Weathervanes have been valued throughout history. They rest admirably atop churches, barns, homes, schools, libraries, court houses, and government buildings. We are all familiar with the ever popular rooster perched handsomely on barn cupolas or the gallant horse adorning the tops of stables across America. The Federal Eagle has been popular since the 1800’s. Artisans have crafted beautiful weathervanes using themes that capture the spirit from antiquity up until today. In our modern day and age the weathervane is being recognized as décor and functional art. It doesn’t matter if the weathervane sculpture is contemporary, traditional, country, or classic, there is a place for the piece in the world of design. It is still popular to mount weathervanes on cupolas and rooftops but the possibilities for display have introduced weathervane sculpture to a whole new realm of aesthetics. Weathervanes can be displayed indoors in a number of different ways. Floor stands are available in basic cast iron or ornamental brass. These display bases are often used to feature a weathervane in living rooms, dens, offices or libraries. The presentation is simply stunning. Indoor wall mounts are an attractive way to showcase the work on a central wall or beam. Tabletop weathervanes are great for desks and tables. They make great gifts too! If you are interested in interior decorating, consider the time honored weathervane in your design. The options for outdoor display are wonderful. It is possible to mount your weathervane on the deck or on a garden pole. Eave mounts offer the possibility of placing your weathervane on the side of a building. The results are stunning and will capture the attention of your friends and neighbors. In addition to a generous variety of mounting options, the weathervane is now available in several finishes. The traditional polished copper is still a favorite but it is not the only choice. Some of the most popular finishes include antique, blue verde, chestnut, and bronze. There is a patina for just about everybody. The available styles are impressive and cover just about every subject. The palette includes locomotives, golfers, dogs, wine, flying pigs, unicorns, fairies, angels, flags, ships, airplanes, birds and even a wine weathervane. Clubs and restaurants are ideal for weathervane art. It is common to see the golfer, the blue heron, the whale, or the eagle displayed in a public setting. Most of the designs are available in sizes that accommodate smaller buildings such as garden houses, gazebos, and decks. Whether you are an interior decorator, a landscape architect, or a do it your self designer, there is a weathervane that is perfect for your décor.
Visit www.willofthewind.com for a complete line of Good Directions Weathervanes
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Weathervanes as Décor and Art
Friday, August 22, 2008
Wine Weathervane at Will of the Wind
Be the talk of the Town! The new Good Directions Wine Weathervane will add decorative, functional art to your home or garden and show the world that you love life and are full of graciousness and hospitality.
The Wine Weathervane is available in Polished Copper only.
Dimensions:
Figure: 15"L x 15"H x 4"W
Directionals: 18"L x 10"H x 18"W
Good Directions Weathervanes buy at Will of the Wind
Friday, August 15, 2008
Say it With Grace Note Wind Chimes
Ever wanted to send a special gift that would last for years? Have you wanted to send a gift that would be cheerful, meaningful and add to the harmony of life? Have you wanted to send the perfect gift that would express your love or your gratitude to friends and family? How about saying it with Grace Note tuned Wind Chimes?
I remember when I was a child my family hung wind chimes that clanged and clanked to utter distraction. The chimes were beautiful to look at but when they began to move with the wind the noise was dreadful. Thank goodness I had a listening experience that changed my mind and redeemed my opinion of wind chimes. I was fortunate to be introduced to hand tuned wind chimes. Wow, I discovered that they are truly remarkable musical instruments that sing a melody in the wind.
What makes these chimes exceptional? The talent of the people who make them makes all the difference. Quality chimes will harmonize with each other whether they are hung alone or in groups. They are designed with precision and have clarity of tone and resonance. Hand tuned chimes may cost more than some of the more generic brands but you get what you pay for.
If you do want that special gift that sends a meaningful message to your friends and family, I recommend engraved hand tuned wind chimes. It’s possible to choose from a number of images and add an inscription that suits the occasion. Engraved wind chimes have become popular gifts for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, retirements, graduations, housewarmings, and commemorations of all kinds. Have the name of the friend or loved one inscribed on the striker plate with a personal message and your gift will be appreciated for years to come.
So next time you’re considering buying a gift for yourself or a friend, how about saying it with Grace Note chimes? I currently own several sets of wind chimes and enjoy them every single day. I’ve also given tuned chimes as gifts to my family and friends. Everybody just loves to hear the music wafting in the wind.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Healing Effects of Sound - We are What We Hear
"Every illness is a musical problem; every cure is a musical solution" Novalis 16th century
For Centuries man has been fascinated with the frequencies of sound and healing. Numerous scientific studies indicate that sound has a dramatic effect on our bodies, our minds, and our environment. The I Ching, Chinese Book of Wisdom states that "music has the power to ease tension within the heart and to lessen and loosen obscure emotions". In a popular book by Don Campbell it is noted that The Mozart Effect ®, which means the transformational powers of music, temporarily elevated student's IQ by 8-9 points. Now that's impressive by any standards.
One of the most interesting studies was done by Robert C. Beck. (1) In a quote from Wiki Answers we read, "Robert Beck performed his own research on electro-stimulation of the healing process and found that the human body has numerous very specific frequencies at which production of different endorphins, beta-endorphins, catecholamines, enkephalins, dynorphins, proteins, and stem cells were triggered." (2) Kate Pengelly writes in an article which appeared in Positive News, "Scientists Discover Healing Frequency in Animal Sounds" "Put a cat and a bunch of broken bones in the same room" some veterinary schools joke, "and the bones will heal." Only two years ago scientists discovered that vibrations between 20-140 Hz (at low db) are anabolic for bone growth and will also help to heal fractures, mend torn muscles and ligaments, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. Scientists from Fauna research institute have found that a cat's purr not only matches this vibration, but its dominant frequencies are 25 and 50 Hz - the optimum frequencies for bone growth and fracture healing. All cats, including larger ones such as pumas, ocelots and lions, have further sets of strong harmonics at the exact hertz (number of cycles per second) that generate muscle strength, increase joint mobility and provide therapeutic pain relief.
Author Gillian McKieth suggests in his best selling book, You Are What You Eat, then perhaps You Are What You Hear. Sound frequencies are also have a profound effect on our state of being. Today our world is full of sounds that we don't always have the ability to control. Our senses are bombarded with the sounds of traffic, televisions, phone calls, and a whole host of unseen frequencies that we would rather not know about. Not to despair. We are able to enhance our sense of harmony and well being with a few simple changes in our environment, such as playing background music that soothes the mind and relaxes the body.
You may prefer to listen to the sound of a babbling brook, the ocean waves or the beautiful songs of birds. We have found that hanging tuned wind chimes from the trees, the deck and the eaves of our home send gentle musical tones on the sail of the wind have a calming effect on ourselves and the environment. Tuned wind chimes are musical instruments in their own right and they don't require special recording equipment. The dance of the wind plays the chimes in the harmony of nature. Wind Chimes also have the benefit of creating harmonizing overtones as the tubes resonate with each other. The resonance can be achieved with one set of chimes or by placing a group of chimes near each other. It's a great way to set the tones in your life.
Go ahead and experiment with various options and find what harmonized with you specifically. Have fun, relax and the sounds that you are hearing.
Will of the Wind's Melodious Grace Note Wind Chimes — for the Wind's Every Mood
Designed for ultimate clarity of tone and resonance, these Grace Note, tuned wind chimes, feature a unique pinned suspension device combined with superior materials and craftsmanship. Grace Note chimes incorporates the use of a pin inside the tubes at the resonate node. The resonate node is the spot on the tube that doesn’t vibrate. The pin eliminates the interference of the string against the tubes. This innovative design provides a longer and clearer resonance. Buy on Line
The History of Weathervanes
Weathervane HistoryViking weathervanes have also been discovered dating back to the 9th century. Most were designed according to Norse tales and were used on Viking Ships. Even today the weathervanes can be seen in Norway and Sweden.
Today we have sophisticated tools to predict the weather but for thousands of years man depended on the weathervane as an essential tool. Farmers used weathervanes to predict the climate and sailors used them as a vital tool for navigation. Even the wealthy landowners adorned the highest peak of their homes with weathervanes.
In the 9th century A.D. the pope mandated that every church in "Christendom" be adorned by a rooster to remind the flock of Peter's betrayal of Christ. Originally they were not designed to be weathervanes but eventually were combined with weathervanes in order to serve the community. Some think this is why the rooster has become such a traditional standard.
In Medieval European lords and noblemen flew banners and flags from castle towers. The flags were eventually replaced with small metal spinner and helped archers to predict the direction of the wind.
The word weathervane is derived from the Old English noun fane which means flag or banner. They were also referred to as wind vanes. Eventually the name evolved into weathervane. In order to function, weathervanes must be balanced on their axis. They also need an unequal area on each side for the wind to blow against. The ideal location for a working weathervane is the highest point of the building. Any surface area that protects a side of the weathervane will reduce the force and affect the indicators.
Deacon Shem Downe was the first recorded weathervane maker in America. He created the grasshopper weathervane on top of Boston's Fanecuil Hall in 1742. He also created the banner for Boston's Old North Church in 1740. Thomas Jefferson read the wind direction from inside his home at Monticello by placing a rooster weathervane on the roof and attaching it to a pointer which hung down into the ceiling of the room directly below. Now that's just genius ! George Washington commissioned the "Dove of Peace" to commemorate the end of the revolutionary war. It was created by Joseph Rakestraw in 1787.
By the early 1800's patriotic designs were becoming popular in America. It was common to see The Goddess of Liberty and The Federal Eagle. From that time forward weathervanes have been an integral part of American history. They can be found on churches, homes, barns, government buildings and businesses. Americans have a place in their hearts for the race horse, farm animals, patriotic symbols and wild life. Artisans have crafted beautiful weathervanes using themes that capture the spirit of America from the time of the Revolutionary War until today.
In our modern world we can choose from the traditional styles to more contemporary designs. Most weathervanes are made from copper and are available in a variety of patinas. The most common finishes are polished copper and verdigris. Today's weathervanes range from small desk top sculptures to the very large that are appropriate for businesses, churches and barns. The weathervane is just as much a part of lives in these days of high-tech as it has been throughout history.
Visit Will of the Wind and browse our line of Good Directions Weathervanes
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Decorate your Garden with Wind Chimes
Decorate your Garden with Wind ChimesWe suggest that you choose Grace Note hand tuned wind chimes because they are actual musical instruments. Musical wind chimes come in several distinctive tunings that make it easy for you to determine the sounds that harmonize with you personally. The chimes will even harmonize with each other when hung in pairs or sets. Another great thing about wind chimes is that they come in a variety of sizes. Wind Carillons can be up to seven feet long while the smaller chimes begin at about two feet long. If they are tuned, the quality of sound will be wonderful with any size.
Once you’ve decided on the tuning and size of the chimes, you’ll want to consider location. Do you love the sounds of chimes wafting through the bedroom windows or would you rather hear them from a distance? Do you have a gazebo, trees, a vegetable garden, a rose garden, or a deck? There’s no specific rule for hanging chimes and it is always possible to move them if you choose to experiment with the location. I have chimes near the front door, on the deck and situated throughout the yard. Everywhere I walk, the gentle sounds of music serenade the environment. My neighbors were so happy with the sounds that they decided to buy chimes for their yards too.
Consider engraving your chimes for that personal touch. Do you have a loved one, an occasion, a pet or a plant that you would like to remember? Have your chimes engraved with a special inscription and / or image.
Harmony, balance and symmetry are all integral elements in the design of your garden. The resonant sound of tuned chimes adds to the balance of a beautiful landscape. Tuned chimes blend in with the sounds of nature rather that having a “clanging” effect. The tones echo softly through the air and actually have a calming effect.
After the last tree is planted and the last stepping stone is laid, be sure to add the final decorating touch of wind chimes.
Visit Will of the Wind to Buy Wind Chimes
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Will of the Wind Chimes
Today's Featured Products - Grace Note Wind Chimes
"Let the Good Chimes Toll" - That's the Grace Note Wind Chimes motto and our wish from Will of the Wind for our great customers as you enjoy Summer Vacations and Holidays with family and friends. Resonant, melodious wind chimes for your garden, deck, porch or patio are available in sizes to fit your cottage and your palace. BUY HERE
What makes Grace Notes Wind Chimes exceptional? The quality and talent of the people who make them. Read more about Grace Note Wind Chimes' special suspension design, precision tuning, and care. INFORMATION
- Grace Note Wind Chimes are hand tuned musical instruments.
- Grace Note Wind Chimes are always on Sale at Will of the Wind.
- Grace Note Wind Chimes are made in the USA.
- Grace Note Wind Chimes have a ten year Warranty.
- Grace Note Wind Chimes - Free Shipping on all Wind Chimes.
- Same day shipping is standard for orders received by 12:00 p.m PST.
The seven distinctive tunings are all relative to the key of C-Major and the chimes will harmonize beautifully with each other when hung in pairs or sets. Each tuning has a name reflective of a setting or mood that might come to mind as the wind plays according to its own desires. The names are: Earthsong, Treasure of Heaven, Summer Daydream, Island Melody, Stardust, Sunrise Serenade, and Himalayan Echo. We think you will agree that Will of the Wind carries the most consistently beautiful sounding wind chimes you will ever find. CLICK HERE to listen and compare the seven melodic tunings of Grace Note Wind Chimes.