Toychimes and Claychimes DIY videos for #WGPIntheair

Guide to making your Toychime at home

This video below shows how to make a Toychime with things you may have at home. Decide if you’d like to hang your Toychime in or outdoors. There are no ruies. Go on the hunt for your old toys. See if they make a wonderful sound if they clash, then use a little crafting magic to decorate, to string together and securely tie your objects to make a chime. If your Toychime is going to chime outdoors weatherproof your objects with varnish and use suitable string.

Enjoy making your Toychime, we would love to see what you made. There are two ways:

  • Bring them to the Toy Library
    We are having a mass chiming in the Walthamstow Toy Library garden over the Walthamstow Garden Party weekend 18th and 19th July.
    Please bring your Toychimes from 13th to 17th July 1- 3 pm.
    They will photographed for the Barbican’s #WGP gallery, you’ll be able to get your Toychimes back thereafter.


Guide to making your Claychime

Some of you were lucky enough to get a Claychime pack whereby you’ll add toys to your clay creations. The video below gives suggestions of how to use your clay.

Your pack contains air drying clay. If your clay is not pliable you may be able to revive it by soaking it in water, then kneading it. Clay can be messy so be prepared, covering surfaces and clothing.

If you’re creating with very young children let them be exploratory with mark making on the clay. Make sure anything you make is at least the thickness of your thumb. You can absolutely make anything into a bead, just put a hole into it. Make sure the hole is wide enough for your string, I used a kebab stick in this video.Dry clay can be painted, acrylics are the best. It will take up to 48 hours or maybe quicker to dry on a hot day. If your Claychime is going to hang outdoors varnish all of your clay items and toys. PVA , white of the egg, varnishes all work well.

Enjoy making your claychime. We would love to see it. Please either bring them to the Toy Library or post into the Barbican gallery. Details are above in the DIY Toychime guide.

Enjoy a coming together July 19th in the afternoon online and on radio. Keep up to date #wgpintheair