Wind chimes have come a long way since their banging, clanging days of old. Today's precision-tuned wind chimes produce a melody as inviting, sweet, and clear as the song sung by pristine waters cascading down a mountain side on a hot summer's day. That didn't happen by accident. More than an enhancement to home décor and garden yard décor, a quality wind chime is crafted using a scientific approach to achieve the best sound possible.
The lengths and placements of tubular pipes might look as though they were put together haphazardly. In reality, their placement is dependant upon where each pipe will vibrate most when struck by the clapper.
Areas of the pipe called "anti-nodes" resonate with a clearer, truer sound. These special points are found at each end of the pipe, as well as in the center. String placement is also important. Holes for the string are drilled where the pipe vibrates least. This is known as the "node of vibration."
That eye-catching wind chime hung from a tree limb to complete garden yard décor and landscape design is more than just lovely. It is a high precision instrument that joyously plays nature's song. It is conduit to feng shui philosophy, based on the invisible yet tangible presence of universal energy flowing throughout our environment.
Wind chimes sound best when tuned to the pentatonic scale, the same used as the black keys on a piano. This type scale is best for generating pleasing but random notes - like those generated by the wind. Type of material used is also important. Some materials provide a clearer sound than others. For decorative purposes, the pipes on some wind chimes are made to look like copper. Some clappers are made from metal, some from wood, or another material to produce variations of sound, different from one another.
Besides making harmonious sounds generated by the force of air current, the wood and metal used in the production of wind chimes further enhances their connection to the feng shui philosophy and the importance of elements.
A wind chime is among the most perfect gifts for Mother's Day. They also make meaningful anniversary gifts, and great personalized housewarming gifts. That is because they not only enhance home decorating and add interest to garden yard décor. They also are symbolic of harmony and peace...important elements of any relationship.
A quality set of tuned wind chimes can be found in lawn and garden stores, department stores, and some specialty shops. For your best selection and competitive pricing, however, purchase wind chimes on line.
Wind chimes...a unique and lovely way to set the tone for peace and harmony, while adding beauty and charm to your home or yard.
Are you interested on how to make bird feeders that could satisfy all your pet's needs? Then you should take note of these carefully and let your creative mind work with the scraps and recyclable materials around your house. All you really need are some wood scraps together with some plastic sheets, wood glue and dowel rod and voila, you got yourself a bird feeder or even a bird house. You could assemble these things to form a box-type birdhouse for your backyard.
Before you start a bird feeder project, make up a plan or get some tips how to make bird feeder that could show you the proper procedures of how to make bird feeders. Read and understand it thoroughly and start wandering around your house to get the things that you could use such as wood scraps, plastic sheets, dowel rods, wood glue, screws, hinges and paint. When you completely have all these things and made all the preparations, cut the wood scraps and plastic sheets according to your desired bird feeder's size, open the wood glue and mix it with the brush to assure a sticky texture and check if the screws could fit the holes on the hinge.
After doing the preparations on how to make bird feeders, you could start the actual construction process by making some marks where the wood glue will be applied, then, put the wood scraps and plastic sheet in place that they will form a box-type shape and firmly press them together to achieve firm and solid bond. Once, you have done this, you could move on to the construction of the roof, you could do it by following the same process but by this time creating a triangular cap that could completely cover the base. To finally finish this "how to make bird feeder?" project, use the hinge and screws to attach the roof to the base making a perfect house for your bird pets.
Your creativity and unique style should always take part in everything you do like in this project on how to make bird feeders, you could make some innovations by painting the outer area of the bird feeder and drawing some attractive designs that could show your personality. You could also add some accessories like small chimes, lining materials and accessories to greatly improve its look and make it appealing to everyone, including your bird pets.
They can be pretty to look at and soothing to hear, but did you know that that wind chimes also have healing effects? Just listening to the tones of the chimes can help calm your mind and release stress. Calming your mind, the tones of the chimes help to release all that stored up stress. This soothing effect helps open our spiritual awareness and has been used by many cultures for centuries.
As a Feng Shui cure, your wind chimes could help you gain luck and prosper. Metal wind chimes are recommended for the North, West and Northwest, Wood for the East, South and Southeast. For good luck, it is recommended to use chimes with 4, 6, 7, 8 or 18 rods. If it's bad energy to want to keep away, then go for a chime with 5 rods. For outside the house, bamboo chimes are best.
You can hang wind chimes anywhere and on any type of hook - hooks sold for bird feeders work pretty good. Just make sure whatever hook you choose can support the weight of your chime. Make sure you do not hang it too close to any structure as you want it to be free to flow in the wind. Or you can use a fancy hanger to add more interest. When hanging your chime, remember to pick a spot that is protected from strong gusts of wind to avoid damage to your chime.
Some Ways To Enjoy Your Wind Chime:
Hang it near your hammock and take a soothing nap to the melodic tones of your chime.Mr. & Mrs. C, Bristol had moved into their property over 12 months ago but because they did not intend staying and wanted to sell the house again, they had not bothered to unpack boxes these were left lying around. The energy in the home was stagnant and stale with no good chi energy flowing through the home. The hallway was cluttered, the dining room had books and boxes in it and the spare bedroom was piled high with items that were just waiting to be moved to another house. The garden was unkempt with old flowerpots, the grass was overgrown in the "lifes journey area" and covered the pathway this meant that the occupants of the home would feel that they were stuck and could not move on and this is what was happening. The hedgerows had grown over the windowsill at the front of the house so the occupants could not see out. At the front door there was a sign saying "Beware of the Dog" this was of course not very welcoming to prospective purchasers.
The first thing to be done was to clear the hallway and make this a nice entrance and mow the lawn, put some hanging baskets outside and cut the hedge so the windows were clean and clear as these are the "eyes" of a house and if you cannot see out of them, then symbolically you cannot see clearly. The next was to put into storage all the items that were still packed in boxes and make the bedrooms inviting to prospective purchasers, clear the dining room of clutter and boxes and store these away.
This then made the chi energy flow through the home and the ambience of the home became more open and once this was done Mr & Mrs C had a buyer within 3 months." Make sure that the For Sale board is to the right of the house the yang and energetic side of the house as you look at it from outside. Feng Shui and Intention to sell your home and acquire a new home In the North West of your home have a picture of the house you would like to move to and put a date on it say 3 months into the future and do the same with the details of the house you want to sell and write the date that you have sold the house and picture it in your mind as though it has already happened as though it is happening now. Make it happen!! Intention is everything in Feng Shui, make sure you have a clear intention that you want to sell the house. If one person does not want to move or you put out the thoughts that no-one will like your home or it will take a long time to sell then that's exactly what you will get. The universe will support you more readily if you imagine the perfect buyers walking up to the front door and they love the house and want to purchase it at the price you are asking.
A client called Mrs S. of Haywards Heath had their home on the market for over 18 months the house was lovely, she had cleared the clutter and all work surfaces were cleared and the home was bright and airy with neutral colours throughout the home. She had many viewers but the house did not sell. I got the impression that her daughter did not want to move from the house as she did not want to move to a smaller house. I told Mrs S to visualise the type of house she would like and to imagine herself living there with her daughter and put in every detail how many bedrooms, near the shops, no decorating needed to be done, lovely cottage garden and for the sale go through easily and it would be a property she could easily afford. Within 4 weeks of doing this Mrs S had an offer on her property and the person purchasing her property was the person who's property she had walked past a couple of weeks earlier and thought "I must go and have a look at that house" - inevitably they swapped homes and this made for an easy sale.
Believe it or not it can be as easy as this. Clearly focus on what you want in selling your house and where you want to move to and the kind of house you want, once the universe has received this message and a date for it to be done by - the house is SOLD.
Most people know the minute they step through the door that this is the house for them even when they have not seen the whole house because the property has got "kerb" appeal. The way to do this is:
1. Keep everything outside neat and tidy and in good repair
2. Mow the lawn regularly
3. Keep all dustbins tidied away in the garage or a place at the back of the house
4. Repaint faded or flaking paintwork
5. Put plant pots and hanging baskets outside with colourful plants
6. Keep trees and bushes trimmed so the house can be seen
7. Make sure the name of the house and numbers can be clearly seen
8. Clear the clutter outside of old boxes and plant pots
9. Have a door bell that works and chimes
10. Make sure the front door opens and closes without getting stuck symbolic of being "stuck in a rut"
11. Make sure there are no obstacles and a clear pathway to the front door
12. Make sure all windows are clear of overgrown bushes and trees as purchasers will see the house as dark and gloomy
13. Put a light on outside the front porch dusk until bedtime to energise the chi energy
14. Make sure bathroom and toilet doors are closed and toilet seats are down
15. Have a home cooking smell such as freshly baked cakes just brewed coffee
16. Open doors and windows to air the house and have fresh energy into the home
17. Have a galloping horse or a travelling buddha near the front door with the purpose that you will be moving home in the near future
Appeal to the Five Senses:
Sight: Have a clear pathway to the front door a curved path or driveway is best, soften walls and fences with flowers and shrubs. Have the paintwork a neutral colour and not flaking. Add some homely touches with a welcome mat. Clear all the tops in the kitchen and dressing tables making the rooms look larger and more spacious.
Sound: Have a nice chiming front door bell or windchimes. A water feature by the front door will make people feel relaxed as if by the sea. When entering the home have some soft music playing in the background so that its not deadly quiet and do not have the TV blaring out the latest football results!
Smell: Have lavender or roses near your front door as the prospective purchasers linger at the front door it will feel inviting. Put some sweet smelling fragrant flowers near the front door to bring that fresh smell of outdoors into your home. The smell of home cooking is very appealing and baking a cake just before the prospective purchasers arrive make it feel like home.
Taste: After the smell of baking leave some cakes out on the side for the purchasers to taste and help themselves making them feel welcome or leave some chocolates in a bowl always welcoming to young children.
Touch: The front door could have a stained glass window, there could be a Japanese garden with different textures with stones, wood, sand and plants.
The role of both real and mythological animals is referred to frequently in feng shui theory and folklore. In many books, there is a description of an ideal house, which has a turtle behind it, a phoenix bird in front of it, and a dragon and tiger on either side. These four animals are symbolic of land and building formations. For example, to have a turtle behind the house for support or protection is a metaphor for a larger structure or a literal mountain. To have a bird in the front is symbolic for a much smaller land formation.
There is a concept that "chi" (air currents) move around a property and the higher land form in back (the turtle) protects the house, while a smaller land form in front (bird) helps the house receive the proper amount of chi. Like the edge of a bowl, the phoenix in front helps shore up or contain energy near the entrance of the house.
Then, the tiger and dragon on each side of the house represent neighboring houses, buildings, or real hills. These forms act as a way of protecting the house. In a general sense, a house that is not surrounded by other structures or land formations is a bit vulnerable and overly exposed to the elements. Some people take these references to the animals literally and they will place figurines of these creatures around their home for good luck and protection. At least one feng shui master I have studied with has alluded to the possibility that these animals also represent the shapes of certain important constellations.
Another popular feng shui creature is the fish. Fish symbolize long life in Chinese culture, so paintings and sculptures of them are seen as lucky. In the actual application of feng shui, fish in tanks and ponds are just an excuse to help circulate water. It is the water, which is the real remedy. But because feng shui comes from a very superstitious culture, the number of fish and the color of the fish in the aquarium have taken on exaggerated significance. As well, different types of birds are supposed to be omens for the occupants if the bird is seen flying by or creating a nest on the roof.
The image of a horse can't help but to symbolize travel and movement. One folk remedy is to place a Horse figurine facing the door for occupants who want to sell their home.
Lions and tigers are considered powerful, ferocious animals. Representations of them in pictures or sculptures should be done with caution, according to people who adhere to these animal cures. You may have seen stone lions flanking the entrance or stairs of a large building, but they would be considered inappropriate for a residence.
One of the Zodiac signs in Chinese astrology is a Tiger. Women who are the sign of the Tiger are considered fiercely independent and have a more difficult time settling down with a man. February is the month of the Tiger and according to auto insurance statistics, more car accidents occur in the month of February. This would be consistent with the Chinese interpretation that the fast-moving Tiger is also accident-prone.
It is interesting to note some of the cultural differences in how we relate to animals. For instance, in Chinese astrology a person born in the Year of the Rat can be a very intelligent person and a Snake person can easily be interested in metaphysics and spirituality. In the West, we think of the rat and snake as being sneaky and conniving. In some religions there is a belief that all human beings have lived at least one incarnation as every type of animal, and therefore we have an unconscious understanding of what these animals are capable of in their personalities and strengths.
Some birds are more monogamous than people, so there is a notion that putting up pictures of lovebirds in the bedroom will attract true love. These kinds of things can work as placebos, but are not considered the most sophisticated feng shui remedies.
Elephants have a reputation in both Chinese and Indian culture for attracting wealth. Images of trunk-up elephants often adorn the homes of people hoping the elephant will be a lucky image for them.
There are many more animals that have meaning in Chinese culture and/or specific to feng shui. Supposedly, a metal Rooster placed in the proper location can stop someone from committing an adulterous affair. Taken out of context, these animal symbols can seem strange, but they are really not much stranger than the meanings we attach to some inanimate objects in the Western world. Be it a country's flag, a car hood ornament, a designer label, or a religious sign, we place importance on many symbols that go unnoticed or unrecognized by other cultures.
Many people are surprised to find out that I do not prescribe any of these animal symbols as feng shui remedies. While I understand the psychological relief that they may provide, I do not feel that these symbols can change the energetic composition of a room. And with symbols ultimately being very personal, (like our dreams), I don't see how they would work for everyone in the same manner.
Wedding Bell Favors will remind most people of a wedding no matter what setting it chimes in. Weddings stimulate our ears just as much as our taste buds, eyes and noses. Think of the wedding march, forks hitting plates, and the crisp ding of wine glasses tapping together. Most weddings do not have actual bells chiming from the roof, but that doesn't mean you can't add them into your wedding on a smaller scale.
Imagine your reception tables all draped in cloths corresponding to your wedding colors, the centerpieces scenting the room with a dainty fragrance, and the little place holders waiting for guests to arrive. Now hold that picture in your head and add in shiny chrome bells with unique designs for the top handles. They spark and gleam while your guests walk the room looking for their names, and then their faces light up as they take a seat and pick up their bells.
Wedding bell favors are an unexpected keepsake and they send out a tinkering of rings that will seal in your union happily.
If you plan on being the princess in your own personal fairy tale then silver castle bell favors are simply must haves. Poly resin castles of silver sit atop the shiny bells like they are perched on a hill; grand enough for royalty yet without the steep price tag when you purchase at a discount. They come in individual gift boxes with organza ribbons that will look amazing on any table set up. As your guests unwrap their treasures you will hear the singing of bells fitting for any princess on her big day.
The love within my heart bell wedding favor speaks for itself. What speaks from the soul at a marital union more than a silver heart filled with love? These chrome wedding bells come in at a comfortable 3.5 inch size to fit nicely in the hands of your thankful guests. Wrapped in an elegant box with organza bow, these bells will delight your guests of all ages and add a new element to the wedding: sonorous chimes!
If you are looking for bells to take a less central role in your table arrangement, then try the bell favor place card holders. These are even more special to your guests because they come in unique designs and can be used as place card holders, welcoming them to your reception...and to your life as a married couple.
You know everything changes after you walk down the aisle and the people who celebrate the occasion are the ones you will lean on, cry with, and cherish as a married couple. There is not a better way to thank them for their loyalty and love than special bells to ring happiness into their lives.
Whether you go with chrome wedding bell favors topped by a calla lily or rose or the beautiful silver plated kissing bells, your guests will not be expecting such a thoughtful, useful favor when they join you at the reception to ring in the rest of your life.
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