Driftwood Wind-Catcher

If you enjoy recycling and can operate a cordless drill, you will enjoy this craft. By making use of reclaimed fishing line and pretty beach treasures, your craft will be capable of displaying the magical energy of wind. You will be the envy of your friends and family!

Tip: Did you know that used fishing line is frequently found cluttering the ground, near bodies of water? This is a hazard for all wildlife, including birds and sea creatures. It can be gathered and rolled onto a bathroom tissue roll to be reclaimed for crafting purposes!

Please note: Exercise caution when collecting, as there still may be hooks attached to fishing line.

Approx. Time to Complete: 45 - 60 minutes

List of Materials:

• four unique pieces of driftwood
• one fourteen-inch piece of driftwood to be used for main horizontal base - herein called main base
• one nine-inch piece of driftwood to be used for secondary horizontal base herein called secondary base
• five seashells of varying size
• one small piece of sea glass
• approx. 60 Inches of reclaimed fishing line or new monofilament line
• approx. 18 Inches of jute or hemp string
• cordless drill
• 1/8 inch drill bit
• 3/16 inch Drill bit
• scissors
• permanent marker
• drill friendly work surface

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Lay out:

Lay out driftwood, shells, and sea glass on a table or the floor with an idea of how you would like to design your wind-catcher. Separate into three hanging sections.

Preparing Materials:

Prep of Main Base: Drill three 1/8 inch holes in main base. Holes should be placed one inch from bottom (A, B, and C, see diagram) and must allow for proper balance and attachment of the three hanging sections. Now drill two 3/16 inch hanger holes, one inch from top (D and E, see diagram).

Prep of Secondary Base: Drill three 1/8 inch holes. Holes should be placed one inch from bottom of secondary base (F, G, and H, see diagram). Please consider the balance of the pieces that will hang from the base and space evenly.

Driftwood pieces and shells: Take driftwood and shells, drill holes approx. one inch from top and if necessary, one inch from bottom. (Bottom hole is only necessary, if hanging another piece of driftwood or shell from the current item). There will be one piece of driftwood that will hang horizontally, please drill accordingly.

Assembly:

Attach main and secondary base: Thread a seven-inch length of fishing line through first pre-drilled hole of main base (A, see diagram). Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Now thread opposite end of fishing line through pre-drilled hole of secondary base (G, see diagram) and anchor with a double overhand knot.

Thread a nine-inch length of fishing line through pre-drilled hole of secondary base (F, see diagram). Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Now add a piece of driftwood to opposite end of fishing line, anchor with double overhand knot.

The first dangler has now been created.

Thread a four inch length of fishing line through pre-drilled hole of secondary base (H, see diagram). Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Now anchor first seashell to opposite end of fishing line with double overhand knot.

Next step, thread a four-inch length of fishing line through the bottom pre-drilled hole on first seashell. Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Anchor second seashell to opposite end of fishing line with double overhand knot.

To finish, thread a four-inch length of fishing line through the bottom pre-drilled hole of second seashell. Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Now anchor the horizontal driftwood piece at opposite end of fishing line with double overhand knot.

The second dangler has now been created.

Thread a four inch length of fishing line through pre-drilled hole of main base (B, see diagram). Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Now anchor first seashell of middle section to opposite end of fishing line with double overhand knot.

Next, thread a four-inch length of fishing line through the bottom pre-drilled hole on seashell. Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Now anchor second seashell of middle section to opposite end of fishing line with double overhand knot.

Thread a four inch length of fishing line through the bottom pre-drilled hole on seashell. Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Now anchor third seashell to opposite end of fishing line with double overhand knot.

To finish, wind sea glass, twice horizontally and twice vertically with fishing line and form an overhand knot to secure. Now anchor to above seashell using opposite end of fishing line and secure with double overhand knot. Please note: Fishing line will unwind unless held tightly before knot is formed

The third dangler has now been created.

Thread a four-inch length of fishing line through pre-drilled hole of main base (C, see diagram). Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Add a piece of driftwood to opposite end of fishing line, anchor with double overhand knot.

To finish, thread a four-inch length of fishing line through the bottom pre-drilled hole on driftwood. Form a double overhand knot to secure fishing line. Anchor another piece of driftwood to opposite end of fishing line with double overhand knot.

Congratulations, the fourth dangler has been created.

To complete your driftwood wind-catcher project:

Take the 18-inches of string, push through pre-drilled holes on main base (D and E, see diagram) and form a hanger. Secure with double overhand knots.

Using a permanent marker, write poetry or words of inspiration on both sides of horizontal driftwood.

Hang your beautifully crafted wind-catcher outdoors! Enjoy.

By Lisa Adams from Halifax, Nova Scotia