Are you ready to make a wine bottle wind chime? Do you like diy projects? Do you like the soothing sound of wind chimes? Perhaps you’re a fan of collecting them or want to create a unique one as a gift.
If that’s the case, why not try making a wind chime out of a wine bottle? It’s a fun and creative project that you can customize to your liking. A homemade wind chime can make the perfect addition to your patio or porch.
The process of creating a wine bottle wind chime requires specific supplies, which we will list below. We’ll also provide step-by-step instructions for each stage of the process. Additionally, we’ll share ideas on how kids can participate in making this wind chime.
Items needed to make a wine bottle wind chime for the prep/clean process and cutting the wine bottle
- Wine bottles – different color options can look nice
- Glass bottle cutter
- Dish soap and Hot water
- Gloves when using the bottle cutter
- Razor blade is optional
- Sandpaper
- Extremely Hot Water & Extremely Cold Water – Tea kettle or something to heat water – Ice to get water very cold
First Step in Preparation of the Wine Bottles
The first step in making this craft is to wash and clean the empty wine bottles. You want to make sure that you soak the wine bottles in very hot water with dish soap.
Once the wine bottle has soaked well, it should be easy to remove the label. I suggest using a razor blade to scrape it off. If you do not have a razor blade, use something that can help scrape the sticky residue off. If the sticky residue is hard to remove, you could use a product like Goo Gone that helps get rid of sticky messes.
When the whole bottle is clean, dry, and label-free, you can start cutting or scoring it. This process is straightforward, depending on the cutter you have. Make sure to loosen up the slider and position it where you want the bottle cut. Do not cut off too much of the bottle. You only want to cut off the bottom 2 inches of the bottle.
To start cutting a bottle, place it on top of the bottle cutter and wear gloves to avoid getting cut. Some bottle cutters may come with gloves and sandpaper. Refer to the instruction manual of the bottle cutter you have selected for guidance on how to use it.
After that, apply pressure and rotate the bottle on the cutter. The cutter will score the bottle instead of cutting it in half. Keep turning the bottle steadily with some pressure until it is scored all around.
This is where the fun part begins, involving hot and cold techniques.
You need to have a sink, bucket, or container of ice water. To get really hot water you need a tea kettle or use the hot water straight from your faucet if hot enough.
Hold the bottle over the sink and pour hot water onto the scoring mark. Turn the bottle while pouring hot water over the mark several times. Then, put the bottle into ice water. It may take a second to break off, or you may have to repeat the process with hot and cold water again. It’s best to have three or more bottles to work with, as sometimes a bottle may not break off correctly or may crack in an unwanted spot.
There is a method of using rubber bands to put tightly onto the bottle in the spots you want it to break so give that a try if you want.
When you have the bottle cut you will need to sand it a little. Make sure that it’s not sharp and has a smooth finish.
Putting the sandpaper in a plastic disposable bowl is best or whatever works for you. Pour a little water over the sandpaper in the bowl.
Then press the wine bottle end that needs to be sanded on the paper and turn it. Turn it and scrape it on the sandpaper till the bottom of the bottle is pretty smooth with no sharp edges. I use a disposable bowl so I can dispose of it after using it. That way I don’t have to worry about any glass particles left in the bowl.
These are the next items for the second part of the preparation. Before decorating and making the wine bottle wind chime.
- Cork from a wine bottle
- Your flapper item for your wind chime if needing a hole in it
- Drill or ice pick or some device that you can use to make a hole
At this point, you need to create a hole in the cork to allow the leather string to pass through it. Make sure to check the size of the string and create a hole that is just big enough for it to pass through, without making it too loose.
If your flapper (item hanging from your wind chime that the wind blows) doesn’t already have a hole in it this is when we make that happen.
If you have a drill and know how to use it, making a hole in the cork shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you plan to use an ice pick or any other sharp object to make a hole, make sure to be very careful. You may also use the end of long scissors or a knife to create a hole, but avoid cutting the cork in half or making the hole too big.
Alternatively, if you are unable to make a hole through the cork, you can use the bottle without it. However, the cork adds a nice touch to the look of the bottle, and it keeps the cord straight and well-positioned. For the flapper, it is recommended to find something that already has a hole in it.
To make a wind chime out of a wine bottle, I used a drill to create a hole through the items. If you decide to use a drill, measure the hole to your string to ensure it’s wide enough.
Now, it’s time to decorate the bottle. This is a fun part, and you can involve your kids if they are old enough to use a hot glue gun. If not, you can hold off until the next step for them to participate.
These are the items needed to decorate the wine bottle crafts:
- Floral wire – wrapping around the top of the bottle to connect the star or other item.
- Wire cutters – to cut the floral wire
- Star – for at the top of bottle or other item if wanted just make sure the item has a hole in it or plan to hot glue it.
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Jute twine, cord, string, or rope – that you want to decorate your bottle with.
- Scissors – to cut the cord/rope.
First, you want to put a little hot glue on the lower bottom half of the bottle and start wrapping the cord around it onto the glue. Keep putting more hot glue on the bottle. Continue to wrap the cord around it till you have added enough cord to your liking. Maybe on this part, your child could put the glue on for you as you wrap the cord around. This way you are the one touching the hot glue.
Once the bottom part of the glass bottle is dry, you can proceed to work on the top. First, apply glue around the top and attach the cord by moving it around the bottle until you are satisfied with the placement. After the top has dried, cut a piece of floral wire and thread it through the star. Then wrap the wire around the top of the bottle and twist it to secure it in place.
The last part of making the wine bottle wind chime is making the string that goes through your bottle.
In this part, you can let your little ones look at the picture to find the items needed and put them in order. let them look at the picture for reference and match it up. They could even help with stringing the beads. If your child isn’t old enough or able to make the knots then you can do that part.
Items needed for this part of the wine bottle wind chime diy:
- Leather or suede cord
- Large wooden wheel – Toy wheel 1/4 ” hole (2 in x 5/8 in) – I had found these in a pack of 8.
- Smaller wooden wheels – Toy wheel 1/4 ” hole (1 in x 3/8 in) – I found these in a pack of 12.
- Wooden beads – You can buy just one bag and use these where I have the other beads. I used two different types but feel free to just buy one type to save money. You can also use the ones that you already have. Any can be used even plastic beads as long as your leather cord can fit through the hole.
- Flapper – I used a star
- Cork – cork with a hole through it
- Super glue or E6000 glue – you can always use hot glue too if hot enough.
To start, you’ll need to cut a piece of leather cord. The length may vary depending on the size of the bottle you’re using. It’s better to have a longer cord than a shorter one. I suggest laying the cord next to the beads and wooden wheels to gauge the required length. Remember to account for the extra cord length required for knotting and making a loop at the top for hanging. It’s always better to have a little extra cord than not enough.
To begin, take the end of the cord and insert it through the hole located on the flapper. Tie a knot to secure the cord in place. For added stability, thread a bead onto the cord above the flapper and push a small portion of the cord through the hole in the bead. Refer to the picture for guidance.
Next, hold the cord through the bottle to get a reference on where to put that next bead and large wagon wheel. You will want to clang the large wheel inside the bottle and see where the sound seems nice. If it clangs at the very bottom edge of the bottle it makes a different sound from a little higher up.
Tie a small knot below the bead so it stays in place. Then put on the large wagon wheel followed by a small bead and then with a knot again.
Pull that cord up through the bottle and make sure that is where you want it to hit inside the bottle. With the string still through you will then want to see about where the other beads need to go. This can be a little trial by error since you want the large wagon wheel to hit the spot you want. The smaller beads and smaller wagon wheel will then be up near the neck of the bottle. This will create a blockage that will not let the string pull out of the bottle. You will want to tie on those beads as you just did on the lower part.
We are ready to work with the cork at this step. You will probably need to cut a little bit of it off towards the bottom. Shave it down a bit so it fits into the bottle a little easier and where it can be pushed down into the wine bottle.
Next, you will then have the string up to where you can now thread through the cork. Before you put the cork into the bottle make sure that you have shaved it enough so that it can fit into the bottle. Then you will want to put some type of glue on the cork. Put the glue around the shaved part and up on the sides of it. I used E6000 glue and it worked well. You could always use super glue and maybe even hot glue. Push the cork most of the way into the bottle and let it sit and dry.
Pull the cord that is through the top of the cork and make a loop with it and then tie a knot and put on a bead. You then can put the end of the cord back into the bead for extra security and to hide the end of the cord.
I’d suggest you let your newly made wine bottle wind chime set and dry overnight before hanging.
Once your upcycled wine bottle wind chimes are completely dry give it a test run by hanging it up.
Hopefully, you were able to successfully make your wind chime and will enjoy hanging it in a nice place.
These are also fun to make and give as a gift. It’s a great way to upcycle/recycle a wine bottle.
If you like my rustic wine bottle wind chime follow all my steps and supplies needed. But if you would like to be creative in a different way go for it. That is part of the fun of creating something unique.
This could be easily changed up by using plastic or glass beads and different flappers. Also by painting your bottle or gluing other items on it. Don’t be afraid to make a unique wind chime.
Let your kids be creative if they are making one with you. They could pick out items they want to use on it.
This could make a fun family craft to do in the summer months.
If you don’t have a wine bottle this can also be made with any other empty bottles such as a glass beer bottle or any other glass bottle.
If you are not a wine lover, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or neighbor they might be able to supply you with some empty wine bottles and corks. Be sure to have a few extra bottles in case it doesn’t cut right.
These wind chimes look nice and can be hung in places just for decoration inside or outside.
Wine bottle wind chimes don’t make a loud and annoying sound if you use wooden wheels. It is a quite subtle sound but can be changed and adapted to what kind of sound you would like.
A wine bottle wind chime can be the perfect gift for someone and make a gorgeous addition to someone’s back yard.
This is a craft you can do on your own or could be a fun family craft. Your family can do this together depending on the ages and capabilities of your kids.