Spoon Chimes

posted in: Garden Projects, Whimsy | 14

I just love tinkling sound of chimes in the garden. The latest addition is some spoon chimes.

making spoon chimes at craftygardener.ca
spoon chimes in the gazebo

Many years ago I used to collect souvenir spoons from all the different places we visited when we were living and touring England. Family and friends also sent me spoons from different locations. I used to display them on spoon racks, not sure if they are even popular anymore. For the longest time the spoons got stored away in the cupboard and never used.

spoon chimes at craftygardener.ca
souvenir teaspoon collection

Inspired from seeing some spoon chimes on a show we love to watch, (Sign Sealed and Delivered or sometimes known as Lost Letter Mysteries) I decided to get those old spoons out and dust them off and create a spoon chime for the garden. It was a trip down memory lane remembering where each came from and who gave them to me.

In total there are 64 spoons from as far away as Australia, New Zealand and Japan (thanks to my aunt and uncle), from Spain, Malta, Ibiza, Italy (thanks to travelling friends), from Canada (thanks to family) and from the many seaside destinations in England (thanks to our year of travelling)

making spoon chimes at craftygardener.ca
bails

The first challenge came when I had to figure out hang them. I purchased bails (from Amazon in a packet of 100) and each spoon had one glued on to the top with E6000 glue. Bails are used in jewelry making for attaching to a pendant and it gives a loop for the chain to go through. Each bail is about 1.5 cm approximately the width of a Canadian dime.

collectible teaspoons at craftygardener.ca

I used silver like little trays to fasten the spoons onto. These came from the china cupboard or the thrift store. They are about 6 inches or 15 cm across. A hole was drilled in the centre for the hanging cord to be attached. I used a strong fishing line so the cords would/t be visible.

making spoon chimes at craftygardener.ca
making spoon chimes

Each spoon was tied on with strong fishing line. The centre hole had a spoon with a small handle on it, which is actually a spoon for putting your teabag in after removing it from the cup.

teaspoon collection at craftygardener.ca
teabag holder spoon

There are enough to make three spoon chimes – one of different countries, one of Canadian spoon and one of spoons from around England.

making spoon chimes at craftygardener.ca
spoon chimes

I love to stand in front of the spoon chimes and remember where each spoon came from or who gave it to me. They make a lovely tinkling sound when they move in the breeze. In the spring and summer they hang in the gazebo and in the winter they come inside to hang in the windows.

garden line

Other chimes I’ve made for the garden.

chimes at craftygardener.ca
different chimes in the garden
garden line

Do you love wind chimes as much as I do?

I’m sharing with Funky Junk.

14 Responses

  1. Myrtle

    Another beautiful day,and cooled down a bit. I have seen spoon made into wind chimes I collected spoons but for the most part they were given to me by family & friends., a few from different areas I managed to get to. That is a great idea to make them into wind chimes.

    I always enjoy how well you illustrate how to put things together. I have not heard of the “bails”, It is a great way to attach the spoons.

    • Crafty Gardener

      It’s another nice day here too Myrt. It got the collector spoons out of the cupboard and into the garden and they sure do make a nice gentle sound when the wind catches them.

    • Crafty Gardener

      It was a great way to repurpose the spoons into something that would be seen instead of hiding away in the cupboard. Have a great day.

    • Catherine

      Hi, do you mind me asking how you attached the bails to the spoons? I’m ready to make one as a surprise for my 95 year old mum from her collections ?

  2. Margie

    What a great way to repurpose souvenir spoons! I think I like the spoon wind chimes the best!

  3. Chas

    I love upcycling and your chimes are just lovely. I can imaging they make a beautiful sound. Thank you so much for sharing.

  4. Teresa

    I love the idea of using old spoons to make these! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned.

  5. Michelle

    What a wonderful idea! And a great way for you to enjoy your lovingly collected spoons.

  6. Virginia

    Love this. Great idea to use the bails & not have to drill holes in the spoons!

  7. Marie-Interior Frugalista

    What a great idea for those old souvenir spoons! I used to collect them too and now come to think of it, I’m not sure if I still have them. Your chimes have an amazing story to share with admirers!

Comments are closed.