Hi everyone…I am back to talk about stained glass windchimes. The day Liz posted about my Christmas swap gift, I had badly sprained my ankle, and have been literally on my keister (not to be confused with my baby donkey Keister) and using crutches just to go to the bathroom. Yesterday I was told NO torn ligamnt, NO surgery, so I am now in a happier frame of mind and feel more like posting. It was a bit of a dark holiday for me this year. Never even read this particular thread since the 14th.

So, I do stained glass, and a year ago bought a glass kiln to expand the fun. The first thing I learned to do was to melt wine bottles to use as cheese boards. Then I bought a bottle slumper mold, and the flat wine bottles are again melted into it, and can be used as a salsa or dip bowl. I don't drink, so my friends saved bottles for me. Plus I am not ashamed to say dh and I went dumpster diving at nearby bars and also at Olive Garden in the city. I was melting every bottle I could get my hands on, to experiment. So I did some cute maple syrup bottles and loved them. Also the maple leaf shaped ones. But they were too small to serve any useful purpose. That naturally grew into the thought to make indoor wind chimes. So I use 2 layers of stained glass to make the chimes, and fire the bottle again with a decal on it. Then decided to make the strikers to match the decal. I've made fruits, veggies, animals and hollies.The cows are the cutest.  I have some beautiful orangey/green glass to make maple leaf stikers out of.  It's fun to do and keeps me out of trouble.

I looked all over the web to find a rooster decal that looked like Mean Rooster, but it was not to be. So I decded to make Liz a Christmas wind chime. The bottle by itself can also be used alone, with a wire hanger in it to be used as a window hanging, too. I make them and sell them at our hospital yearly craft sale. I hang them on a portable clothes rack with tie wraps and have a fan blowing on them so everyone can hear their gentle tinkle. DH makes the wood holder, and he takes a lot of time with them. I thought maybe it'd be easier to use birch branches,which I have access to, but then they may rot in a couple years, so I am open to suggestions.

Thanks for letting me ramble…

Hi Cindy, I would love to post one. I can't really go outside yet to my craft room, cause I can't get  a shoe or boot on.  And because DH has been doing everything and waiting on me hand and foot, I hesitate to ask him to do more. But as soon as I can, I'll get it done. They really are cute, and the hanging holly leaves, or pea pods, or flowers to match the decal really add to the cuteness.

You are so funny! I love Christmas in July! No snow to shovel, decorate the piney trees in the sun and warmth. Let's do it!!

I would be interested in participating this year!!!!

I'm with you… I Christmas craft year round.