Monday, September 1, 2008

I Felt Crafty Today

I felt a little crafty today so decided to make a rain chain. Y'all know what a rain chain is right? Generally it goes on the eave of your roof where the rain ruins off and acts kind of like a down spout. I have this corner where the two pitches of my roof comes together and when it rains, since I don't have any gutters, it just really pours off there. I don't know how practical the rain chain is but I like the looks of it and the copper should patina nicely. I've seen some with little bells on it but I have a beautiful wind chime nearby and didn't really want to interfere with it.

So with this roll of copper tubing that I've had for a while I decide it was as good a time as any to make the rain chain. The plan was to make individual rings of copper of two different sizes but I didn't like the look of that so I did spirals and circles and hooked them together. I had a 2" PVC pipe and just started wrapping it around that to give it nice curves. Some I wrapped tighter than others. Then I used a pipe cutting tool to cut different lengths of links and pliers to hook the links together. It was harder to work with than I thought it would be but I kind of like it.

Since I have left over tubing I may make another one, only shorter, to hang out near my bird feeders just to be decorative and give the birds something else to perch on.


I'll let y'all know if it really works or if it is just a crazy piece of yard art.

10 comments:

Susan Carlin said...

Hadn't heard of a rain chain before this. I like the idea of it and the looks of yours. Fun to "see" you at Dave's tonight!

Karen Hargett said...

Thanks Susan I've seen them in expensive catalogs and backyard stores - but none are as neat looking as mine ;-)

Good to see you at Dave's too - sorry I had to leave early though. I'll have to go check out how it turned out.

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

I like the design of the whole area - the placing of the geese is delightful.

Karen Hargett said...

Hey Onpainting thanks for dropping by! I bought those ducks a 100 years ago and they show it up close but can't seem to part with them yet. I think the arrangement works too - it was fun to do.

Barbara Pask said...

Very cool Karen, I've seen these on tv before. Let us know how it works.

Karen Hargett said...

Hi Barb! Thanks. I will certainly let y'all know how this works.

Angela Fehr said...

Love the idea, and I have the perfect place to put one of my own. Don't have copper tubing though...what can I substitute? pipe cleaners? twist ties?

Karen Hargett said...

Hi Angela! LOL I don't think pipe cleaners or twist ties will work but you can use an actual chain. Connect different lengths of chain with pieces of an old wind chime or bells - anything to add character. Even to put a 8' chain, 6' chain, 4' chain and a 2' chain together on one of those very small metal hoops (wreath forms??) and hang it from that would be cool. You might be surprised to see what you come up with. If you ever replace the copper tubing to your icemaker use that - it would be perfect. Let me know what you come up with ;-)

Unknown said...

I never heard of a rain chain till the other day I saw one being made on a PBS garden show. And now I see yours. awesome I just might have t o give this a try next year.

Karen Hargett said...

Toni I'm sure you will come up with a very unique and wonderful rain chain that would fit your garden perfectly. You'll have fun making it for sure. Who knows maybe even your butterflies would like it ;-) it certainly adds a bit of whimsy to my garden.