Wind Catchers

For craft day with the grandchildren, we made wind catchers. I sterilized water bottles and removed the labels and glue on them. To remove the labels and glue, I used cooking oil and baking soda mixed. I added baking soda to the oil so it was enough to make a thicker paste, so it will cling to the labels and glue.

I added this to the labels and glue and let them set for a few minutes. I then started to work the paste into the label and glue to remove them. After all of it was removed, I washed the bottles again with Dawn dish soap to remove all of the residue. I let them dry overnight.

I knew I needed a cutter to cut the bottles, so I made two of them. One was narrower and one was wider. Here is a picture of the cutters.

Now was the time for decorating the bottles. I let the kids color and draw on the bottles with permanent Sharpie markers. You can use any size water bottles and also any number of bottles. I used five bottles per wind catcher. After the grandchildren colored the bottles, I cut the bottom off of the bottles. After the bottom was cut off, I ran it through the cutter. Remember this is a sharp blade, so you don't cut yourself. After you get to the top of the bottle, you will need to pull the cut part back through the blades.

For the rod to hang these on, I used clothes hangers. I cut off the long part and curled the ends up for the chain, Then I spray painted this so it will be weather proof and also bright so you can see it through the bottle tops. Then I threaded the bottle tops onto the clothes hanger.

I bought cheap small chain from Walmart. It had the hooks to go with it too. So I measured out the length and cut the chain. Then I added the chain to the up turned hooks and crimped the loops tight. In the center of the chain, I added the hook and crimped the chain end closed.

I took this outside and clear coated the whole thing with UV clear coat. I hung it up to dry. Here is the results.

I added bells to the kids wind catchers. The grandchildren were very happy.