An object made from recycled material that does not shout out "I used to be an egg carton...or a tin can....." delights me. These windchimes are an example.
It's not that you can't tell, on closer inspection, that they are made from the lids of cans but it is not the immediate awareness.
They were made by a local artist, Rhoda Brodie, inspired by some she had seen up-Island.
They are light and brush against each other in the lightest breeze making pleasant sounds, wind-speaking sounds.
With the idea of making a single length of the chimes from larger tin lids (the Polish Deli uses huge cans of sauerkraut, I seem to recall) and hanging it at the end of a tree branch for rain to slide down, I have now spent two sessions trying to mimic the chimes. No luck.
Rhoda doesn't cut hers, just bends them. Can lids removed with an opener that cuts under the rim do not bend easily, thus my cuts. And I have yet to come up with a way of dividing a circle shape into five easily.
Aluminum pie plates would be easier to work with.....but I don't think they appear in the blue box....maybe playing with cardstock until I get the hang of it - and a template - would be a worthwhile next step........I wonder if a very very very large circle of clear plastic would fold into an outdoor structure......
This is how the windchimes look in the early evening. They catch the rays of the setting sun and the humming bird seemed to give them a prolonged perusal as he came for his bedtime snack to the feeder nearby.
I look forward to their performance in the next wind display.
Ouch! cuts from tin can edges definitely 'smart'!
For years I have made door wreaths using recycled Christmas cards
...using a template made from heavy cardboard..1. draw a circle using big mug/bowl..to make size you want
2. cut circle in half (this is the template now)
3. place 1/2 circle template on section of card that you want..cut out the beautiful part of the front of recycled Xmas cards.
4...make the cone..string them at different intervals on thick Xmas Yarn(remember to make a large knot inside the cone so it does not slip down
5...make loads of strings...attach them to a big red velvet Xmas bow...and give them out as Door wreaths/decorations.
I'll post the picture on my blog http://estherwoodwork.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Esther | August 25, 2008 at 07:20 AM
I look forward to seeing a picture of this - I have an idea of what you mean but the photo will help.
Posted by: Karen | August 25, 2008 at 01:15 PM
what a wonderful recycling idea... I HAVE to try this (sometime! add it to the list, I guess)
time to start saving my lids :)
Posted by: laughing purple goldfish | September 04, 2008 at 08:06 PM
I love this idea!
I cannot pass by a can of tin with lovely colors, and my collection grows. Now I know what to do with some of them!
And thanks for the comment on my blog :-)
Posted by: mereteveian | September 04, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Hello laughing. Since that post I have come across a simplified way of making them but have yet to try it. Will report on it when I do. And yes, it's one of those "add to the list" things - love that "list" aspect of life!
And mereteveian - I don't think I know of tin cans in colours......???!!!!!
Posted by: Karen | September 05, 2008 at 06:18 AM