# Making a Wind Vane
Things You'll Need
- Terra cotta clay pot, 8 to 10 inches tall
- Wood dowel, 3 feet long, 1/2 inch diameter
- Paint stirring stick
- Craft foam
- PVC pipe scrap, 3 inches long, 3/4 inch diameter
- Hot glue gun
- Paints
- Craft brushes
- Kitchen knife (optional)
Instructions
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The Base
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1
Turn the clay pot upside down. Make sure the dowel rod will fit through the hole in the bottom of the pot. If needed, push the blade of a kitchen knife into the hole and turn it until the hole is enlarged to fit the rod.
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2
Push the dowel into the hole until it touches the surface under the pot. Use a hot glue gun to glue the dowel securely into the hole.
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3
Paint the sides of the pot as desired. On the top end (remember you are working with the pot upside down, so the bottom is the now the top), paint letters to indicate direction. N should be opposite S. E should be halfway between N and S on the right side (seen from above). W should be opposite E.
The Vane
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4
Glue the paint stirring stick over one end of the small length of PVC pipe. Lay the midpoint of the stick flat across the PVC pipe end.
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5
Cut a triangle shape, about 3 inches along its base, from craft foam. Cut a 4-inch square from craft foam. Cut a slit in the center of the base of the triangle, and extend this cut halfway to the point. Cut a slit in the center of one edge of the square, and again cut halfway to the other side.
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6
Push the triangle piece onto one end of the paint stirrer stick. Push the square onto the other end of the stick. Use a glue gun to secure both foam pieces onto the paint stick. The finished piece will look like an arrow.
Assemble
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7
Place the PVC pipe that holds the paint stick arrow over the dowel. The PVC piece should turn freely, allowing the arrow to rotate.
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8
Paint the wind vane as desired and allow to dry.
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9
Set the wind vane in a location above ground level to catch the wind. Watch to see which direction the vane stops when the wind turns it.
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