The Sound of Clay
Clay wind chimes produce a tone that is distinctly different from metal or bamboo. The sound is softer, lower, and more complex — a gentle clunk rather than a bright ring. The pitch depends on the size, thickness, and shape of each piece. Thin, flat pieces produce higher tones. Thick, curved pieces produce lower, richer tones. The clay body and firing temperature also affect the sound — stoneware rings differently than porcelain.
Stephen Jepson appreciated the meditative quality of clay chimes in his garden studio. He often made them as experiments — testing how form affects sound — and found that the process teaches potters to think about clay in an entirely new way.
Wind Chime Designs
Hanging Tube Chimes
Roll or throw small cylinders — four to eight inches long, closed at the top with a hole for hanging cord. The length and thickness determine the pitch. A set of five or six tubes in graduated sizes creates a pentatonic scale. Suspend them from a central disc — thrown on the wheel and drilled with evenly spaced holes — with a clay or wooden striker hanging in the center.
Flat Piece Chimes
Cut flat shapes from rolled slabs — circles, leaves, fish, stars, abstract forms. Drill a hole near the top of each piece for the hanging cord. Flat pieces produce a lighter, clickier sound than tubes. They catch more wind because of their broad surfaces. Decorate with stamps, carvings, or colored glazes — each piece is a small sculpture.
Bell Chimes
Throw or pinch small bells — open at the bottom with a clapper hanging inside. The bell shape amplifies and focuses the sound. Make the clapper from a small clay bead on a cord. Bells produce the richest, most resonant sound of any wind chime design. A row of graduated bells hanging from a branch is a stunning garden installation.
Combination Chimes
Mix different shapes — bells, tubes, flat pieces, and beads — on a single hanger. The variety of shapes produces a complex, layered sound. Use a large thrown disc or a driftwood branch as the top hanger. Stagger the lengths so pieces overlap and interact.
Making Wind Chime Components
Throwing Small Forms
Wind chime components are small — most pieces use only a few ounces of clay. Center small balls and throw quickly. Tubes can be thrown as tiny cylinders. Bells can be thrown as small, thick-walled bowls. The small scale teaches precision and light touch. Make more pieces than you think you need — some will break, and having extras lets you select the best-sounding pieces.
Drilling Hanging Holes
Every piece needs a hole for the hanging cord. Drill at leather-hard stage using a small round cutter or needle tool. Make the hole large enough for your chosen cord. Position the hole so the piece hangs at the angle you want.
Tuning
You can roughly tune wind chime pieces by adjusting their size and thickness. Longer, thicker pieces produce lower tones. Shorter, thinner pieces produce higher tones. After bisque firing, tap each piece with a wooden stick and listen. Group pieces that sound good together. Perfect tuning is not the goal — the beauty of clay chimes is their organic, imperfect harmony.
Weatherproofing for Outdoor Use
Stoneware fired to maturity is weather-resistant. Fully glazed pieces resist water absorption and freeze-thaw damage. Use marine-grade cord or monofilament for hanging. Protect the hanging point at the top from rain with a simple roof element. Bring chimes inside during severe weather for longest life.
Learn from Stephen Jepson
Stephen's pottery video lessons cover the throwing, decorating, and finishing techniques used in wind chimes and small decorative pottery. His instruction helps you create pieces that are beautiful to both eyes and ears. One-time purchase, lifetime access to all lessons.