The idea to create a wind chime from old keys began when we were packing to move. It seemed every drawer I opened, I’d find a key. Most of the keys, I had no earthy idea what lock or vehicle they belonged to anymore. It got to be a joke as to whether or not I would find a key in the next space I cleaned out. I started saving the keys in a zip top baggie “just in case”. By the time I was done, I had amassed 39 keys and one dog tag from our beloved doggie that had passed away. And in my true collector fashion…I saved all the keys in that little baggie and moved them.
After we moved, I unpacked the baggie of keys along with an old tea kettle. I knew then that I had all the right components to make a unique and frugal wind chime.
To create a wind chime from old keys…
You will need…
- An assortment of keys
- A vessel such as an old tea pot
- Cord to secure the keys in a line
- Rubber or metal washers
- Hammer
- Ahl
- Staple remover (optional)
Some of the keys I found were still on key rings. Word of advice…do not use your nails to try and open the rings. Doing so will only result in a broken nail or a hurt finger. My helpful hint…use a staple puller. It will get into the ring with ease, open it up and make removing the key(s) so much easier.
Steps to creating a wind chime from old keys and a tea pot…
I started by sorting and arranging the keys in equal rows. The rows would convert into individual strings of keys hanging from the old tea pot for the wind chime.
Next step, join the keys together…
To connect/string the keys together, I used a spool of silver Christmas cord that I already had on hand.
Here’s a link for a similiar cord to use…
I knotted the key at the very bottom end of the string and then began to loop the cord through the next key opening.
Feed the end of the cord through the loop in the key opening and pull tight, to secure it in place. Then continue on to the next key…leaving a bit of space between each key.
Thread the keys onto the number of cords that you would like in your wind chime-I chose to use 5 strings of keys.
Prepare the wind chime vessel to hold the strings of old keys…
Now to ready the tea pot. You will need a hammer and an ahl for this next step.
With a hammer or mallet, tap the pointed/sharp end of the ahl into the tea pot to form a small hole.
Put the same numer of holes in the tea pot as you have strings of keys. Then thread a string of keys through each hole.
To keep the string from pulling through the hole, tie the opposite end of the string to a rubber washer, knot it in place inside the tea pot. The other end of the string contains the keys. Adjust the length of each string so that the keys will clang into each other and create the wind chime effect.
The finished wind chime using old keys and a tea pot…
Add a length of the cord to the handle of the tea pot for hanging. It’s that easy and done!
Here’s the finished project. A unique collection of old keys creating a totally free, absolutely frugal wind chime!
Of course, if you don’t have an old tea pot, you can use any other appropriate vessel to your liking. Get creative!
Who knew a bunch of old keys could make such sweet sounds! I did…LOL!!
In conclusion…
On that note folks, I’m off to find my next frugal project. Stay tuned. Please follow me on my frugal and delicious journey by liking and sharing my adventures and creations that I post on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube…because they don’t always make it to my blog.
Thanks folks, be safe, virtual hugs…
Chauncey
For another frugal wind chime, check out this beauty…
https://frugalanddelicious.com/category/wind-chime/
Wow this is beautiful idea the wind chimes keys!