Replacing broken string on wind chimes - best material and aesthetic?
June 4, 2020 10:25 PM Subscribe
Some tree removal workers accidentally broke my beloved wind chimes today, and I'm attempting repairs. What should I use to replace the string? Is there a weather-resistant metal chain that is 1/8" or 3mm in width available? What color should I go with?
The wind chimes were obtained abroad from an artisan and are handmade white ceramic bells with a little iron oxide stain rubbed into natural fissures in the clay. There are no exact duplicates available, and I am quite sentimentally attached to boot so I am trying to repair them.
I've got a handle on how to glue and remake the broken ceramic pieces that are missing. What I'm a little torn on is the hanging of it. Here is a photo of them, pre-breaking, at a previous home.
They were suspended on a fairly standard white string as you can see. The string always looked a little cheap/temporary and I'd had passing thoughts about replacing it in the past, but it did complement the natural look and coloration of the chimes plus it seemed like a lot of bother since it was all working as intended. You'll just have to trust me since I don't have a recent picture of them but the string looked even nicer than in the linked photo in its new abode due to my current house being darker in color with white trim and I'd been happy with it of late. But would a different material look even better/elevated and be more weather-resistant?
The diameter is about 1/8" on my only-in-inches measuring tape so I'm guessing it's either that or 3mm depending on the vendor. Wire's out, I think, since it needs to be able to hang and move around freely. I do not want to use leather due to my belief system. Right now I'm weighing paracord, the same type of string, or a metal chain that's weather-resistant - though for that so far I don't even see where to obtain such a small diameter of chain that is not for jewelry (i.e. presumably not great for withstanding the elements, or am I wrong about that?). And would using a chain screw up the resonance of the bells?
I'm thinking either a metal, natural white (not blinding), grey, tan, or dark brown would probably look best aesthetically but the original white string really did look good at this particular house... though I hope to keep the chimes for longer than I will be living here (I'm renting).
I'm soliciting thoughts on any or all of these considerations (material and color, with links to any suggested material options you know of if possible). Thank you!
The wind chimes were obtained abroad from an artisan and are handmade white ceramic bells with a little iron oxide stain rubbed into natural fissures in the clay. There are no exact duplicates available, and I am quite sentimentally attached to boot so I am trying to repair them.
I've got a handle on how to glue and remake the broken ceramic pieces that are missing. What I'm a little torn on is the hanging of it. Here is a photo of them, pre-breaking, at a previous home.
They were suspended on a fairly standard white string as you can see. The string always looked a little cheap/temporary and I'd had passing thoughts about replacing it in the past, but it did complement the natural look and coloration of the chimes plus it seemed like a lot of bother since it was all working as intended. You'll just have to trust me since I don't have a recent picture of them but the string looked even nicer than in the linked photo in its new abode due to my current house being darker in color with white trim and I'd been happy with it of late. But would a different material look even better/elevated and be more weather-resistant?
The diameter is about 1/8" on my only-in-inches measuring tape so I'm guessing it's either that or 3mm depending on the vendor. Wire's out, I think, since it needs to be able to hang and move around freely. I do not want to use leather due to my belief system. Right now I'm weighing paracord, the same type of string, or a metal chain that's weather-resistant - though for that so far I don't even see where to obtain such a small diameter of chain that is not for jewelry (i.e. presumably not great for withstanding the elements, or am I wrong about that?). And would using a chain screw up the resonance of the bells?
I'm thinking either a metal, natural white (not blinding), grey, tan, or dark brown would probably look best aesthetically but the original white string really did look good at this particular house... though I hope to keep the chimes for longer than I will be living here (I'm renting).
I'm soliciting thoughts on any or all of these considerations (material and color, with links to any suggested material options you know of if possible). Thank you!
Fishing line filament is strong but transparent
posted by Morpeth at 1:43 AM on June 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Morpeth at 1:43 AM on June 5, 2020 [1 favorite]
Seconding fishing line as a nice option for this.
posted by walkinginsunshine at 5:26 AM on June 5, 2020
posted by walkinginsunshine at 5:26 AM on June 5, 2020
#6 ball chain is 1/8" diameter. This is the kind of chain that's used for ceiling fan pull chains. It's usually steel, but you can get it chrome or brass plated for some corrosion resistance, or you can get it in stainless. There are standard fittings that let you splice it or hang something off it; you'll need to see how that would interface with your ceramic.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:28 AM on June 5, 2020
posted by Huffy Puffy at 5:28 AM on June 5, 2020
You can probably get stainless steel sail cable in various small diameters at your local hardware store, if you wish to opt for metal. You will not be able to tie knots in this that are aesthetically pleasing; go for crimp connectors.
posted by sourcequench at 2:35 PM on June 5, 2020
posted by sourcequench at 2:35 PM on June 5, 2020
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posted by fshgrl at 11:09 PM on June 4, 2020