Igloochic, you have such a way with words.

Yes, throw them out. It is also not very neighborly. If you're close enough, no doubt they are irritating them as well (which is a darned good excuse for not having them up.) No one is required to hang, display, wear, or eat something just because it was a gift, and friends will understand if it something doesn't work out.

Should you ever encounter this problem and chose not to pitch them, LOL, you can restring them with fishing line and they should't get tangled then.

Wind chimes are something you have to acquire a taste for or I should say an ear for. Much like sushi.

A friend gave me my first set of chimes and I found them very annoying at first, then found myself listening for them. When they fell apart after some time, I actually missed them. That reminds me, I need to pick some up. Want my address? Just kidding.

There are real wind chimes and then there are noise makers, i.e., what your friend sent. You have to be able to determine which ones are for soothing and which one are for pitching.

LOL I had to laugh when I saw the Nays about Wind chimes! I can't stand them either! Neither can my dog. I'm serious though, I find the sound to be as annoying as nails on a chalk board. If people love them so much I think they should keep them in their house, put on a fan, enjoy them without driving your neighbor crazy! LOL

Are the shells pretty?

Cut them off and put them in a nice bowl where you can look at them. Shells are meant to be seen, not heard.

Are they capiz shells?

If you don't like their sound, could you fix them and, perhaps, find a place for them indoors? Maybe your bath?

I love wind chimes. I live in a very windy location. When high winds are in the forecast, I take my chimes inside. I have some very delicate glass wind chimes which I hang on the inside of my house in front of a window. They get softer breezes and I enjoy hearing them.

Thanks all. Last night when I woke up to go to the bathroom, an idea came to me. I will use some of the shells to make a necklace and earrings. Granted they are not small shells but I think it might look great for summer. Well, here in Phoenix summer is almost year round. LOL. The rest of the shells I can use in my main bath that has a sea shell them. Thanks again.

I say "NO" to the noise. I love the sound of the breeze rustling the leaves, birds singing.....nothing more. :0)

The wind chime sound I like are ones that sound like soft bells. I think that some of the smaller metal ones may sound like that. But I really don't need one.

Great, repurpose them, but be careful not to send a photo of yourself to the friend who gave them to you, with her windchims hanging around your neck and from your ears. LOL That would be funny for her to look at the photo and say "boy those shells sure do look familiar."

Yup. Pitch 'em.
Wind chimes are like raucous children. People rarely realize that their own are driving everybody else right up the wall.

LOL! Yes, I won't be sending any pictures of me with wind chime sea shell jewelry to anyone any time soon.
Even if I had restrung this thing, it would just get all tangled again. My friend just thought I would LOVE this wind chime thing since she has the same one. The noise was anything but soothing. Oh well. She tried.

The only wind chimes we would have are those from Woodstock Chimes. Once you hear any of their beautifully crafted chimes, you will understand. We love the sound of our natural surroundings, but their chimes can actually enhance Mother Nature. They're so subdued it's almost like they become part of the natural background noise. And they just happen to be one of our local industries ;o)

As for yours....chuck those puppies because I can understand how irritating their noise must be.

Here is a link that might be useful: Woodstock Chimes

Thanks mrsmarv!!

What's nice about that site is that you can listen to recordings of the chimes. But the prices are up there. The one I am listening to is priced at $76. Yowser. Maybe once I get a good paying job I can swing that. But thanks for the site. I will bookmark this one!

I don't understand all the advice to throw them in the trash. At least put them on Freecycle or Craigs, or just give them to someone you know.

Capiz shells can be used for crafts, making a chandy, jewelry or bowls. Or maybe someone else who loves windchimes can enjoy them. Capiz chimes are usually used indoors.

Have you listened to the Music of the Spheres chimes? Quite pricey but lovely sound. A few of the very large ones are over-kill but the sustainability and depth of sound is exceptional. I have to say I love the sound of this type of wind chime (not the clackity-clack ones though)

Here is a link that might be useful: Music of the Spheres - Bass

GraceNotes.com are wonderful windchimes, recycled materials, memorial urn engraved strikers, and they refresh-refurbish Grace Note Chimes to last forever. I've had mine for many years and they are perfect tones, musical notes, note noise.
As for shells, Never throw them away, there are MANY of us out here that will be thrilled to have them! Try not to throw anything away, first recycle or donate.

Mary lu, your link is excellent too, and I love they give you each note! Those are beautiful!

LaOla chimes sound smooth and actually relax you. Check them out.