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Make Your Own DIY Rain Chains

Beautiful ideas for DIY Rain Chains - Featured Image square

Make Your Own DIY Rain Chains

Do you know what a rain chain is? They are an attractive alternative to those boring downspouts connected to our home’s gutters. Downspouts are incredibly beneficial since they help direct the draining of water during a rain storm. But, let’s be frank, unless they are gorgeous copper round downspouts, they don’t look great. But, did you know there’s a more beautiful solution? Ladies and gentlemen, be prepared to be wowed.

What do you think about those pretty rain chains instead of a downspout? Love them? What if I told you it is possible to make your own rain chains using various materials that you may have lying around the house.

Here are 21 awesome DIY Rain Chains you can make!

Make a beautiful copper rain chain with leaf shaped pieces cut from thin sheet metal.

Create this tranquil and pretty outdoor water feature using a stock tank and rain chains.

Make this copper ring DIY Rain Chain using copper tubing.

Use mini terracotta pots to create this fun DIY Ombre Rain Chain.

Add some whimsy to your yard with this DIY Cookie Cutter Rain Chain.

Use copper tubing and stones to make this beautiful, natural rain chain.

Turn these cute galvanized buckets into a DIY Bucket Rain Chain.

If your budget is tight, consider making this DIY Plastic Cup Rain Chain.

Learn how to make this stunning DIY Glass and Copper Rain Chain.

Make this DIY Funnel Rain Chain using aluminum funnels and chain.

Repurpose old silverware by bending it and creating this funky DIY Silverware Rain Chain.

Do you love succulents? Add more to your life by making a DIY Copper Rain Chain Succulent Planter.

Wire vintage spoons together to make this DIY Bent Spoon Homemade Rain Chain.

Create a fun and bright rain chain for your garden using dollar store watering cans.

Have kids help you show your love for the environment by creating this DIY Reused Plastic Yogurt Cup Rain Chain.

Create a Key Rain Chain with a large collection of old keys.

Use old shower hooks to create this DIY Hook Rain Chain.

Have extra zip ties lying around the house? Create this amazing Neon Zip Tie Rain Chain.

Add whimsy to your yard by creating this DIY Tart Tin Rain Chain with colorful glass beads.

Drill through polished stone to create this amazing DIY Polished Stone Rain Chain.

Finally, here’s another Wire Wrapped Rock Rain Chain that would be gorgeous and easy to make.

I hope you loved this collection of ideas to make your own Rain Chain! Do you have other ideas for creating a beautiful rain chain for your home or garden? I’d love to hear it! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

If you liked this roundup of ideas, please share this image on Pinterest to get the word out!

Hi, I’m Sheri from Hazel + Gold Designs. Here are a few fun stats about me: I ~~like~~ love chocolate and peanut butter (together of course.) If you like stats, I have been crocheting for about 16 years, crafting for 20, and woodworking for about 4 years. I found a passion in making and being creative and began documenting my projects online at Hazel + Gold Designs.

When not working on projects, I enjoy spending time with my husband, four children, perfect dog, and ornery cat. You can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

Read all of Sheri’s tutorials.

~Find more of Sheri’s projects here ~

April 19, 2019/3 Comments/by Sheri

copper, DIY, Do It Yourself, Home Office

DIY Concrete Desk Organizer

Hi! It’s Sheri from Hazel + Gold, and I’m excited to share this DIY Concrete Desk Organizer tutorial with you! This organizer was born from necessity. Do you have a jar or cup-like pen holder? Have you ever knocked it over reaching for a pen or pencil? I did this all the time!

One reason they tip is because they aren’t big enough to hold all my items. The other reason is these containers aren’t weighted enough. I knew there must be a better way and I’ve been itching to use concrete for a project. It dawned on me I should make something out of concrete to store my pens, pencils, and paintbrushes. Fellow pen and utensil tippers, want to learn how to create this awesome DIY concrete desk organizer? Then let’s do it!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions:

Cut scrap wood to create the box mold for the organizer. A rectangle is space saving and easy to create.

Use three pieces at 8 ½” x 4 ½” and two pieces 5″ x 4 ½”.

The longer pieces will make the bottom and sides, while the two smaller pieces create the ends. Spread wood glue along the joints. (Wood glue holds great but allows the box to be easily removed later on.)

Use clamps to assemble and secure the mold while the glue cures.

Let the glue dry for an hour. Then your box mold is ready for casting!

Prepping Mold and Adding Concrete:

To prevent the concrete from adhering to the wood, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the inside of the box mold.

Collect your wine tumblers, concrete mix, water, and stir sticks. (I used large plastic cups to mix the concrete and ended up having to mix three different batches. If you have a larger container you can make one large batch.)

Mix the concrete according to the instructions on the package. You may have to do a bit of math because people typically use larger quantities of concrete and every concrete is different. I mixed it to a milkshake consistency and it came out perfect.

Pour the concrete into the mold, allowing room for the wine glasses.

Set the wine tumblers into the concrete. Make sure they are level, then use masking tape to hold them in place. Pour in more concrete until it reaches the height that you desire. Make sure the widest part of the glasses are submerged in the concrete to hold them securely.

Remove the mold:

Once the concrete cures (mine only took one day) remove the box mold. Use a knife to pry the sections apart at the joints.

They should come apart easily.

The sides may still look dark, but it will lighten up.

Clean up and Paint:

Clean off all the splatter marks from the glasses. Use a retractable knife to lightly scrape the residue off. Follow up with a soft cloth to clean the glasses. They should clean up easily!

Time to make it pretty! Use some masking tape to mask off a line.

Paint the bottom section (or wherever you prefer) with metallic copper paint.

Add a piece of felt to the bottom to prevent your organizer from scratching the surface it sits on.

Your modern DIY Concrete Desk Organizer is finished!

You can use it in your shop, the kitchen, your office, or anywhere you desire!

Wait until you see the huge number of supplies it will hold without tipping over!

What do you think? Would you make one of these DIY Concrete Desk Organizers? Share your thoughts in the comments below and remember to pin this image to Pinterest so no one has to suffer with tipping containers ever again!

Thanks for reading! Come on over to Hazel + Gold and say “Hi!”

Hi, I’m Sheri from Hazel + Gold Designs. Here are a few fun stats about me: I ~~like~~ love chocolate and peanut butter (together of course.) If you like stats, I have been crocheting for about 16 years, crafting for 20, and woodworking for about 4 years. I found a passion in making and being creative and began documenting my projects online at Hazel + Gold Designs.

When not working on projects, I enjoy spending time with my husband, four children, perfect dog, and ornery cat. You can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

Read all of Sheri’s tutorials.

~Find more of Sheri’s projects here ~

June 1, 2018/0 Comments/by Sheri

copper, DIY, Do It Yourself

Copper Air Plant Display

Hi everyone! This is Lindi, visiting again from Love Create Celebrate. Is it fall where you are? I live in Northern Canada and autumn has definitely come to my neck of the woods! The leaves are falling, the air is crisp, and the apple pies are baking. Fall is my favorite season! I know that we all decorate for fall with pumpkins and leaves, but I love incorporating copper into my fall decor. This little Air Plant Display looks great in any season, but really shines during autumn!

We recently had to replace our old dishwasher (long sad story…), that had old soft copper tubing. My husband knows me so well that he saved this without even asking me. He was sure I would want to DIY something with it, and he was 100% correct (for once! haha). My mind was swimming with ideas. Since I’m mildly obsessed with these no-soil, low maintenance air plants, I thought I would combine the two!

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Materials:

Instructions:

This project couldn’t be easier! Just grab your copper tubing and cut it to the sizes you want using the pipe cutter.

Then mold your baking clay into a base for your plants. You can press the edges on a flat surface and use a knife to cut the edges straight.

Set the copper pipe into the clay base. Then bake it together (as per the instructions on the clay package).

Since I’m a visual learner, I made a quick DIY video to show you how to do it yourself:

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel on YouTube!

Do you like copper as much as I do? What do you think of this project? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you love the look of copper, be sure to check out the Copper Fall Wreath I made last year!

For more DIY decor inspiration visit Love Create Celebrate.

~ view more projects by Lindi ~

September 28, 2016/4 Comments/by Love Create Celebrate

Birdhouse, copper, decor, DIYCourage, drill, Landscaping, Landscaping & Gardening

How to Install a Birdhouse on a Post

Install a Post Mounted Birdhouse | Pretty Handy Girl

Hey y’all! I’m back with another easy tutorial. This is another #DIYCourage project sponsored by Duluth Trading Co. Do you love birds? Want to add some birdhouses to your property without attaching them to trees? Today I’m going to share a super simply DIY project that will make the birds happy and make you smile. Learn how to install a birdhouse on a post within an hour.

My sons and I love watching the birds come to our kitchen window feeder. We want to make our yard a welcome place for all birds. We wanted to add more birdhouses to the yard by adding a two-story birdhouse. We already have two birdhouses (one that is a little wacky and made with knives), but I’ve always admired the two story birdhouse condos that house eight nests. When I saw one at the Southern Ideal Home Show (with a discounted price tag) I snatched it up.

Install a Birdhouse on a Post Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

How to Install a Birdhouse on a Post Instructions:

Select a location to install your birdhouse. Try to find a spot that will get a decent amount of shade during the day (to keep the birdies from getting too hot.)

Twist the post anchor into the ground. When it becomes difficult to turn, insert the pry bar for added leverage.

Set your 4×4 post into the anchor.

Wood & Copper Cake Stand

Hello Pretty Handy Readers – Jaime here today from That’s My Letter to share a diy project that combines two of my favorite materials: wood and copper. I’m sharing how to make this wood and copper cake stand.

This is a fairly simple project that could be tailored to fit your style with paint or stain. I choose to leave the wood natural, only sealing it with clear polyurethane, because I love the contrast of the wood against the chocolate frosting (and most cakes around our house are made with chocolate frosting!).

The warm shiny copper is the star of the show here and can easily be found at any hardware store.

Supplies:

1×12 pine board scrap @ 10″l
1×8 pine board scrap @ 7 1 /4″l
3/4″ copper piping @ 12″
3/4″ wood dowel @ 12″
pipe cutter
jigsaw
finish nailer & 1 1/4″nails
drill & 7/8″ spade bit
measuring tape
pencil
sandpaper
clear satin spray polyurethane

Instructions:

Step 1: Use a plate or other 10″ circular object to trace a circle shape onto 1×12 scrap.

Step 2: Trace both a large circle shape onto the 1×12 and a smaller circle shape onto the 1×8. Then cut out circles using a jigsaw and sand edges well. Spray with clear satin polyurethane before assembly.

Step 3: On the smaller circle draw another even smaller circle (about 4″ in diameter). Make 3 equidistant holes with 7/8″ spade bit drilling only partially down into wood.

Step 4: Cut copper using pipe cutter into 4″ lengths. Cut wood dowel to 4″ lengths and shove inside copper pipe.

Step 5: Place copper & wood sections into pre-drilled holes in smaller wood circle. You can use some glue here. I chose to secure with a finish nail from the bottom as well. Now center the larger wood circle on top and trace the copper pipes with a pencil. Pre-drill holes into the underside of the top larger wood circle and attach the top (use glue if desired).