I’ve finally done it….gone and done a tutorial video! It’s something I’ve been meaning to do for a while but have only just got around to doing. Anyway, here is the first video titled ‘How to play a Singing Bowl’. I hope you find it useful. Gary.
As usual, here’s a shameless plug for my singing bowls!
Where it all started
| Although no one can be sure as to when the singing bowl first came into use there is evidence to suggest that they did not originate, as many would assume, in Tibet. Countries on the Asian continent were using metal bowls to produce sounds as far back as 1100BC. Over the years that followed the study of sound and vibration had grown so advanced that by 500BC China was producing ‘fountain bowls’. These bronze bowls had two handles and could be filled with water. When the two handles were rubbed together a fountain of water would rise up and the bowl would produce a humming sound. |
 An example of a hand-beaten singing bowl
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The knowledge of singing bowl production would have spread throughout Asia along established trade routes. Many believe that the Buddha, Padmasambhava, crossed the Himalaya mountains from India into Tibet. He bought the teachings of the Buddha into the country and also the knowledge of singing bowls. Contrary to popular belief, singing bowls were not used during any religious practices but were used instead as begging bowls and for food. During this period monasteries only used the singing bowl as a chalice.
Why were they produced?
If the singing bowl was not produced for religious practice then the obvious question is: what were they used for? There are accounts of travelling smiths who would make the bowls with materials gathered during their travels. Other theories suggest it was the monks themselves that produced the bowls. If so though, why were they used for eating and not meditation? What was the reason for having the bowls ‘sing’? The fact is no one can be entirely sure who produced the earliest singing bowls as there is no concrete evidence to support either theory.
However, there are theories that the monks did in fact use the bowls for religious purposes. But, rather than being used during mediation the bowls were used instead as sacrificial dishes. The singing from the bowls was to reinforce them message that each sacrifice was being offered harmoniously. Therefore, even though the bowls would never be rung they still had to be pure in every respect.
How were they made?
Ancient singing bowls were traditionally made of seven various metals, each one symbolising a different planet in the solar system. The sound produced by the singing bowls would vary depending upon how the different quantities of metals were mixed together. The metals would be combined to form an alloy which would be left to cool before being beaten into the familiar bowl shape. However, each of these ancient bowls varies and can have more or less than the seven traditionally used metals. This would support the theories that it was the travelling smiths who produced the bowls as, during their travels, not all the metals would have been available which explains why each bowl might be of a different composition.
Today’s singing bowls are either made by machine or are hand beaten into shape. Here is our collection of Tibetan singing bowls.
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Located around 45 miles from Moscow, Sergiev Posad is a beautiful city which is noted for, amongst other things, it’s beautiful buildings and as the birthplace of Russian Dolls (also known as Matryoshka). This article will explore two of the most important buildings in the city and also why the city is considered the toy-making capital of Russia.
| Sergiev Posad is home to the most important of all the Russian monasteries. The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a grand building which dates back to 1345 where it was built by one of the most respected Russian saints, Sergius of Randonezh. The monastery quickly became one of the most important in Russia and is now the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. From its humble beginnings in 1345 the monastery was extended over the centuries with the most notable addition being the Assumption Cathedral which was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in 1559. This Cathedral took over twenty-six years to construct and today houses over 300 monks. | 
View of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius
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Another important building in Sergiev Posad is the Museum of Toys. This museum celebrates a city which has risen to become the largest wooden toy producer in Russia. The city has been producing wood carvings and toys for centuries and some of these toys are exhibited in the museum. Perhaps the most famous of the toys are Russian dolls. These dolls were invented by a painter who worked in a crafts workshop in the city. These very first Russian dolls can today be seen at the museum which first opened in 1918.
After the first Russian dolls were produced they became instantly popular and were in demand throughout the rest of the country. This saw production of all toys within Sergiev Posad boom during the nineteenth century with the city housing thousands of craftspeople producing all kinds of toys (including Russian dolls). Today, the dolls are as popular as ever and there are still thousands of craftspeople in the city who are involved with making the toys. In fact, there are still two working toy factories in the city and even special schools that train their students on the art of making Russian dolls.
Many of the toys are produced in these factories but, perhaps even more are made from those craftspeople that work in their own homes. One such lady is our friend, Elena Beytane. Working from her home in the city, Elena has been making her Russian dolls since she was a teenager. Like most of the craftspeople in the city, she lets her emotions guide the style of painting for each doll. For those craftspeople that create Russian dolls, they believe that by letting their emotions guide their work then each doll actually becomes an extension of themselves. This ensures that each Russian doll is unique to that artist and no two dolls are ever the same.
Sergiev Posad is an important city in Russia. It is not only the home of the Russian Orthodox Church but is also home to the largest toy producing city in the country, producing crafts that both young and old enjoy.
Please follow the link if you would like to see some of Elena’s Russian dolls.
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Many people often ask me how Russian matryoshka dolls are made. With their fascinating artwork and construction the dolls have intrigued many of my customers. So, I thought it was time to share how the matryoshka are produced. And, you may be surprised at just how much work goes into each set!
An artist at work on her dolls
The first preparations actually start years before the dolls are to be made. The tree from which the dolls are produced (usually lime, birch, aspen or larch) needs to be straight, without any knots and cut down in early autumn or winter, so it holds as little sap as possible. The trunk is then stored to allow it to dry which usually takes 2-3 years. During this drying the Russian dolls are carved to ensure that, once dry, the top and bottom half of each doll fit together perfectly.
When the drying process has been completed the Russian dolls are ready to be grained and primed. After this, all the fun creative things can happen! The artist will first draw with pencil the eyes, face and clothing on each doll. When the drawing has been completed the artist will check their work to ensure it meets their quality standards. If not, the doll is then redrawn until the artist is satisfied. After the drawings are finished the artist will then use acrylic paint to complete the doll and give it its individual character. Occasionally, a pattern is burned into the doll before it is painted.
A lacquer is then applied to each Russian doll to protect it from discolouration. This ensures that the doll will age well and the quality will not deteriorate over time. The lacquer also protects the dolls from dust and gives them a fine sheen.
When buying a Russian doll the quality of its craftsmanship should be examined. Each doll should fit into one another easily and each half of the doll should require a little force to separate them. If the dolls do this then they have been well made.
There are thousands of different Russian dolls available around the world. Each with its own unique artist, character and feel. Please follow the link if you would like to see some of Russian Dolls stocked at HandcraftedUK.
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The Beginning
During the 1890′s a painter of Russian folk crafts, Sergei Maliutin produced the world’s first matryoshka doll. He was inspired to make the dolls as, when visiting the Japanese island of Honsu he came into possession of the Japanese ‘fukuruma’ doll. These dolls depicted an old Japanese man doll which inside contained nesting dolls which decreased in size. Maliutin decided to draw a Russian version of the doll in his workplace ‘The Children’s Education Workshop’ on the Abramtsevo estate. This workshop was owned by Savva Mamontov. The name of the dolls comes from the Russian name ‘Matryona’ which was a popular name for peasant women in old Russia.
After his death, Mamontov’s wife exhibited the first matryoshka dolls during the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris. The dolls were instantly popular and earned a bronze medal from the exhibition. This ensured that Russian dolls became well known throughout the world and demand for them increased. |
 An example of some Russian Dolls
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After the World Exhibition
The Children’s Education Workshop was closed soon after the first matryoshka’s were made so production of the dolls moved to the city of Sergiev-Posad. Here the dolls were made in many different styles and the images on them can reflect a time in history. For example, during the Soviet Union era many Russian dolls were painted with images of Soviet leaders. The size of each doll would often correspond to how long each leader had been in power. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, many different images appeared on the dolls including people, animals and nature.
The dolls have become associated with fertility and motherhood. It is not uncommon to see a smiling mother-like figure as the large doll with her children contained inside her.
The dolls which started out in a small workshop in Russia have are now proving popular throughout the world. With their interesting history and varied styles the matryoshka doll has been embraced across different cultures.
Please check out our range of Russian Dolls.
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Ostrich feathers are very low maintenance and can last many years without the need for cleaning. However, there comes a time when every feather needs a bit of help to be returned to its former glory and, with this article we will show you how it’s done!
Storing Ostrich Feathers
| Ostrich feathers will thrive if certain storage conditions are met. We have found that feathers stored between temperatures of 15-23°C (59-73°F) perform very well. In fact, the higher the temperature the better as it means there is less humidity in the air. Over time, humidity can damage the ostrich feathers which means their life span will be shortened. So, it is best to keep the room temperature as close to 23°C as possible.
That’s the room temperature covered but, what should the ostrich feathers be stored in? Although standard card is often used for the storage of feathers this is not recommended because, over time, the acidity in the card can have an adverse affect on the feathers. The best way to store ostrich feathers is in an acid free cardboard box (PH neutral). These boxes not only prevent any acidity aging the ostrich feathers but also protects the feathers from other sources of damage; insects, dust, light exposure and over handling for example. These boxes are easily found on the internet and start from around £20. |
White Ostrich Feathers |
Cleaning Ostrich Feathers
Despite how well the ostrich feathers are stored they will eventually need to be cleaned. We will now outline a couple of methods as to how this can be achieved. If the feathers are carrying dust or other easily removable dirt then we would recommend brushing them. The best brushes to use would be a large artist’s paintbrush (dry!) with natural bristles or, a soft baby brush. A soft brush is needed so that the plumage isn’t damaged during the cleaning. Supporting the ostrich feather in one hand, brush in the direction of the plumage whilst applying a gentle pressure. After a few strokes the dust should be starting to clear from the feather. Take care not to apply too much pressure or brush against the plumage as this is likely to damage the feather.
Many people choose to clean their ostrich feathers using water. We would not recommend this unless it is really necessary. If it is necessary to wash the feathers then the following method should work. Clean each feather individually by rinsing it under lukewarm water, when the feather is damp apply a bit of baby shampoo to it and gently massage it into the ostrich feather by stroking in the direction of the plumage. With the shampoo rinsed from the feather, it can be left to dry overnight or a hairdryer can be used on its lowest setting. Using a hairdryer on the feather should take around 10 minutes. If the feather starts to lose any of its fullness, hold it over a pan of steaming water for a couple of minutes where the humidity should help get the feather back into great shape once more!
We hope this article has demonstrated how, by following a few easy maintenance tips, ostrich feathers can last for many years. If you are after some feathers for yourself then please take a look at our ostrich feathers.
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Who is the Green Man?
The Green Man is the representation of a face which is covered by leaves. These faces can take many forms but the most popular examples are to be found in sculptures and drawings. His leaves change colour depending upon the season he belongs to and from these leaves can sprout branches and/or other vegetation.
Roots of the Green Man
| Trying to trace the origins of the Green Man is almost impossible to do. There are no records to show where he emerged from and so the original symbolism he held remains a mystery. The earliest records we have of the Green Man start somewhere around 100AD in the Roman Empire. By the year 500, the Green Man was beginning to be used by the Christian church after the Bishop, Nicetius, salvaged some Green Man ruins from a Roman temple to decorate his cathedral. |
 An example of a green man plaque.
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During the Reformation when the Roman religion of multiple Gods worship was replaced with Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, the Green Man was not used. However, with time he made a reappearance and can now been seen on many churches and cathedrals where he is used for decoration.
In fact, nobody actually knows what the original name was for the Green Man. It was the scholar, Lady Raglan, who coined the term whilst writing an article on him. She struck on the name after likening the Green Man to other cultural figures and believed the Green Man deserved cultural status too!
The Green Man in Culture
Different cultures view the Green Man in wildly different ways. Whilst Pagan culture considers the Green Man a symbol of life, death and rebirth other faiths have not been so kind to him. For example, in Medieval Christian churches the Green Man takes on an autumnal appearance suggesting a nearness of death. He was considered a demon which represented the ‘fall’ of nature. Over time, the Christian churches began to adopt the Green Man as a symbol of life, death and rebirth also.
The Green Man today has a different meaning for most where he represents the cycle of nature. He is used to decorate many pubs and houses and, in fact, ‘The Green Man’ is one of the most popular pub names within the UK.
Gary Mullen from The Green Man.
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The Early History
| The djembe is believed to date back as early as the 5th century. Many believe that blacksmiths from the Mandinka and Susa peoples were the ones who created the drums. Over time, the migration of these blacksmiths throughout West Africa is believed to have been the reason the djembe became more widespread across West Africa. However, it was not until the emergence the Mandinka people of the Mail Empire that recorded history of djembe began. In Mali, the drums are considered an instrument that can be played to create an ambience during important ceremonies. The drums are so named because they were originally constructed with wood from the jem tree; trees found in Mali that have a very dense wood. The wood is carved into an hourglass shape before being skinned with goat hide. |
A typical example of a djembe drum
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In fact djembe wasn’t even the original name given to the drums! Originally called jembe’s, it was the French colonists who modified the spelling to djembe. The reasoning behind this is that, in the French language the ‘j’ sound has a different pronunciation to the English. So, in order to highlight the hard ‘j’ sound the ‘d’ was introduced to the beginning of the word.
Many historians believe cryptic messages were communicated between people using djembe’s. Because the djembe can be played to produce a variable range of tones, these variables can be used to construct a musical language. Through varying the tones, ‘hidden’ messages could be passed between groups of people. Outsiders were unaware of the code and this made the djembe an invaluable tool to communication during periods of African oppression.
Recent History
It took many years for the drums to be introduced to countries outside of West Africa. They reached Paris in the 1940′s, but became more popular in the 50′s and 60′s with the world tour of Les ballets Africains; a ballet company who use the stage to help their audience form an understanding of African culture. Within the last twenty years numerous drumming circles have incorporated djembe drums into their ensembles.
The djembe is now widely available throughout the world. The instrument that started life as a drum which cultural significance to many West Africans has now been embraced by people from all walks of life.
If you are interested in purchasing a djembe please visit our website.
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The didgeridoo is considered by many to be the oldest wind instrument in the world. It is believed to date as far back as 40,000 years although the earliest evidence found dates from around 2,000 years ago from paintings found upon rocks in the Northern Territory, Australia. What is the story behind this ancient instrument that started its life within small Native Australian communities before going on to find popularity all over the world?
Early History
| We should start by saying that the didgeridoo has not always been known by the same name. In fact, within the different Native Australian cultures that initially produced the instrument it was known by no fewer than 45 different names. The Yolngu people are one such culture that still produces the instrument to this day. Inhabitants of NE Arnhem Land, the Yolngu people know the didgeridoo by the name of ‘yidaki’. The yidaki were made from a variety of eucalyptus woods including ‘stringybark’ and ‘woolybutt’. The yidaki maker would examine many trees to find one that was perfect to make a yidaki; it needed to be naturally hollowed inside by termites. To check if the eucalyptus was hollowed sufficiently, the yidaki maker would hit the bark with his hand or a tool to see if the wood was suitably hollowed. If not, the tree would be left for a later date.
Many Native Australian cultures used the didgeridoo during their religious ceremonies. The music from the didgeridoo was used to accompany singing and dancing during these rituals and, the instrument could only be played by men. The style of play was passed down from the generations and, this style is still difficult for the western player to replicate. Although women were not encouraged to play the didgeridoo they were able to do so in informal situations. |
An example of some didgeridoos |
It wasn’t until the 1920′s that the term ‘didgeridoo’ came into widespread use. Its origins stem from Herbert Basedow who
was an Australian anthropologist that spent much time living with various Native Australian peoples. He is believed to have named the instrument after the sound that is produced whilst the instrument is being played.
The Contemporary Didgeridoo
It is only in recent times that the didgeridoo has become popular throughout the western world. As recently as the 1930′s the didgeridoo was known only in a small area of the Northern Territory in Australia. It was improvements in infrastructure, transport and trade links that usage of the didgeridoo started to spread across the world, becoming a major instrument in the west only within the last 30 years.
Many didgeridoos are still produced using the traditional methods used by the Native Australians centuries ago. However, with its widespread appeal there have come new ways to produce the instrument. Some of the materials used to craft the modern didgeridoo are teak, bamboo, hemp, cactus and plastic. In fact, didgeridoos can be found in almost any material! However, many indigenous Australians believe only the native craftsmen have the spirit to produce a genuine didgeridoo and, this spirit is transferred into the instruments they produce. All other didgeridoos are said to lack this native spirit.
In 2006, the British Medical Journal asked a group of sleep apnea suffers (snorers!) to play the didgeridoo for 25 minutes a day over a 4 month period. The results showed that the group experienced improved breathing during the night and that their snoring had decreased. These improvements were attributed to the strengthening of their airways.
From a traditional instrument used by a few native peoples, the didgeridoo has stood the test of time over thousands of years. It has now become a popular instrument throughout the world and this ancient instrument has recently been shown to provide a very modern cure to snoring!
If you are interested in a didgeridoo then please take a look at our didgeridoo instruments.
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For centuries Chinese Baoding balls have been used to promote many health benefits. This article will explore these benefits, the use of Baoding balls in Chinese alternative therapies and, how to use the balls effectively.
| A Brief History
In order to gain an understanding of the use of the Baoding ball it is necessary to explore its history. The Chinese balls get their name the region in which they were invented; Baoding, China. The Baoding balls are first recorded as being used during the Ming dynasty which ruled China from 1368 for three centuries. They were originally presented to the emperor of the dynasty by a blacksmith who gave them as a gift to be used solely by the imperial family. |
An example of a set
of Chinese Balls |
Use of Chinese balls for health
Over the years the use of Chinese balls spread throughout the Chinese empire so they could be used by all the citizens. Champions for the use of Chinese balls claim that use of them promotes many health benefits. Support for these benefits come from many varied sources including:
Chinese alternative medicine practitioners. In Chinese medicine the fingertips are considered to be linked to the heart. By stimulating the fingertips using Chinese Balls, the vibrating connection with the pressure points stimulates the central nervous system, improves brain functioning, removes worries, increases energy, reduces high blood pressure and, relieves arthritis in the hands. So, from only this one source we can see how something so simple can hold so many benefits to our health!
Also in China, it is not uncommon to see Tai Chi and Qi Hong practitioners using Chinese balls during their exercises. Their reasons for this, amongst others, is that the concentration required to use Baoding balls helps to improve one’s concentration, self-control and, wellbeing. Walking around any park in China you are likely to see those practising these arts using the Chinese balls to synchronise with their body movements.
Even today, many doctors in China will prescribe the use of Chinese balls to patients who report fatigue. The theory is that using the Baoding balls will activate the pressure points in the hand to increase the flow of internal energy.
Even those who do not practise Chinese alternative medicine or the martial arts report many benefits to their health from using Chinese balls. These include:
- Improved memory
- Relaxed muscles and joints
- Stress relief
- Improved sleep
Some Baoding balls are made with small bumps on the surface. Many users believe that when these bumps make contact with the skin the pressure helps to improve blood circulation.
How to use Chinese Balls
The health benefits of using Baoding balls has been outlined above, now we will examine how the Chinese balls are to be used. Baoding balls come in many different sizes, anywhere between 35mm and 100mm in diameter. When the size of the balls increases, the difficulty of using them grows more complex. For this reason many new to the use of Chinese Balls choose to start with balls of 50mm and increase the size when they have gained more experience.
The aim is to rotate the balls in one hand without allowing them to touch one another. When the user grows more confident with using them then more and larger balls can be added. It has been known for some experienced users to rotate 3 or sometimes 4 balls in one hand! This increase in difficulty requires improved hand and arm strength, concentration and dexterity; a few more of the benefits associated with Chinese Balls.
Over the centuries the Chinese Baoding ball has retained a strong presence in improving health in Chinese therapies. Use of the balls is now widespread throughout the world with many users reporting health benefits from using Chinese balls. With a world relying on medicine and drugs, this alternative health practice has stood the test of time.
If you have found this article of interest, you might be interested to see the Chinese Balls held by HandcraftedUK.
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