon affiliate links provided for your shopping convenience)

  • Capiz Sea Shells – 2  1/2″
  • White Pencil Starfish  4″ – 5″
  • Sea Shells
  • Clear Acrylic Crystals
  • Sisal Rope
  • Jute Twine
  • Fishing line
  • Mini Glue Gun
  • Mini Glue Sticks
  • Drill and drill bits
  • Scissors

Step 1) Decide how long you want your rope to be. I measured the width of my window (36″) and added 4-6 inches to allow for draping. Cut the sisal rope with sharp scissors.

Step 2) Once you have cut the rope, you will need to drill holes into the capiz shells and sea shells (if they don’t already have a natural hole in them). Use scrap piece of wood under the shells. The capiz shells are very easy to drill through, but the sea shells will take a bit more effort.

Drilling shells and capiz shells

Step 3) Stretch out the rope and decide how many starfish you will need and how far you want them to hang below the rope. I used 5 starfish. Cut lengths of twine and apply a dab of hot glue onto the back side of a starfish leg. Wrap the twine around the starfish and hold until the hot glue is set.

hanging starfish - Sea Chimes

Step 4) Because my shells had holes in them naturally, I inserted a length of twine into the hole, tied a knot so it wouldn’t slip out, and then secured it the knot with hot glue.

Hanging Shells - Sea Wind Chimes

Step 5) Lay out a pattern of how you want your shells to hang from the rope. Remember to slightly overlap the shells and starfish with the capiz shells so that they are touching. This will create the pretty clinking sounds when the wind blows.

Step 6) Tie all the lengths of twine to the rope and secure with additional hot glue.

How to make Sea Chimes or a starfish and capiz shell garland

Step 7) Make a loop with the twine and hot glue one to each end of the rope. Wrap more rope around for extra security and a nice, finished appearance.

rope ends

Step 8) Thread clear fishing line through the crystals and tie them onto the starfish. They add a pretty sparkle to your sea chimes!

Voila! You can use 3M Command Hooks to hang the chimes or tap in clear thumbtacks to the window frame. Hang in a window and enjoy the sunlight shining through the irridescent capiz and the clinking and tinking sounds of your pretty shell window chimes.

DIY Shell Window Chimes

Sea Chimes -  DIY Shell window chimes

 

Be on the look out this week for how I use 2 strands of the shell wind chimes in different ways in my home!

Happy Crafting! 

KIM

You might also enjoy these projects:

Shell Art

Shell Art

Starfish Burlap Art

DIY Wall Art

Simple Shell Valentine Art 

Simple Shell Valentine Art

DIY Silverleaf Bracelet

DIY Silver Leaf Shell Bracelet

Shell Bottle Stoppers

shell stoppers

Shell Skewers

Shell-Skewers

DIY Capiz Ornaments

DIY-Capiz-Ornaments

Capiz Shell Christmas Trees

Capiz Shell Christmas Trees

« Inspire Me Monday {70}
Summer Coastal Mantel »

Comments

  1. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    July 28, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    Kim, This is so cute! I also have a large collection of shells that I need to create projects with.
    xx,
    Sherry

  2. Joanne @ Sea Glass Cottage says

    July 28, 2015 at 1:24 pm

    Awesome! I am so doing this for my daughter’s bedroom at the beach. I’m not super crafty talented, but I think even I could do this. Thanks for sharing specific directions. All best–
    Joanne @ Sea Glass Cottage

  3. chris aka monkey says

    July 28, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    kim i love this…makes me smile and i can almost hear the tinkling xx

  4. Debbie S says

    July 28, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    What a great use of shells! This is a very pretty decoration for the window. Thanks for sharing this beachy craft.

  5. Jeanne says

    July 28, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    Love this! It’s so pretty. 🙂

    • Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

      August 2, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      Thank you Jeanne!

  6. Karin K says

    July 29, 2015 at 9:34 am

    I love all of these!

    • Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

      August 2, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      Thanks!;)

  7. Mary-In the boondocks says

    July 29, 2015 at 11:42 am

    Very pretty and just right for the season. I love the use of the twine!

    • Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

      August 2, 2015 at 12:22 pm

      Thank you Mary!

  8. Roxanne says

    August 10, 2015 at 7:19 pm

    This is just too cute! I like yours better than the one shown in the book.

    • Kim @ Sand & Sisal says

      August 12, 2015 at 10:17 am

      What a kind thing to say! Thanks so much Roxanne!

  9. marlene says

    February 29, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    LOvely projest, but please, please use caution when drilling shells!!!!!! The dust is toxic should be drilled under water, with a mask and outdoors if at all possible.

Trackbacks

  1. Summer Coastal Mantel - Sand and Sisal says:
    July 30, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    […] strands of sea chimes fit perfectly draped under the mantel. They make the perfect starfish and capiz shell garland […]

  2. 15 Chic Coastal Crafts for the Home - Sand and Sisal says:
    August 2, 2015 at 11:56 am

    […] Sea Chimes ~ Sand & Sisal […]

  3. All Decked Out! Total Deck Makeover - Sand and Sisal says:
    July 13, 2016 at 9:46 am

    […] brought my sea glass and cedar wood mermaid outside. She’s smiling upons us all now! The DIY Shell Wind Chimes made with capiz shells, starfish and crystals, sparkle and clink in the […]

  4. Gilded Seashell Salt and Pepper Cellars - Sand and Sisal says:
    April 14, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    […] Sea Chimes […]

Welcome

Kim WilsonWelcome to Sand & Sisal: where love of home and sea meet! I share tutorials in DIY, decorating, crafts, gardening, & recipes.  [READ MORE]

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