Windchimes
Archaeologists suggest that people used wind chimes at least 5,000 years ago, with the Chinese using them to ward off evil spirits by at least 1100 B.C. During the 1800s, the use of wind chimes spread from China to Japan and eventually to the rest of the world. Many people find that they feel at peace and in harmony with the world when they hear wind chimes.
What is a wind chime?
A wind chime is a series of small objects hung from string that hit against each other in the wind. While the Chinese believed the sound scared off evil spirits, now, most people just love to hear them blowing gently in the breeze. They can be made of crafts or bought commercially.
What are different types of wind chimes?
There are thousands of different types of chimes. Some of the most popular include:
- Pipes - Metal pipes, especially copper pipes, of different lengths and diameters are hung close together with some producing twinkling noises while other metals produce deep resonant pitches.
- Bamboo - Pieces of bamboo from 0.5 inches to 2 inches are placed close together allowing these wind chimes to produce a rattling noise when the air blows.
- Seashells - Holes are drilled in seashells from the beach before the shells are placed close together. When a breeze blows, the seashells make a clicking noise.
- Beads - Hanging a glass beads wind chime where the air blows allows the pieces to tap together. Sometimes shells are added.
- Bells - One of the oldest and loudest types of chimes are placing bells close together so they ring loudly when the wind blows the bells.
- Glass - Glass is often cut into decorative shapes and then the glass is hung close together allowing the pieces to hit each other on the chime. Sometimes bells, metal, or shells are added.
How do you hang a wind chime?
Garden windchimes and outdoor patio windchimes make a beautiful addition to outside areas like gardens. Their soft music in the garden may also help keep birds at bay. Put a shepherds hook in the ground and hang a windchime from it so that it can catch the garden wind. Otherwise:
- Choose a spot - Find a spot near a ceiling or a beam where light breezes blow throughout the day.
- Choose the wind chime - Consider the amount of air moving to helps you choose the right windchime, whether you choose gastropod shells, seashells, metal, bamboo, bells, and copper, so that the chime will sound.
- Mark the spot - Use a pencil to mark the spot where you want the windchime.
- Drill a hole - Start a small hole for the outdoor windchime to hang, making sure to leave enough space for it to dangle.
- Attach a plant hook - Insert a plant hook into the hole.
- Place the Windchime - Hang the outdoor chime from the plant hook.
- Listen - Enjoy the sound of the garden wind making the chime sound.
This 4th of July, celebrate Americas birthday with a bang, and shop for patriotic party favors like mini American flags, wind chimes, barbeque supplies, and more deals.