Canning Band Wind Chime

If you are like me, by which I mean an obsessive canner, then you end up with lots of used and extra lids and bands.  If you are also like me in your inability to throw these things away, then your kitchen is full of them.

What to do, what to do?  You'd better make use of them.

We decided to make a wind chime using sticks, jar bands, and yarn.

In addition to using materials we had on hand, this project also spotlighted fine motor skills for Ellis.  He practiced cutting.

And tying.

I love it when he gets so intense and focused.

We also got to practice balance.  I was pleased to find out that he understood how to fix it when it was out of balance.

Uh-oh.  I spy a gazillion more bands waiting in the background.  Watch for more canning lid and band crafts coming right up.

How we made ours:

Materials:
2 longish, straightish sticks
Yarn in colors that please you
Canning jar bands
optional: other things to hang

Cross the sticks at their centers and wrap yarn around the cross to attach them.  Cut various lengths of yarn.  Tie lids to the yarn and tie the other end to the sticks.  It's useful to either hang the sticks up first or balance it somewhere so you can tie the lids on without everything getting all tangled.  We placed ours on two chair backs.  Test your wind chime to make sure it's balanced.  Make adjustments as needed.  Hang somewhere with a breeze.