My Santa Door Chime is carved from high density carving foam. Unlike Styrofoam which is made from compressed beads, high density foam is a solid, easy to carve media that is light weight, water-proof, and takes detailing very well. Free carving patterns below.
Supplies:
1 – 3″ x 3″ x 6″ block of carving foam
1 – 1/4″ x 4″ x 4″ piece of foam board or scrap cardboard
1 – swivel hanger (comes with the chime tubes below)
1 – set of wind chime tubes, available in packs of 6 each of 5 sizes.
nylon fishing line or beading thread
a pack of #8 or larger red seed beads
your basic carving tool set
a sharp pencil for fine detailing
acrylic craft paints
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After my Santa carving was complete, I hollowed out the inside of the carving, allowing a 3/8″ edge along the bottom of his robe. Next I measured and cut a small circle of foam board that could be inserted into the hollowed out area.
Mark the foam board circle, 1/4″ from its edge, with a pencil for the placement of the number of chimes you will be using. Use a large needle or small awl to make a hole at each mark.
Cut a 36″ long piece of nylon fishing line, thread it on a large eyed needle. Add one seed bead to the thread. Move the bead to about 4″ from the nylon line’s end and tie the line into a knot to secure the seed bead.
Thread the line from the top of the foam board circle through one of your holes. Add one seed bead, and one wind chime tube to the line. Thread the line back through the seed bead you just added. Now thread the line back through the hole that you just worked. That seed bead captures both sides of the line just above the chime tube.
Simple repeat these steps for each hole that you have made in your foam board circle. Move the needle from one hole to the next, making the line continuous along the foam board.
Adjust the length of your fishing line for each tube until the tubes are adjusted in height. Tie off the end of the fishing line to the beginning end of the line at your starting seed bead.
Insert the foam board into the hollow and glue into place. Add your swivel hook and he is ready to hang!
Have fun!!!!
