Learn how to make a DIY wind spinner with color to withstand the elements!
My garden is one of my favorite places on the planet, and I love to add customized outdoor decorations to make it my own. Ready to add some color and movement to your yard with a DIY wind spinner? I’ll show you how to apply my seasonal sublimation designs, plus how to apply an infusible Ink design cut with a cutting machine. Did you know that when you hang your beautiful wind spinner outside, not only does it make for a lovely piece of garden decor, but it also serves a purpose?
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A wind spinner can keep birds from gathering where they’re not welcome, while also deterring bugs, squirrels, and other outdoor pests. Hang a wind spinner on your front porch, your garden, or even use one to add some bug-repelling fun to your porch, deck, or kids’ outdoor play space. I love fun DIY projects that also have a function!
First, I’ll show you how to prepare the files to make your own DIY wind spinner with a printed sublimation design from my PNG collection. After that, I’ll show you how to make a super cool “Tree Of Life” wind spinner using your favorite Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet and my tree SVG file.
Along with the tutorial, I’ll also share my best tips for ensuring that your DIY wind spinner turns out beautifully the first time. For example, when handling the spinners, only touch the edges to avoid getting skin oils on the surfaces, and keep the metal as flat as possible. Oils or bumps can mess up the sublimation later!
You can use most styles of heat press, but I’ll use a Cricut EasyPress. My Sublimation Cookbook has the temperatures and times for other options, too. Be sure to wear heat gloves — the aluminum can stay hot a lot longer than you think!
When you’re finished, you’ll have a beautiful customized wind spinner for your yard that is sure to impress all of you neighbors. Plus, I’ll show you how to space out the rings around the central axis so it will spin in the slightest breeze. These spinners look great outdoors on a breezy day, and since they’re sublimated, they’ll hold up to a season or two of sun, especially with some extra protection.
If the spinner will get a lot of sun, it’s a great idea take it outside with some UV Resistant Clear Coat Spray and a cardboard box. Good ventilation is super important when working with the clear coat. Put the spinner in the open box to protect it from debris, and to protect the area from the spray. Next, spray a light coat over the spinner and let it dry for 10 minutes. Once it’s totally dry, flip the spinner over and coat the other side, too. You can protect all of the spinners this way. Once it’s dry, string some fishing line through the small hole at the top, hang your new wind spinner up, and enjoy!
No place outdoors to hang it? You can totally use your DIY wind spinner indoors! I’ve listed a small motor you can hang the wind spinner on. Just attach the motor’s clip to the top hole instead of the swivel clip and set it for 10 rotations per minute.
A colorful wind spinner is a great way to add a personal touch to your outdoor space. These are a great beginner’s project if you’re just getting started with sublimation, and are one of those easy crafts you can do with kids of all ages.
Here’s a supply list of what you need to make a DIY wind spinner! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.
Materials and Tools to Make a DIY Wind Spinner
View my Amazon shopping list with the exact items we used to make this project
For sublimation:
- Sublimation Printer – I used a converted Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Inkjet Printer
- Sublimation Ink
- Sublimation Paper
For infusible ink:
- Cricut Pattern Infusible Ink Sheets – I used rainbow watercolor splash
- A method to cut your ink sheets — I used the amazing Cricut Maker 3, with the Fine-Point Blade but you can use any Maker or Explore
- Cricut Green StandardGrip Mat, 12″ x 12″ -OR- Cricut Blue LightGrip Mat, 12″ x 12″
- Cricut Brayer
- Tweezers
- Weeding Tool
For both methods:
- 8 Inch Sublimation Wind Spinner Blanks 3D Aluminum
- Cricut EasyPress 2 Heat Press Machine (9 in x 9 in)
- Cricut EasyPress Mat 12 in x 12 in
- Heat Resistant Tape
- Heat Resistant Gloves
- Box Fan
- Lint Roller
- Cricut Metal Ruler
- Pencil
- White Butcher Paper
- 12 x 12 white cardstock
- Display Motor with Remote
- UV Resistant Clear Coat Spray – optional
- Design #525 – (My free SVG/PDF/DXF design files are available in my free resource library (get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
How to Make Your Own Sublimated Wind Spinner
The detailed step-by-step assembly video on how to make sublimated wind spinners debuted during Maker Academy Weekend 2023, held online November 1-5, 2023. Get an on-demand pass to watch all 30+ workshops, each with a printable handbook, transcript, audio file, design files, and support with a VIP pass below:
Answers to Your Questions About How to Make Your Own DIY Wind Spinner
Q: Where is your tutorial for this project?
A: These sublimated wind spinners are a special project we made for our free Maker Academy Weekend 2023 event! A complete and detailed step-by-step video premiered during the event November 1-5, 2023 — this tutorial video was available to watch for free for 24 hours only during the event. If you missed it, you can get access to the full video, the 15-page printable handbook that details how to make this beautiful project with a VIP Pass to Maker Academy Weekend 2023, which comes with other perks and bonuses, too! Look at all the star ornaments made by our VIP passholders in the lead up to our big event!
Q: How do you make a garden wind spinner?
A: Follow my tutorial! I’ve got the steps detailed above, or you can watch my video for play-by-play instructions. I outline everything you need to know about sublimating or applying infusible ink to your our own wind spinner. It’s easier than you think and a great project for anyone who loves fun and interesting decorations for their outdoor space!
Q. How do you sublimate wind spinners?
A. If you don’t have a sublimation printer, you can still make DIY wind spinners using infusible ink transfer sheets. I’ll show you how to do a cool tree of life design using the SVG in the download folder, but you can also use a regular uncut sheet of infusible ink. If you really want to customize it, you can use infusible ink — check out tutorial on that. What temp do you sublimate wind spinners? I recommend 360°F (192°C) for 120 seconds for both methods.
Q: How do you shape a wind spinner?
A: The metal’s edges may be sharp, so wear gloves for extra protection, then stabilize the spinner’s bottom point on a sturdy table. Hold the spinner in place with one hand, and use your other hand to gently pull the right outermost ring toward you until it’s perpendicular to the flat section. Then pull the next ring just a little bit less than you pulled the first, and so on until you’ve bent all the rings on that side. Then rotate the spinner and repeat these steps for the other side. Look at the spinner from the top down to make sure the rings are bent evenly, and adjust them as needed. The spacing doesn’t need to be perfect, but having the rings evenly spaced will make the image easier to see.
Q: Do wind spinners keep bugs away?
A: Many folks do report fewer pests around where they hang their wind spinner! When the wind spinner spins, it makes a subtle buzzing sound that deters insects, birds, and even that pesky squirrel that keeps getting into your bird feeder.
Q: Is infusible ink the same as sublimation?
A: Infusible ink is a fun material that comes in different colors and patterns, and works very similarly to sublimation transfer sheets. Infusible ink transfer sheets can be cut with scissors or your Cricut, and then sublimated onto any surface suitable for sublimation — like our wind spinner blanks. Infusible ink pens are another way to sublimate without a sublimation printer! Simply use the pens to draw a design onto sublimation paper, then sublimate it onto your blank.
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I SO hope you’ll make a sublimated DIY wind spinner! Please share a photo of your wind spinners in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
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