DIY Network

Seashell Wind Chime Catch a calming sea breeze. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-607

String up some shells today.

If you love the beach, chances are you have a box of seashells tucked away somewhere. Well, it's time to pull the box out and B. Original with those shells alongside host Michele Beschen.

She shows how to dress up ordinary shells with metallic leaf foil, then string them into a breezy wind chime. It's a great way to use the elegant natural shapes of shells to bring a little of the beach into your décor.

advertisement

Seashell Wind Chime

Materials:

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

old lampshade
spray paint
seashells
metal leafing adhesive
foil leaf
metal leafing sealer
hand drill with small bit
scrap wood
monofilament
threaded rod, 3/16" diameter
straight-mount bracket
3/16" nuts

• Try to choose a lampshade that tapers rather than one that is straight up and down. Those designed for use with a harp work best for this project because they fit the threaded rod perfectly.

• Strip all material from the lampshade, leaving only the metal frame. Spray-paint the bare frame as desired
  (figure A).

• Choose a variety of seashells, avoiding large, heavy shells.

• Brush the inside of each shell with metal leafing adhesive, available at hobby or art stores. Follow the instructions on the adhesive and let it become tacky (figure B).
  
  
• Brush the metallic leaf into the adhesive with a stiff paintbrush (figure C). Michele Beschen likes to use a variety of metallic leaf colors; they are available in gold, silver, copper and variegated patterns.

• Seal and protect the leaf with a coat of leafing sealer.

• Determine the type of string or monofilament to use to hang the shells. Michele Beschen used a 30 lb. test monofilament fishing line, which is available at hardware stores or wherever fishing tackle is sold.

• Choose an all-purpose drill bit that is an appropriate size for the string or monofilament.

• Place a shell cup-side up on a piece of scrap wood and use an all-purpose bit to drill a hole at each end of the shell (figure D). Be sure to drill the holes from the inside of the shell out.

• Drill holes in the other shells in the same manner.

• String the shells on lengths of monofilament (figure E). Run the string through the shells from back to front and use a series of knots to hold the shells in place. Add some beads along the strands as well, if desired.

• Create several strands of shells in different lengths.

• Tie the strands directly to the painted lamp frame until it is full. Place the longer strands on the outer part of the frame.

• Cut the 5/16" threaded rod to the desired length with a hacksaw. The length of the rod will depend on the size of the wind chime and the height of the ceiling.

• Thread a nut and washer onto the threaded rod and run the end of the rod through the small opening on the lampshade frame. Attach another washer and nut to the rod on the other side of the opening. Tighten the nuts around the opening to hole it securely (figure F). The narrower end of the shade should be closer to the end of the rod.

• Screw the other end of the rod into a straight-mount bracket – the type usually used to attach legs to tables (figure G).

• Attach the bracket to the ceiling. Make sure to drive the screws into a ceiling joist or use strong anchors that will hold the piece’s weight.