It’s time again for the International Bloggers Club (IBC) monthly challenge, and this month’s theme was “Wired”. For my project, I decided to create a DIY Wire Wind Spinner using almost entirely recycled materials. This simple, budget-friendly garden décor idea takes just a few hours to make, and the results are stunning.

The finished spinner catches the light beautifully as it turns in the breeze, adding movement and charm to any outdoor space. Like most of my projects, I relied on upcycled finds — including parts from an old handbag, stripped electrical wire, and a second-hand necklace. If you’ve been looking for a creative way to use leftover wire and scrap materials, this project will inspire you to see the potential in what others might throw away.

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DIY Wire Wind Spinner from Recycled Materials – Easy Garden Décor Project

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Materials Needed

• Recycled decorative disc (mine came from an old handbag)
• Stripped copper wire (harvested from an electrical cable)
• Small wire hoop (I used a $3 Kmart wreath frame)
• Aluminium jewellery wire (2.5mm)
• Hook from an old handbag strap
• Wire coil basket (from a second-hand necklace)or make one
• 40mm glass ball
• Copper spray paint
• Long nose pliers

Harvesting Free Wire

If you’re lucky enough to have an electrician in your household, you’ll probably have spare wire lying around.

I removed the plastic coating from some old electrical cable, then wound the bare copper wire around a scrap piece of wood to prevent tangling. I only needed a small amount for this project, but the rest will come in handy for future creations.

Making the Top Section

The top hoop came from a set of two wire wreath frames from Kmart’s craft section.

I used the smaller one and attached my decorative disc to it with copper wire, weaving the wire securely around the frame. The disc was originally an embellishment from a handbag, proving that recycled fashion items can make excellent craft components.

Creating the Coil

The spiral coil was made from lightweight 2.5mm aluminium jewellery wire, which bends easily and is ideal for this type of project.

I wound the wire tightly around a small table leg, pushing the coils together for a uniform shape. Both ends were finished with a small loop made using long-nose pliers.

I connected the top hoop to the coil using a hook salvaged from the handbag strap, then attached a small coil basket — an upcycled necklace pendant — to the bottom. If you can’t find a cage to recycle, you can easily make one yourself using thinner wire shaped into a small basket or coil. This extra weight helped the spinner hang and turn smoothly. If your wind spinner doesn’t rotate properly, it’s usually because there isn’t enough weight at the bottom. Adding a heavier element, such as a metal charm or additional coil, will help it spin more freely in the breeze.

Painting the Wind Spinner

With the mix of different metals and finishes, the spinner looked mismatched. A quick coat of copper spray paint unified the design and gave it a warm, rustic finish. (Excuse the chaos in my workshop — a tidy-up is reserved for warmer weather!)

Adding the Glass Ball

A 40mm glass ball was placed inside the coil, where the tension of the wire holds it firmly in place. If you’re worried about it slipping out, simply compress the coils slightly to secure it.

Displaying Your Spinner

Using leftover copper wire, I attached the finished wind spinner to a tree branch in my garden.

The glass ball sparkles in the sunlight, and the copper finish complements the greenery beautifully.

More garden decor ideas

I upcycled an old futon into a plant stand for my garden

Another great idea you can use to decorate your garden is this large wooden suncatcher

More about IBC

If you follow my blog, you will know I am part of the IBC (International Bloggers Club), which is a group of talented bloggers from around the world. We have members from Spain, South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Canada. Each month, we come together and create a project with a common theme.

If you missed last month’s “Hooked on Crochet ” theme, here is the link to my “Dementia sensory mat”  The “Wired ” contributions from my fellow bloggers for this month’s challenge are listed below; please feel free to jump over and give them some love.

1. A Crafty Mix|How to make a large wire flower
2. Me
3. Birdz of a feather | Unique air plant holder

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