When I cleaned out my closet the other day, I found a pair of jeans that I haven’t been able to pull over my ever-spreading laptop butt for about 10 years. Yeah, I know. I should have tossed them out or recycled them ages ago, but they were always my favorite 😉 Soft, comfy, the right length and not too tight around the waist. Either way, it was finally time to upcycle them and make this denim wind chime for my bestie.

How to make an upcycled denim wind chimes using a tin can and an assortment of beads and metal charms. #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

Fortunately, most of the beads I used for the denim wind chime came from one of my chunky necklaces that broke many moons ago. Don’t you just love the combination of faded denim, beads, and silver charms?

Using a combination of beads and metal charms helps create a unique sound on the upcycled denim wind chimes #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

It’s like dressing up a pair of jeans with diamonds and pearls. Okay, before we get to the tutorial, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!

What you need

  • Pair of old jeans
  • Empty tin can
  • An assortment of beads and charms
  • Fishing Line
  • Drill or sharp metal skewer
  • Needle and thread or fabric adhesive
  • Crimper/ long nose pliers
  • Crimp tubes (optional)

What you need to make the upcycled denim wind chime with beads and charms  #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

How to make a denim wind chime with beads and charms

Unlike our jelly mold wind chime and the fairy wind chimes, this one does take a while to put together, but it’s so worth it in the end. To make things easier, I’ve divided the tutorial into two parts:

  • Creating a cover for the tin can using an old pair of jeans
  • Joining and hanging the beads and charms from the tin can to make the wind chime

Covering the tin can in denim

Decide which bits of denim you’d like to use to cover the tin can. Since the pocket and zip detail on these old jeans have so much character, I decided to use them. Save the scraps to make this tin can barrel bag planter. Lay the tin can on its side and wrap the jeans around it. Position those interesting bits where you need want them to go and cut accordingly. Make sure to leave a 2″ seam allowance when you cut the fabric.

Place your cut denim around the tin can and measure where to cut #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

Trace around the bottom of the can. Add an extra 1” and cut out. We’ll use the circle a little later to finish the wind chime and neaten everything.

Trace around the tin can and cut a circle for later #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

Place the denim you cut earlier around the tin can and hand-sew the seams together.  You can also use fabric adhesive or extra-strong glue.

Hand sew the denim around the tin can. You can also use fabric adhesive #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

I cut an extra bit of denim and frayed the edges to wrap around the bottom of the tin can and neaten everything up.

Add a strip of frayed denim to neaten things up #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

Adding the beads and charms

On the bottom of the tin can, mark off eight equal segments on the outside and eight more kinda halfway inward. Drill holes as shown below.

Thread the fishing line through the holes made earlier and secure with hot glue #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

Time to figure out which beads and charms need to go where 😉 For the denim wind chime to be visually appealing, I needed to find a balance between the different beads I had in my stash and distribute them evenly between the 17 holes I drilled in the bottom of the tin can. Play around with your bead collection before deciding what goes where.

Play around with the bead combinations. The different metals and types of beads will create a unique sound and the lengths add visual interest to the denim wind chime #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

I choose to hang the beads in layers, short on the outside, medium in the middle, with a single, longer strand in the center. The beads are all strung onto the fishing line, and I used crimp tubes to space the groupings of beads.  

Use bead crimpers (crimp tubes) to space the beads on the fishing line #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

If you’ve never used crimp tubes before, here’s a great video that will show you how easy it is.

Use bead crimpers (crimp tubes) to space the beads on the fishing line #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

All-in-all, the beadwork probably took an hour to plan and string. Just make sure to leave enough fishing line to attach the beads to the tin can. A significant portion of the fishing line will be hidden inside the can.

The different metals and types of beads will create a unique sound and the lengths add visual interest to the denim wind chime #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

Once all the beads have been strung, you can thread the fishing line up through the holes you drilled earlier. Adjust the length of the beads and charms, and then use crimp tubes and glue to secure them in place.

Thread the fishing line through the holes made earlier and secure with hot glue #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

To hide the hot mess on top of the tin can, glue the denim circle you cut earlier. Finally, cut strips of denim and tie them around the belt loops to hang.

Cut strips of the denim to hand the upcycled denim wind chime #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

And that’s it. The denim wind chime is all done 😀

Using interesting pieces from an old pair of jeans adds visual interest to the upcycled denim wind chime #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

The silver keys and leaf skeletons make the most amazing tinkling sound when the wind dances around the chime.

A close up of the delicate silver leaves and keys on the upcycled denim wind chime #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

And every now and again, that large crystal at the bottom catches a sunbeam too.

An oversized faux crystal in the center ensures that the beads and charms will move together to create that beautiful tinkling sound #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

I was fortunate to find a whole bunch of porcelain shell beads too. The colors worked so well with the denim.

The different metals and types of beads create a unique sound #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

One day I’ll figure out how to make those silver leaf skeletons. Aren’t they gorgeous? We’ve used them before to make this dainty concrete fairy light.

A close up of the delicate silver leaves and keys on the upcycled denim wind chime #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

If you like the idea of upcycling a tin can and making a denim mobile with beads and charms, don’t forget to pin it for later.

Repurpose an old pair of jeans to make this gorgeous wind chime. The full tutorial will show you how to make one using a tin can and an assortment of beads and charms. Get the step-by-step instruction @ACraftyMix

Sharing is caring 😉

How to make an upcycled denim wind chimes using a tin can and an assortment of beads and metal charms. #DIYDenim #DenimIdeas #DenimMobile #DenimUpcycleIdeas #ACraftyMix #DenimUpcycle #DIYWindChime #TinCanRecycle #TinCanMobile #DenimWindChime

Now I need to find myself another pair of comfy jeans 😀 Oh, and if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered. Disclosure: Clicking on the links below means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry, it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more amazing craft ideas to share with you 😉

Milumia Women's Mid Waist Skinny Ripped Casual Denim Jeans Pants Blue Medium
Cornucopia 1 Gallon Empty Paint Can + 1 Quart Empty Paint Can (Combo 2-Pack); Unlined Metal Cans w/Lids
CHEAVIAN 45PCS 8mm Natural Blue White Sodalite Gemstone Round Loose Beads for Jewelry Making 1 Strand 15'

Or if you prefer to buy rather than DIY

DEI Fish Wind Chime, Blue
Wind Chime - Unique and Beautiful Agate Slices for Home or Garden Decor
Chesapeake Bay Ocean Blue Capiz Shell Wind Chime One Size Blue

And as always, wishing you a wonderful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.

Made with love by a Crafty Mix