Make a Vintage Button Wind Chime

Creating a button wind chime is a charming way to use old buttons.  If you like to sew or if you are a pack-rat, you probably have an assortment of salvaged buttons just waiting for a project like this.  Making a button wind chime is easy and fun using items that you already have!



Most of the buttons I used for my project came from my grandmother.  I inherited her sewing machine and assorted sewing notions.  She passed away twelve years ago and I've held onto everything.  I'm always on the lookout for unique ways to repurpose Grandma's things. 



Grandma always stocked up when she found a good deal.

The buttons that I used for my wind chime came from this collection of salvaged buttons that my grandmother saved from her worn out garments.

I decided to use fishing line to string the buttons and sinkers to weight them down.

I had leftover crafting wire from a Christmas project that I used to craft the top of my wind chime.  A canning jar ring made a fine hoop to attach the strands of buttons to.

Pay attention to the warning on the sinker package!  I wouldn't handle lead if I were pregnant, nor would I let a child handle it.

I made several knots just to be extra sure the sinker wouldn't slip off.

I made my wind chime with seven strands of various lengths. Fasten them to the ring being sure to secure well.  I wrapped my strands around the ring several times before I tied the knots.  Be sure to leave enough excess line to make several knots on each line.

Use your imagination when stringing your buttons.  It's okay if the buttons touch.  Your wind chime will make more noise that way!

Also, add beads and any other items you have on hand to make your wind chime more interesting. 

~ For more do-it-yourself project ideas check out the following ~

Recycled Crafts Box 

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Beautiful and Inexpensive Do-It-Yourself Window Coverings

If you are looking for beautiful, yet inexpensive window covering ideas look no further!  For just pennies per window you can have both light and privacy by making your own custom frosted window coverings.  It's easier than you might think and you can find all the supplies that you will need at your local store or online. 

To learn how to make your own custom window films check out these articles -



Give Your Windows a Frosted Look With Con-Tact Brand Clear Liner


 

DIY Custom Window Film ~ Part 1



DIY Custom Window Film - Part 2

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Part 2 ~ Do It Yourself Custom Window Film - Beautiful, Easy and Inexpensive!

I promised you I would share the results of my window film project in my girls room!  Without further delay, here it is! 
 

For the bathroom project and beginning instructions that apply to this project, see Part 1.

All you will need to purchase to complete this project is a white Elmer's Painters marker, clear Con-Tact brand adhesive liner (it says clear but it actually looks frosted), masking tape (if desired), and Windex glass cleaner (or other brand). 

I do almost all my shopping locally but for your convenience and/or comparison, I've included links to the products listed so that you can see what I'm referring to.  I know that a lot of folks shop online now so perhaps these links will be an added convenience for you, if you are one of those "on-line shoppers".

Supplies ~

Elmer's Painters Opaque Paint Marker, Medium Tip, White (7333)


Con-Tact Simple Elegance Shelf Liners, Clear, 5-Foot Roll (Pack of 6)

I freehanded most of the project and am very happy with the results, however, I think I may have gotten a bit carried away at the end.  It was a good experience and my girls are happy with it!



Photo of window prior to covering with film.
The girls' room faces a heavily trafficked street
with a lot of foot traffic as well.  We've been
concerned about privacy issues in the past so
covering this window with a frosted look just
seemed like a natural choice.




1) After cleaning the window, I applied the film
as instructed in Part 1




2) Film applied as shown in Part 1




3) Beginning stages of my freehand creation with the
Elmer's Painters marker.




4) Decorating in process.  I love the way the paint looks
dark with the daylight shining through but at night,
it is very white.  I think the change in appearance is cool!




Finished view from outside at night! 
See, I did get a bit carried away.
Perhaps I should have just left the bottom sections plain.
Oh well! The girls like it!




Top section in the morning light.  I left this uncovered except
for the cutouts so my girls can see if it's sunny, snowing or
raining from their bedroom.




Another view in the morning light





Yet another view in the morning light, right top two sections





Bottom sections in the morning light.

 

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Part 1 ~ Do It Yourself Custom Window Film - Beautiful, Easy and Inexpensive!

Several days ago, I covered my kitchen window with Con-Tact Brand clear adhesive liner cut into diamond shapes (see here) . 



While I'm happy with the results, it took a long time for me to complete the project.   With some great suggestions, from my husband and a project idea that I found on Pinterest , I gave the window film another try in both the bathroom and in my daughters' bedroom.  

I'll show you how the bathroom went in this article.  I'll cover the girls' room in my next posting.

I found this project to be incredibly easy and fun!  It cost about $3.00 to complete each room.  My total expense was less than $10.00 ($5.50 on the Con-Tact clear liner and $3.75 on the Elmer's Painters marker).   I still have enough Con-Tact liner to do another window if I make smaller pieces as I did with my kitchen.  There is probably enough paint marker left as well.

If I can do this, ANYONE can do this!  All you need to give your windows a beautiful custom film look is some clear Con-Tact Brand adhesive liner and a paint marker! 

Con-Tact Simple Elegance Shelf Liners, Clear, 5-Foot Roll (Pack of 6)

Elmer's Painters Opaque Paint Marker, Fine Tip, White (7332)

Be sure to watch for Part 2 of this posting.  I went a little crazy with the girls room freehanding!  It was fun but I may have gone overboard just a bit.......


So here is my bathroom ~




1) Clean window well, taking care that all
dirt, grease, paint, etc. is removed.

 


2) Cut Con-Tact liner into correct size for area you are
covering.  I used a dressmaker's measuring tape to
measure the areas I wanted to cover.




3) Spray section to be covered liberally with
Windex Glass Cleaner




4) Peel the paper back off the Con-Tact liner and
place into position.  The Windex will allow you to
move the piece around easily until you are satisfied with
it's placement.  This really worked well.  Use a plastic
card to smooth the bubbles and Windex out.
If the film is too large, take a razor blade or an Exacto knife
and carefully cut the excess off.





5) Allow window film to sit for a few minutes
to adhere well.

 


6) Place your stencil (unless you are going to freehand
your designs) loosely with a bit of masking tape.
I stopped using the masking tape after the 2nd stencil
as I began to feel more confident in the process.




7) Using a white paint pen (I used Elmer's Painters) fill in
the desired areas of your stencil.  Be careful to not
put too much paint on as it could bleed through below the
stencil.  Once completed, remove stencil carefully and
allow paint to dry on the stencil so you don't make a mess
in the next position.  It only takes a minute or so for the
paint to dry. 




8) Step back and enjoy your new beautiful
customized window film!




View of the window with the curtains.



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Contact Paper "Frosted Look" Window Covering



I have a love/hate relationship with the window over my kitchen sink.  While the view is great, there is very little privacy.  I'm not big on curtains as I love letting the natural lighting in.    Window film is expensive and being the cheapskate that I am, I figured I could find a less expensive way to accomplish the look I wanted.  I decided to give clear Con-Tact Brand liner a try.  I'm pleased with the results and the price.  It was easy enough that anyone could complete this project.


I love the view from my kitchen sink and didn't want to
cover the window with blinds or shades. Unfortunately
my front porch is also part of the view.  This translates into
no privacy in my kitchen. 




A few tips for this project~

• Be sure your window is clean prior to applying Con-Tact liner. 
• If you are applying large panels at a time, I've heard that Windex can be sprayed on the glass first and it will help you move the liner around until it is in the position you want it in.
• There may be a less time consuming way to complete this project.  My husband suggested that I apply entire panels, then cut out the pieces I want removed.  I'm going to try his method soon and post the results.  Although this project was super easy, it did take a large part of my afternoon and my entire evening (minus interruptions) to complete.  
• Consider other shapes to decorate your window with.  I chose the diamond pattern for the simple clean lines but I think it would be interesting to try some other designs. 

Instead of spending a ton on window film, I decided to use
ordinary clear Con-Tact brand adhesive liner to "frost"
my window.  It cost about $5.50 at my local grocery store.
If your store doesn't carry it, you can purchase it online.

We traced out tons of diamond shapes and cut them out.

I applied the diamonds to my window using a
debit card to smooth out bubbles. 

The finished product - a window with semi-privacy that
still allows light into the room! I think I like it and I love
the cost savings over the window films that I priced!



Close up in the morning light





Full view in the morning light

 

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