I just love tinkling sound of chimes in the garden. The latest addition is some spoon chimes.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
There are enough to make three spoon chimes – one of different countries, one of Canadian spoon and one of spoons from around England.
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.
Other chimes I’ve made for the garden.
Do you love wind chimes as much as I do?
I’m sharing with Funky Junk.
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.
Jennifer Jilks
These are wonderful!
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 ?
Crafty Gardener
I used E6000 glue, and have updated the post to add this info. Thanks for stopping by.
Crafty Gardener
I had sent you and email but it bounced back.
Margie
What a great way to repurpose souvenir spoons! I think I like the spoon wind chimes the best!
Crafty Gardener
I love the spoon chimes too. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are having a good day.
Chas
I love upcycling and your chimes are just lovely. I can imaging they make a beautiful sound. Thank you so much for sharing.
Teresa
I love the idea of using old spoons to make these! Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned.
Michelle
What a wonderful idea! And a great way for you to enjoy your lovingly collected spoons.
Virginia
Love this. Great idea to use the bails & not have to drill holes in the spoons!
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!