The base of the whole chime. Natural driftwood has the right weight and weathered, sun-bleached look — pick a straight piece 8 to 12 inches long, about half to three-quarters of an inch thick. A multi-piece set lets you choose the straightest, most evenly shaped branch and save the rest for future projects.

These flat, coin-shaped shells turn faintly translucent when backlit by a window — the detail that makes the chime look boutique. They come with holes already punched, so there’s no drill required. The 2.5-inch size with two holes each makes threading and positioning effortless.

The elongated, cone-shaped shells that hang at the base of each strand as anchor weights. They add texture, weight, and a natural contrast to the smooth flat discs above them — and they help each strand hang straight and move cleanly in a breeze. Each has a small 1mm hole at the tip already, ready to thread.

The thickness that matters most: not so thin it snaps under shell weight, not so thick it won’t thread through the small holes. 2mm is the sweet spot. This 197-foot spool of natural hemp cord is strong, smooth, and holds knots without slipping — enough twine for this chime and many more.

Pick the straightest, most evenly thick piece from your set — a consistent thickness makes it easy to space strands evenly and hang the chime level. Your branch should be 8 to 12 inches long; shorter and the shells knock together, longer and it looks sparse. Then hang it from a doorknob, curtain rod, or hook at eye level. Tying everything while it hangs gives you a true sense of how each strand drapes. Working flat on a table looks great on the table and messy in the air.

You’ll hang six strands for a full, layered look without overcrowding. Cut two at 18 inches (shortest, outermost), two at 22 inches (medium, second from each end), and two at 26 inches (longest, center). This creates the slight cascade — shorter outside, longer in the middle. Cut one extra 20-inch strand for the hanging loop. Fold each working strand in half and make a small loop knot at the fold; this doubles the strand for strength and gives you a clean loop to attach.

Space six strands evenly across the branch using a lark’s head knot — the same knot used in macrame. Fold the doubled strand so the loop is at the top, push the loop up and over the branch, pull the two loose ends down through the loop, and pull snug. It grips the wood and won’t slide. On a 10-inch branch, place strands at 1″, 2.6″, 4.2″, 5.8″, 7.4″, and 9″ from the left for a perfect 1.6-inch gap between each. Order left to right: 18, 22, 26, 26, 22, 18 inches.

Build each strand from the bottom up. Start with a spiral seashell at the very bottom, about 1 inch up, locked with an overhand knot below it — this is your anchor weight. Move up 2.5 to 3 inches and add a capiz shell threaded through both holes, sitting horizontally and facing forward, with a knot below to hold it. Move up another 2.5 to 3 inches and add a second capiz. Repeat on all six strands. On the two longest center strands, add a fourth shell up top for density. Step back often — twine is forgiving, so slide knots to even the spacing while there’s still slack.

Take your reserved 20-inch strand. Wrap it twice around the left end of the branch to create friction, then secure with a clove hitch or tight double knot so the loop can’t slide toward the center. Repeat on the right end — but before the final knot, pull the strand taut and check the branch hangs level, adjusting tension until it’s straight. The loop should arc about 4 to 5 inches above the center: too short looks stubby, too long lets the branch swing and tangle. Tie a small overhand knot at the top of the arc for a fixed hanging point.

Trim every loose end to no more than a quarter inch; on the lark’s head knots at the top, the tails should be nearly invisible against the branch. Give each strand a firm tug to confirm the shells are secure — check the bottom spiral shells first, since they carry the most weight and movement. Hang it and step back. If a strand looks obviously longer or shorter than its pair, untie the lark’s head knot, adjust, and re-tie. It takes 30 seconds and it’s worth doing. For the beauty shot, hang it near a window with light coming from behind so the capiz shells glow.

For a driftwood-cottage look, skip the capiz shells entirely and use only natural spiral shells in varying sizes with undyed twine. For a boho version, add small wooden beads between the shells on each strand — they add weight that helps the chime move in light breezes, a warm color contrast, and that layered texture that photographs beautifully.

Swap the driftwood for a cinnamon stick bundle and use only white capiz shells for a coastal Christmas ornament, or make a mini version with a single 5-inch stick and three short strands as a gift tag or window charm. To keep any version lasting: hang it in a covered spot, bring it in during heavy rain, and if the shells dull over time, wipe them with a barely damp cloth and a drop of baby oil to restore the translucent sheen instantly.