Hi my beautiful friends! Today I’m sharing what I did with a bunch of spindles I found at an estate sale for $2 a couple of months ago. The lady asked me what I was going to do with them, and I honestly had no idea at the time. Obviously it took me a while since they’ve been rolling around on the floor behind my seat in my car since I got them!
Here they are:
I thought they could eventually make perfect handles for tool caddies or something.
Then my very talented friend, Wendi from H2O Bungalow invited me to participate in a tool challenge, so I came up with another idea for them.
The challenge was to create something using only one power tool. The tool she chose was a drill. Now many of you may be very handy with a drill, but there might be some ladies out there that aren’t as comfortable using one. I’m going to share how I turned these spindles into super cute wind chimes, using only a drill, and at the bottom several other crafty gals are sharing the projects they created using only a drill as well. Then we’ll move on to another tool for our next challenge, and so on. Maybe by the time we’re done, there will be a few new power tool users out there!
Here is how my wind chimes turned out:
Not bad, eh? I love these colors!
Making these was really simple. Here are the supplies I used to pull this together:
- Spray Paint
- Spindles
- Topper (I had this bird with a broken beak, but you could use anything or nothing at all)
- Fine fishing line
- Scissors
- Drill and tiny drill bit (real technical on the size, I know)
- E6000 glue
- Something to use as a top piece. This is the base to a thrift store candle stick
- Metal ring (not pictured)
I scored on these spindles, but you could also use spindles from an old chair or crib.
First I spray painted my spindles and my candle stick base with spray paint. I used white, aqua, and green that I already had left over from another project.
When they were dry, I drilled tiny holes at the top of each spindle. Be sure to place a piece of scrap wood under the spindle to catch the drill on the other side:
Then I measured, marked, and drilled holes in the candle stick base:
This will be the piece that the spindles hang from.
Then I sanded them all to shabby them up a bit…
Next I started threading my spindles with the fishing line. I cut eight pieces of fishing line, one for each piece. I cut four 12″ lengths and four 24″ lengths. The 12″ pieces I pulled through the four colored spindles like so:
Then I threaded them through the top piece…
…and knotted them several times so they would dangle and not Fall through the small hole.
Can you see the knot?
The 24″ fishing line I cut for the white spindles would be the line that connects to the ring at the very top for hanging.
I threaded the line through the hole then knotted it several times before pulling it through the holes in the top piece.
Then I threaded them through the top piece, trying to keep them all hanging at the same level, and attached them to the ring at the very top:
It took a bit to get the spindles to all hang evenly. I wish I had a secret for that but I’ve got no help for ya there.
I added this ceramic bird that had a broken beak (I just couldn’t throw him away) to the top using E6000 glue. This little bird originally came from Kirklands and once had feet as well.
I love the fun pop of color these chimes add to my garden!
Spindles just look so good painted…
I love the sound of them clanking together too.
I’m so glad I finally came up with a use for these old spindles, and that they’re no longer clankity clanking behind me in my car.
So that’s my one tool challenge, using only a drill. Pretty simple, right?
If you have a minute, you might enjoy seeing what my crafty friends created as well:
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Have a great day, my friends!
XO,
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ColleenB. ~ Texas says
Very clever and wonderful idea. What wonderful looking wind chimes and how pretty they are hanging in your flower garden.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Colleen! I love the pop of color out there! 🙂
Cindy DIY beautify says
What a fabulous use for those old spindles Christy!! I’ll definitely keep my eyes peeled when I’m yard saleing this summer! I love the colors you chose, the sweet little bird just finishes it off!! And I’m looking forward to following along with this challenge because the drill and Palm sander are the only power tools this girl is comfortable with at this point!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Cindy! These spindles worked out perfectly as chimes. It looks like we are going to move from tool to tool, so maybe you’ll feel more confident using them as the challenges progress. 🙂
Heather @ Viral Upcycle says
Thanks adorable Christy. I have been knee deep with making a few myself. Total coincedence I just posted about wind chimes today and will have a couple more to show. Maybe I can find some cute spindles to make another one. I love it.
Cher @ Designs by Studio C says
Such a cute project – great idea! I love the paint colors you chose, as well!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Cher! XO
Rose L. says
GREAT IDEA! I MAY TRY IT WITH A COUPLE CHANGES,
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Rose! There are so many ways you could change this up! 🙂
CC says
so cute!! and simple!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, CC! 🙂
Christine says
Oh my gosh!!! What a great idea!!! So pretty!!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Christine! XOXO
Sue Farmer says
Unbelievable!! What you do with things!! Love it. And love the colors,
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Sue! I love these colors too…perfect for Summer! 🙂
Tammy says
Oh Christy this is so adorable!!! I love it!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Tammy! XOXO
ananda says
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! just amazing!! and christy, i too have “treasures” from junk yard rolling in my car for weeks!! =)
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Ananda! And ha ha…I am so bad at not emptying my car out all the way! XO
gail says
Christy,
I love wind chimes, and I can never have too many spindle projects…. I have tons!
So, of course I love your one tool project making this beautiful spindle wind chime.
I think I’ll be making one of these for sure.
gail
ps pinned!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Gail! I bet you have a ton of fun treasures just waiting to be turned into something beautiful! XO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
So cute Christy! I love what you did with those old spindles (and lol…they were rolling around in the back of your car since you got them …sounds exactly like me! 😉 )
Nancy
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Nancy! I am so bad about leaving stuff in my car! They were on the side where Brennan sits too, so he stepped on them every time he got in and out…bad mama! 🙂
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Well thanks Christy, you’ve just added another thing to my Must Make List. How creative is this – LOVE this idea and MUST have one or two or three (great gifts). It was such fun doing this challenge with you!
Julie - Being Home says
Impressive! Very ingenious way to use those old spindles! The end product is very pretty! And, I hear ya about stuff rolling around in the back seat. lol 🙂
Becky says
Who would have thought… so cute! That bird is SO perfect. I need to find a collection of spindles too. : ) A crib is a brilliant idea!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Becky! I am so glad I didn’t toss that bird out when his little beak broke off. 🙂
Heather J says
You never cease to amaze me, girlie:) I’ve been on the lookout for a windchime but everything I have found is just so cheesy and cheap looking. This is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Totally would love to see and hear this all summer long:) Thanks for sharing!
Christy K. James says
I know what you mean…it is hard to find cute wind chimes! So glad you like these! XO
Darlene says
Hi Christy, Isn’t it amazing how inspiration hits us? And we come up with these cleaver and wonderful creations. Thanks for sharing with us.
Christy K. James says
Yes, Darlene! It’s such a great feeling when you get that, “I know exactly what I want to do with this” moment! XO
Rose says
Amazing!!! It looks so pretty.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Rose!
Serena @ Thrift Diving says
Hey Christy! What a great project! So creative you are :). I could see this hanging outside of my window in my backyard! Well done, girl!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Serena! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
I love this idea!! Of course, I have old spindles that need a purpose and I just may do this. I have to say I adore that chunky, chippy bird! 🙂
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Larissa! I bet you have an fantastic stash of things just waiting to be turned into amazing pieces. 🙂
Krista @ the happy housie says
These are so pretty Christy! I love the colours!! And the finish is perfect- sharing on my FB page today:) Happy weekend!!
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much, Krista! XOXO
Michelle James says
I came to your site from Hometalk where I saw this post. So amazing. I am having a good time looking around your blog. You are very creative.
Christy K. James says
Thanks so much for saying hello, Michelle! So glad you are enjoying what you’ve seen so far! XO
Funky Junk Interiors says
I’m so in LOVE with this idea! I’ve yet to see spindles look this good. Featuring this on Party Junk this weekend! 🙂
Christy K. James says
You are so awesome! Thank you!! 🙂
Carole West @ Garden Up Green says
This is a wonderful project I bet it sounds pretty when the wind chimes.
I really like the color combo too!
Christy K. James says
Thanks Carole! It does have a really pretty and unique sound.:)
Marilyn says
too cute and clever. I also have spindles that I have saved for 2 years now, waiting for an idea? I am afraid where I live gets rather windy or I would diffenitely do this! take care
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Marilyn! I’m sure you’ll find a great use for yours eventually. 🙂