Suncatcher, Beach Glass inspired, Hanging

Click on the image to see it larger

Suncatcher, Beach Glass Inspired Window Hanging

Visit my website for more information, or to buy.

It's been busy. Putting together a fairly large wholesale order always takes more time and work than I anticipate. The thing is, while I put together something like that, I also build some stock for my website.

For example, the wholesale order included two hanging suncatchers. While I was building those, I built another three for my website, too. In the end, that's a more efficient way of doing things. They all came out really well, as you can see from the one pictured above. You can view the three extras on my website right now.

I feel lucky today. My son came home from University the other day, and asked if he could take my car to drive to Kamloops, BC, to visit a friend of his. How funny. I had just been getting into some serious head scratching over how to ship my huge driftwood birdbath to the customer. Well, she lives in Kamloops! This works for everyone. I can ship pain-free, my son gets his gas paid for, and the customer gets her birdbath express delivered to her doorstep. Sometime things just work out.

Suncatcher Chime Fancy, Inspiration

Click on the picture to see it larger

Suncatcher Chime, beach glass inspired, cold forged

hammered copper diamond connectors. Three handcrafted copper chimes.

To learn more, or to purchase, visit the website by Click Here.

After all these years of making suncatchers, I still come up with new ideas. Having left over heavy copper sheeting from the patching I had to do on the hammered copper sink for the birdbath I made, it occurred to me that I could use this to make some neat new decoration on my suncatchers and wind chimes. Above, the results: the hammered cold forged copper diamonds between the glass pieces.

Inspiration is a funny thing. I find it has to come to me, that I can not go to it. It comes in a flash, from (as far as I can tell) nowhere. It seems most often to be triggered by materials: a piece of stone on the beach, a stick, a scrap of metal. Sometimes, it comes from a question someone asked (i.e, 'can you make a birdbath?'). Where ever, and what ever, I feel grateful that I do get ideas, and that often those ideas do seem to work out.

Wind Chime, Freestanding, Beach Stone and Copper

Click on the image to see it larger

Wind chime, Freestanding

Natural Pacific Beach Stone with Copper

for more information, or to purchase, Click Here

I have a passion for beautiful smooth rounded beach stones, and for copper. So it is only natural that I love creating freestanding wind chimes from these materials. I just finished making the one pictured above, and consider it a real success. It's an organic, lovely piece.

The only problem with these is that they are large, and heavy. That's a problem because I not only make them, but I ship them; trust me, they are not so much fun to pack and the postage is not so much fun to pay.

Whenever I get a notice that one sold, first my heart soars with the thrill of another sale, and then sinks with the realization of the task ahead. But over the years I have perfected the art of packing these, and it's not all that bad anymore. Bad, but not that bad.

And from the enthusiastic emails customers send after receiving this style, the effort is worth it.

Bird Feeder Art Wind Chime Makeover

Click on the pictures, to see it larger

Deluxe Bird Feeder Wind Chime

Delicious

I've made a lot of deluxe art bird feeder wind chimes over the years. They are without a doubt one of the most labor intensive creations I make. So many precision saw cuts! About a year ago, when I made several, I thought that I had perfected the design beyond further improvement. Wrong.

I'm not sure that the room for improvement ever completely vanishes. While the look is almost the same, this latest design incorporates several significant enhancements.

For example, instead of resting on top, the cover now actually fits over the feeder. This is not only more secure, but also more water tight, and more attractive. The perches are a little longer, and I am sure the birds will be sending plenty of thank you notes for that one. Also, the seed bin is larger. So my 'perfect' design got a considerable makeover, and is that much closer to actually being perfect.

You can find the feeder for sale on my website, right here: Feeder

It is also available with impressive iron chimes, right here: Feeder Iron Chimes

You can also buy this amazing feeder without any chimes at all, if you like. Just scroll down the website page, and there is that option on the PayPal submit form.

Another Birdbath

Click on the pictures to see them larger.

Above, reflection in the bath. Look at that beautiful old copper!

Below, the medium-size birdbath.

My last posting showing the large driftwood birdbath drew a number of enthusiastic comments. So I though I would go ahead and post a couple of pictures of my other birdbath creation.

I like them both, but if I had to choose I would pick the great big old fellow. This smaller one is neat, though, in that there is a big stainless steel threaded fitting up into the wood, and then right through a big natural beach stone. It's bolted to the stone. So you just bury the stone in your garden, and that's a nice stable bath.

The big root bath is now featured on the special order page of my website.

And that reminds me! I just invested in a sparkling new template for my website, and after working many hours I've now uploaded everything. New, and hopefully improved. You probably will not notice too much difference in appearance, but things should work even more smoothly. Why not check it out? Besides, I lowered a bunch of prices!

Birdbath

Click on the pictures to see them larger.

Pacific Root Driftwood
With a Large Old Copper Sink
Birdbath

I mentioned a while back that I was working on a birdbath, as a potential custom order. I'd never made one before-- the idea had never even occurred to me. And when a customer asked if I could make a birdbath, my initial thought was to say no. However, I suddenly remembered a big old pounded copper sink someone had given me last summer, and realized that maybe this could be the bath.

Driftwood is always a passion of mine, and so that aspect of the bath was a natural. It was not so simple or quick to find the piece of wood that matched my plans. Then, all the technical aspects of fitting the bath into the wood, and securing the wood to the earth.

I'm happy with the results, though. Perhaps I will be adding birdbaths to my lineup of home and garden designs. In the meantime, check out my website for all the neat things I already offer. You can always visit my Special Order page, too, to read about requesting something different.

The night after taking the photographs above, it snowed. So here is a fun image of the same feeder snow covered.

New Snazzy Wind Chime Windsails!

Click on the image to see it larger

New snazzy windsail design: Hammered copper

I constantly strive to improve my designs, and to dream up new ideas. Innovation often arrives through indirect routes.

Recently a customer asked if I could make a birdbath for her. Never having made one before, my initial reaction was to decline. But then I recalled an acquaintance had long ago given me a very large, beautiful old round copper sink. After much thought, I decided this could be a very cool birdbath, using a huge, upside down driftwood root. More on all that in another post. The thing is, I had to buy some thick copper to patch the drain hole in the sink. That in turn led to my inspiration for a new windsail design.

The new windsails add, I feel, an elegant twist to my wind chimes. My chimes are still mostly going to be offered with the tung nut oiled red cedar sails, but there is now the option (for a small fee) to upgrade to this new copper style.

For those who have previously purchased a wind chime from Coast Chimes, there is also the opportunity to order just a windsail (or a replacement cedar sail, if yours has gotten worn over the years).

Check out my the Windsail Page on my website.

Wholesale Wind Chimes and Art

Left, center and right, several of my suncatchers hanging in the window of the Full Moon and Candle Company, in Sequim Washington.

Recently I improved the Wholesale Ordering page on my website. Now not only can you custom order for your store or gallery, but I have also put together some Easy Order bundles. These are especially suitable for the first time order, when you want to try out fairly small selections of items. So now you can instantly order a selection of suncatchers, or a selection of wind chimes.

Some of these easy order selections are even suitable for individuals, who may want to order a larger selection for their home, yard or garden, or as gifts. There is even an easy order cold forged copper earring page, which would be a great way to get all your friends something unique, beautiful, and for an amazing price.

Neat Suncatchers

New!
Beach Glass inpspired
Suncatchers
Click on the pictures to see them larger

Freestanding suncatcher above and
hanging version below.

I've just added several really nice beach glass inspired kaleidoscope suncatchers to my website.

There is a hanging style, and a freestanding style. These are really fine for any sunny window. As the sun shines through the glass, the colors come alive producing a beautiful display.

Despite being extremely well made with eco-friendly tung nut oiled red cedar box frames and extra-thick plate glass, I have decided to place these in my Under $75 section— and the price includes postage and insurance for the USA and Canada!

Why not have a look now? Click Here to visit them on my website. Enjoy!

Bosch Table Saw Dead

Click on the image to see it larger

Beach glass inspired kaleidoscope wind chime
On sale for $127.50 instead of $177.50!
Visit the Kaleidoscope Carousel Gallery of my Website.

I just bought 200 pieces of 3 1/2 X 11 inch thick plate glass, and I was looking forward to getting to work making a lot of neat wind chimes and freestanding suncatchers when...
my Bosch 4000 table saw broke— again. It's dead.

Several years ago, just shortly after the warranty expired, the bearings burnt out and I had to ship it to Vancouver, wait about two months, and pay a small fortune to have it repaired. Since then, it has worked pretty well. But now it does not even hum when I turn it one. Ominous.

I'm going to look at it today, to see if I can figure out what is going on. But most likely I will end up getting a new saw. This time, it will be a DeWalt. That will be cost about $700, so I will be looking to sell quite a few items in the next few weeks, which means great deals for you!

I just lowered the sale price of my kaleidoscope wind chime to $127.50, including Expedited postage to the USA or Canada (other countries, email for a reduced postage quote). I also have a super beautiful flowing copper wind chime on sale.

Beautiful Blue ~ Beach Glass Inspired Scultped Wind Chime

Click on the picture to see it larger

Sculpted red cedar with blue glass and copper. Beautiful. For more information, or to purchase, visit my website.

I love red cedar, especially when treated with my eco-friendly tung nut oil finish. It's smooth, soft, smells good, and looks great! I think it compliments my glass and the copper very nicely. So I really like this wind chime!

Finally, most of the snow is gone. This is great, as taking pictures with a snowy background is a real drag-- messes up brightness and contrast. However, a lot of my supplies are still buried under deep snow behind the house, so it will be a while before certain project can be tackled. I'm looking so forward to spring, and especially summer!

SD Cards Jump in Technology

Before long, these will be available up to 2 terabytes~Enough memory for over 165,000 images

My first digital camera had some small SD card that I would constantly fill, have to empty into my computer, and go back to taking pictures of my stuff. Then I got something like a 512 MB card, and things were easier, But I would once and a while still fill it during one session (I take a lot of pictures of my work!). So just recently I saw the price on 2GB cards, and bought one right away-- less than $30!

Well, recently announced, in the near future there will be 2 terabyte cards (SDX) available. 2 terabytes? 2000 megabytes! Enough memory in a postage stamp size card to hold 600-1000 HD movies. Or over 160,000 images. Guess I wouldn't be running out of memory with one of those puppies! It boggles the mind (at least my mind) that so much data could be stored in such a small thing.

The first of the new cards should be out later this year, but these will be 64GB.

My guess? Watch for a change in how your local video store rents movies.

Barbecued Dog

Click on the image to see it larger

These cold days, the wood stove is nice and toasty, but Yukon proves falling asleep in front of it is not a good idea.

We've had such a long, cold winter. The ol' wood stove has been working hard to heat our home.

We all like to spend some moments in front of it, warming our back and front sides. No one likes this more than Yukon. Last night we were all upstairs when suddenly we smelt something burning. Turned out to be dog fur. The hound had been sleeping a little too close, for a little too long, and he started to toast. I guess his heavy fur coat insulates pretty well, and he never felt how hot it was, until it was too late. Talk about a 'golden' retriever! I noticed he is not sleeping in front of the stove this morning, so maybe he's figured that out.

Beach Glass Inspired Kaleidoscope Wind Chimes!

Click on the image to see it larger

Beach glass inspired kaleidoscope wind chime
Now on sale on my website!

Despite the cold, irregardless of the snow, I have finally managed to complete a few of my popular kaleidoscope art wind chimes. There are four stunningly beautiful new ones on my website, and I even put one of them on sale for only $137.50, instead of the usual $177.50. The price even includes shipping (USA and Canada)!

It does indeed continue to be unusually cold here on the Sunshine Coast. Last night it was minus 6C, and the forecast is for snow tonight and tomorrow. Unbelievable. We still have snow on the ground from before Christmas. This makes for very pretty hikes up on the mountain, but uncomfortable days working on my projects. Thank goodness for my somewhat heated workshop-- the first year I have this luxury. Still, there is a lot of stuff that has to be done right out in the open, and I can hardly wait for spring!

Cool Freestanding Suncatchers

Click on the image to see it larger

Freestanding Beach Glass Inspired
Suncatcher Chime
Natural Pacific Beach Stone ~ Naturally Beautiful!

Busy times here on the Sunshine Coast. The Christmas rush, and then several wholesale orders, made a BIG dent in my stock. So I am working full speed to make new things.

I've just completed a series of freestanding natural beach stone sculptures, some with handcrafted copper chimes, some with double sets of chimes, and othres with glass and no chimes. These are truly unique. The glass and copper go so nicely with the natural stone and the tung nut oiled wood. Very peaceful.

To see the full series, visit the Gallery Page of my website. You can learn all about them, and, if you wish, buy one. Even though these are large and heavy to ship, there is no postage or handling charge on my website prices for the USA or Canada. If you are in Canada, you may wish to ask for an invoice in Canadian funds. Enjoy.

New Reverse Painted Double-sided Wind Chimes Series

I've finally completed a new series of my original reverse painted double-sided art wind chimes. These are cool. All the color is on the inside, well sealed between two plates of very thick glass, so they are just fine outdoors in all seasons, all weather.

This series I made somewhat more complex than in the past, more glass, and a bit larger, too.

Here are detail pictures of the glass from each of the three sets of wind chimes. These wind chimes have a different painting on each side, so it's almost like getting two wind chimes! You can see full pictures and read more information on my website Gallery page, by clicking here.

Click on the images to see them larger

Earrings Now Offered Wholesale

Click on the picture to see it larger, or, better yet, visit the 'Earring Wholesale Page"on my website.

Recently I expanded and simplified the wholesale ordering page of my website. Feedback has been great! Now I have added in a wholesale earring page, as well. My cold forged copper earrings are always popular, and reportedly very comfortable to wear as well!

So if you have a store and would like to sell these cool, handcrafted copper earrings, this is a simple way to order wholesale.

Hey! This would also be a great way to order fabulous (but inexpensive) gifts for a party, or some friends. They need never know what a great deal you got!

Wind Chime in a Customer's Yard

Coast Chimes all Glass and Copper Wind Chime
At its new home in Arizona

It's so nice when customers are excited and proud enough to take a picture of their new wind chime, and email it to me. I enjoy seeing my work in different places, different states, provinces, and countries. It's a little odd seeing my work in places I have never visited.

I particularly like the way this customer has hung the chime. I've seen these large black forged hooks before around here, and even thought about buying some and selling them along with my chimes. But they are just too large to ship. Besides, I believe they are widely available and very reasonably priced at around $15. That's less than I could ship them for. They are certainly well suited for my work. She got this just right, with the sun behind the glass.

See more of my wind chimes and other work on my website.

Wholesale Packages Now Available, Coast Chimes

Three different wholesale sample packages
now being offered at Coast Chimes!
Visit the Wholesale Page for Details

There have been more and more wholesale enquires for Coast Chimes designs, and it has always been a little complicated sorting out what stores and galleries want. After having completed quite a few of these orders, I got a clear enough idea of what people usually want.

Thus is born the quick and easy wholesale packages that I now offer. There is a small sample package for trying my work out, or for a small shop, a medium one, and a large package which includes two large wind chimes.

This is an easy way to try Coast Chimes out in your store or gallery. It is also a good starting point for those who want to add in some other items. If you own a retail space, why not check out Coast Chimes' new and improved wholesale shopping section?

Flowing Copper Wind Chime

Flowing Copper Art Wind Chime
Beach glass inspired. Five copper chimes with a beach stone clapper.
Click on the picture to see it larger.
Click Here (www.coastchimes.com) for more information, or to purchase.

My flowing copper wind chime is one of several styles I sold out of during the Christmas rush, and I have been working overtime trying to replenish my stock. Finally I got two flowing copper wind chimes made, one of which is pictured above.

I love this style. The curved copper top compliments the copper wire wrapped glass so nicely. It's peaceful and pretty. Practical, too, since this is a style that can is very well suited to year round outdoor use. That said, I know some people use my wind chimes inside, and that is certainly an unusual and interesting decorating idea.

You can see from the image that we still have a lot of snow here on the Pacific Coast. I don't recall it ever having been so cold and snowy for such a long stretch. What a great year to have finally put heat into my workshop! I don't believe I would be getting much accomplished these days without that. Heat and light, truly a delight.