How to make my Tipsy (no drill)
Rain Chain
© Stephie McCarthy
I made this beautiful rain chain years ago and it
still works and looks great …
all these many years later …
It now feeds water into a rain barrel.
In the circle below was another
rain collector I used for a summer, a frosted glass bowl.
The chain takes 2-3 hours to assemble. Here's how:
TO EMBELLISH THE CHAINS, be creative with shapes and sizes of the funnels and cookie cutters … We used:
• A medium–sized (8 oz.) metal funnel for the top
• 6 small metal beverage funnels (we purchased these online)
• 5 or 6 vintage cookie cutters, with self handles (holes on either side of raised handle)
• A piece of metal coat hanger, approximately 14 inches long (cut with wire cutter)
• About 10 large (.25" or more) jump rings or small chains to connect main chains (from jewelry supply)
• One large S–hook
• Needle–nose pliers
• Rain collector or splash guard, we used a birdbath with a glass bowl
Start with two long chains that will reach from the opening in a rain gutter to your rain collector. Chains should be about the weight of a standard dog collar, thin enough to slip through the holes in small funnels and cookie cutters, about .25" inch. A hardware store can cut chains to any length, or you could by a 14.5' chain online … look for "dog lead" chains.
To make rain chain, lay two chains side by side on the floor. Starting at the top, thread one chain through largest funnel, attach chain to S–hook, crimp closed (see diagram). Attach second chain to first, just under the funnel, using a jump ring.
Closeup of Step 1:
Closeup of Step 2:
Lay out mini funnels and cookie cutters on
floor to determine spacing of pieces.
To attach a small funnel, thread one chain
through funnel. Hold in place by linking both
chains with jump rings just below
(see diagrams).
Closeup of Step 3:
To attach cookie cutter, thread a chain through
each of the holes on either side of the handle.
Hold in place with jump rings just beneath it.
Distribute funnels and cookie cutters evenly.
Each piece will tip to the side a bit, thus the name
"the tipsy rain chain".
Hang chain in place of a downspout
and place a rain collector beneath.
In winter ice will crystalize on the chain. Year round, the
sound of water running through the chain is like
nature's music box.
Have a joyful garden season!
– Shop with Sweet Home Stephie McCarthy –
