How to Make Outdoor Hanging Metal Ornaments

Big and bold, yet gracefully curved, these hanging metal ornaments add an elegant touch to your outdoor holiday decorating. Learn how to make your own in this Lowe’s video:

For this DIY project, get the tools and materials list and detailed instructions here.

Safety First: Although aluminum cuts and drills easily, it can be sharp, so first put on a pair of leather work gloves.

1. Cut pairs of metal flashing strips to three different lengths plus shorter strips for the top and bottom.

2. On a piece of scrap lumber, stack the cut pieces together and secure with a clamp. Place the short top and bottom pieces two inches from the bottom edge.

3. Find the center and drill holes one inch from the bottom of the short piece, then repeat for the other end. For the two shorter strips, drill additional holes in the center along their length, then form two stacks of three strips each. The metal flashing will retain a curl from being wound into a roll – something you can use to your advantage.

4. Place a washer on a 3/4-inch screw and push the screw tip through the hole in the top strip. Next, add the strips in one of the stacks, working from the longest to the shortest. Thread the end of the chain through the center of the top strip, and drop the end link over the screw. Add the second stack in reverse order to the first and loop the end over the screw. A washer and nut holds all the strips together.

5. For the bottom end, just repeat what you did at the top and loop the end over the screws. This creates the bows on the outside strips as you go.

6. If you plan to hang this ornament outdoors where the wind will spin it around, add swivels to the top and bottom chains.

Hanging the ornament is as simple as looping a rope over a tree and staking the bottom chain to the ground with a rope.

Now you have a one-of-a-kind decoration that will add sparkle to your holidays year after year!