How to Make Mirrored Wind Spinners
Decorate Doorways and Windows with Mirrors and Beads
Recycle old jewelry and key chains to make fun decorations for hanging in the doorway or window. Wind spinners throw light around the area while spinning in the breeze.
Supplies
- beads
- mirrors (no bigger than one inch in diameter)
- weather proof adhesive
- fishing line
- key rings or s-hooks
- long piece of scrap cardboard
Instructions
- Cut a piece of fishing line slightly more than twice the length that you desire for your wind spinner.
- Pick a pendant, large bead, or some other large feature to use as the wind catcher. This will be the largest decorative object on your wind spinner.
- Arrange beads in a pleasing pattern for the length of your spinner, as you plan the pattern leave spaces for the mirrors.
- Thread your pendant or loop your pendant so that it will hang at the middle of your length of fishing line.
- Use the doubled ends of the fishing line to thread the beads according to your pattern.
- Lay the threaded spinner out on a piece of cardboard. Tape down the pendant end of the spinner (use a low-tack tape such as painter's tape)..
- Space the beads so that there are gaps where the mirrors will fit.
- Tape down the remaining fishing line at the top end of the spinner.
- Select two mirrors. Smear adhesive on the back side of one mirror. Lay it down on the cardboard and slide it into the gap in the beads. Press the fishing line into the middle of the glue on the mirror.
- Take the second mirror and press it down on top of the glued mirror, sandwiching the fishing line between the two mirrors.
- Finish inserting all the mirrored tiles. Allow the glue to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- When the adhesive is dry, fix an s-hook or key ring to the top of the wind spinner to use as a hanger. Polish the mirrors and remove any glue as necessary.
- Hang up the wind spinner and enjoy the dancing bits of light the moving mirrors will toss around the yard or room.
Helpful Hints and Suggestions
- Do not worry if the mirrors are not perfectly centered. Mirrors that are slightly off center allow the spinner to move more freely and quickly when touched by a light breeze.
- A great place to buy old jewelry is the thrift store. The local Goodwill often fills jars with jewelry and gives them a bulk price. Buy the jewelry on a color tag day for fifty percent off or more. Then you will have loads of beads and pendants to play with for next to no money.
- Try to mix lighter (plastic or wooden beads) with heavy glass beads otherwise the spinner will get very heavy.
The copyright of the article How to Make Mirrored Wind Spinners in Beadwork/Jewelry Making is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish How to Make Mirrored Wind Spinners must be granted by the author in writing.
