Pinterest Shows You How To Turn Antique Keys Into A Beautiful Wind Chime

Old keys can be beautiful objects on their own — particularly antique skeleton keys, which come in a variety of sizes once used to open everything from front doors to miniature jewelry boxes. Usually made of steel and very durable, these keys boast all manner of decorative tops and intricate notches, which make them fascinating to look at and a nod to a storied past. You can often find them in antique stores, flea markets, and estate sales sold singly or in lots, or via online venues like Etsy or eBay. You may even have some of your own jangling around in junk drawers. What you may not know is there are numerous creative ways to repurpose these keys, including very cool DIY projects seen on Pinterest that will make a whimsical wind chime using only a few keys, a hanger of some sort, and some twine, rope, or chain. 

This wind chime is a simple, rustic home accent perfect for a porch or patio, or placed inside for catching open window breezes. This DIY and all its variations are great ways to upcycle beautiful old keys into something new and a charming budget-friendly alternative to store-bought wind chimes. Wind chimes are not only a beautiful outdoor accent, but their chimes and sounds can help you unwind.

The simplest, most basic version of this DIY involves hanging old keys from a piece of wood or stick. Begin by wrapping twine around the ends of the stick to create a hanger, then continue the colored twine along the stick as an accent. Use the twine to string several keys spaced evenly along the stick all at the same length close enough together that they will clink when they encounter a breeze. While skeleton keys of all sizes are beautiful for this project, you can also use newer keys alone or interspersed with older ones, which are often great for producing melodic sounds. 

More complex versions of this DIY project incorporate the same engineering, but use other means of suspending the keys, like using a wooden ring or embroidery hoop to create a round version that allows the keys to hang closer together at various lengths. You can also add more keys strung along the length of each strand for additional sound, which is particularly effective if you have many small keys. Use the lid of a mason jar and punch through holes for several round O-rings around the rim to hang key keys from. Other fun variations on this idea feature smaller keys hung in a sculptural spiral shape or using an upcycled base of a garden rake as a hanger.

With all these options for construction, customizing your wind chime can make the project yours. Instead of twine, try using chain, colored yarn, rope, fishing line, or strung beads. Each material will impact how the chime works and hangs, as well as its beauty and aesthetic. Try hanging your keys interspersed with crystals or pearls for a more romantic look or use simple rope for a more rustic version. You can also add additional accents like bells, colored beads, shells, pieces of old costume jewelry, or buttons. It's a fantastic opportunity to use up some of the small metal items from your junk drawer. For a dash of color, you can also paint your keys, which is a smart way to hide any rust or damage. 

To keep your key wind chime looking good, you may want to add a clear acrylic cost to the keys and wood elements since lots of moisture can cause some rust and damage. You may also have to occasionally replace the wine, rope, or chain if it shows fading, decay, or deterioration.