Create Dreamy Hanging Decor With This Easy Egg Carton DIY

In an average year, many households go through dozens of egg cartons that typically just wind up in the trash. There are, however, some amazing egg carton upcycling projects, including stunning decorative bowls and stylish DIY vases that reuse this valuable, durable paperboard resource. YouTube DIYer Roobi's Passion recently showed off an ingenious way to turn egg carton recesses into a budget-friendly wind chime perfect for hanging in your home to add soothing sound and whimsical style. Using a cut-up egg carton, bells, beads, twine, and a wooden dowel, you can create a custom décor piece for nearly nothing.

This mobile is perfect for hanging in front of the window to catch a breeze or on a door to chime gently when it opens or closes. While it's not waterproof due to the paperboard, you can also hang it outside in a sheltered spot like an overhang or porch. For a version to hang outside in the elements, opt for styrofoam or plastic egg cartons and add a waterproof coat to protect your paint.

Begin by cutting your egg carton along the individual recesses and trimming away the excess until you have several pieces that resemble bells. You can leave them natural or paint them to match your décor with acrylic paints. After they dry, string a bell onto a length of twine, then add the bell over the top, topping it off with some decorative beads of choice. Repeat the process with pieces of twine in different lengths. For extra decorative accents, knot the twine and add beads further up the string, adding weight to the line and keeping it from getting tangled as easily. String the twine pieces over a wooden dowel by creating a knot, leaving the excess twine at the top and adding a bead where it meets the dowel. You can also add a bead with a dab of hot glue to finish the ends. Use the rest of the twine at the top gathered together to create a hanger, knotting it where they come together and creating a loop for hanging. 

This easy wind chime can be customized to fit your décor, including paint shades, the beads you choose, and how large you want it to be. For a colorful look, choose rainbow beads and brightly colored bells, or for more neutral spaces, paint them a neutral shade and add natural wooden beads to the piece. You can also string beads the entire length of the twine. While this DIY creates a set of horizontal bell chimes, you can substitute the dowel for an embroidery hook to make a cute circular version. You can also add bells to this similarly constructed floral wall décor DIY to achieve a similar chime effect.