How to Make a Terracotta Flowerpot Wind Chime

While vacationing in Mexico last year, I came across some elaborately decorated wind chimes made from terracotta flowerpots. They were beautifully painted, with bright colors and festive designs. Upon closer inspection, I realized that it would take little time and resources to make one of these for my own porch or as a gift. I also realized with a little supervision, this would make a great craft project for children.

Items needed to Make Terracotta Wind Chimes

-3 or 5 Three-inch terracotta flowerpots (you can use larger pots to make a bigger wind chime)
-6 feet of twine
-Assorted Acrylic paints
-Stencils (optional)
-Variety of transfer (rub-on) art (optional)
-Artist paintbrushes
-Mod Podge or other type of sealer
-Power drill (optional)
-Duct tape (optional)
-Painter's tape (optional)
-Sandpaper (medium)

Instructions for Making Terracotta Wind Chimes

First, make sure each terracotta flowerpot has a hole in the bottom, if there is none you will need to drill a hole about the size of a dime. One trick I use to help prevent the pot from cracking is to put duct tape over the area where I am going to drill the hole. After the holes are drilled, use sandpaper to create a rough texture to the surface of the pots.

If you are going to paint straight horizontal or vertical lines around the pots, you can use painter's tape to insure straight, accurate lines. Do not remove the painter's tape until all paint is dry. You can also utilize stencils to paint accurate shapes, jagged lines and other objects. Be sure to hold them in place with some tape and wait until paint is dry before removing.

Another decorative item to use on the flowerpots is transfer art. Transfer art, also known as rub-on art, is easy to apply and makes objects look as if they were created by a professional.

NOTE: Keep in mind that the flowerpots will hang upside down, so several inches of the bottom part of the pot will be covered by the one above it, except for the top one, which you will be able to see all of it.

After you have your flowerpots decorated, cover them with two to three coats of Mod Podge or other sealant. This will help protect the paint. Be sure to let each coat dry before applying the next.

Fold the six-foot length of twine in half and tie a knot in the end to make a loop. Insert the looped end through the inside hole of one of the flowerpots, pulling the knotted end up to the hole.

NOTE: Make sure all knots are large enough so that they will not slip through the holes.

Slip the next flowerpot on the twine to the level you want it to hang (should cover flowerpot below it by approximately one to one and one-half inches. Slide the flowerpot back off and tie a knot in the twine and slide the flowerpot back on upside down. Repeat this until you have all flowerpots positioned and tied in place. For the last flowerpot, tie a knot close to the outside of the hole to secure twine. Your terracotta wind chimes are now ready to hang.

Sources: Mexican Gift Shop, Personal Experience