Coastline Treasures

Have you ever noticed that there are thousands of different options for garden décor?  It comes in all different shapes, styles, colors, and mediums so anyone can find something.  Some types of garden décor are even particular to where you live.  If you live in a heavily forested area, or an area with lots of wild animals, it is common to put statues of these animals in your garden.  If farm life is your way of living, add windmills, farm signs, and animal statues.  If you live near the water, a nautical or marine type décor may be more suitable.

When deciding on a style for your garden décor, determine what suits you and your home the best.  If you have a traditionally decorated home, matching your garden will give a nice uniformed look.  Using simple furniture and accents will give your garden a homey and relaxing feeling.  If you have a more modern style, try using metals in your backyard to give your garden a contemporary feeling as well.  Your décor will always be unique, and you will always be able to find just what is right for you.

Fishing décor is a great token of the friendly competition that is the sport of fishing.  In my family, fishing, even though it is just for leisure, gets very competitive.  Each summer that we are all up at my grandparent’s house, one of the first things my cousin wants to do is fish.  And to keep him company, I fish with him.  Here though begins days of friendly fishing competition. 

He and I head down to the dock, poles in hand, ready to catch a mess of catfish and bluegills with my grandfather’s homemade bait.  Our competition is to see who can catch a fish first, and then to see who catches the most.  He always wins.  But nonetheless, its always fun.  Fishing is a great way to harbor friendly competition and promote family time.

A welcome sign is the first friendly gesture a person gets when arriving somewhere.  But not all are actual signs; different cultures have ways of welcoming people and saying hello.  Here in America, the common greeting is a handshake.  A firm handshake is a sign of respect.  But in other countries, a handshake is impersonal, or even unknown.

The way other cultures greet a person, whether it be a total stranger or someone very familiar to them, is very interesting.  In Polynesia, the customary greeting is a warm embrace followed by a few hardy pats on the back.  In France, people greet each other by kissing each other on the cheek.  In Chile, it is extremely important to make direct eye contact with a person.  In Japan, a bow is customary.  Also, in many other cultures, it is customary to stand very close to a person, unlike here where personal boundaries are respected.

A nice greeting is always a great way to make a new friend and make someone feel welcomed.  So, whether it is with a sign, or a gesture, make sure you are always welcoming.

Glass animal figurines come in every size, shape, color, and species you could imagine.  In our dining room we have a display cabinet filled with all different animals.  We have everything from a Dalmatian puppy to a camel.  The possibilities are endless when deciding what animals you want to display. 

It is always fun to display your animals corresponding to the different habitats and ecosystems around the world.  Try collecting different animals from around the globe and arranging them with animals they would be found with.  See how many scenes you can create with your animals and if you can put together a glass habitat from every continent.  But, make sure you don’t put your penguins and polar bears together.  Not only would they probably not get along, they live in different hemispheres.  Have fun!

Hundreds of years ago, during the Age of Exploration, many men ventured out to find a new world, a new life, and new thrills.  These men knew the first nautical home décor; the ship was all they knew and their home for months on end.  But these men endured a hard and dangerous life.  They often sailed into unknown waters, were blown off course by the wind and storms, or plagued with hunger and disease.  The life of a sailor was far from glamorous. 

In addition to the natural dangers of the life of the sailor, the living conditions were not favorable either.  In addition to the bad, spoiled food they ate, they slept in the dark and damp areas below deck.  Most often, the captains were not friendly and merciful either.  Punishments were harsh for sailors.  They would be switched on the back until they bled and their backs were torn to shreds.  They truly led the hard-knock life.

But these early explores were seen a heroes in their homelands.  People would gather at the docks to bid farewell to loved ones, friends, and total strangers as they ventured out to see what was beyond the horizon.  The sailors would be welcomed home with open arms as they brought back treasures, riches, and stories from lands far away.

Now that you have spent time and money collecting your glass figurines, it is time to clean them.  What is the best way to keep their shine and sparkle without damaging them?  First, you want to be careful in how you handle them.  If at all possible, pick them up from the bottom or base of the figurine as it is usually sturdier.  Dust them off with a small soft bristled brush like an artist’s paint brush or make-up brush.  NEVER use paper towels, toothbrushes or the like as they can scratch the glass surface.  Do this as often as needed to keep the dust away.

Occasionally dusting isn’t enough and washing is needed.  Line a sink or small basin with a towel and fill it with warm soapy water.  Be sure not to use any abrasive detergents.  NEVER use bleach or ammonia as this can cause permanent damage to your figurine.   If the figurine is small enough, you can hold it in your hand as you lower it into the water and gently wash it.  If needed, you can use the small artist’s brush to get into any crevices that may still be dirty.  Once your figurine is clean, rinse it with clean warm water and let it air dry.  If wiping is necessary, use a soft cloth.  Once dry, you are ready to display it again and enjoy its brilliance.

Dolphin home décor can be a creative way of teaching your children about marine life.  One day, while they are admiring the dolphin, ask them what they know about dolphins.  Then, after they answer, amaze, and educate, them with these fun dolphin facts.

Did you know?

• Dolphin clicks are short pulses of 300 sounds per second
• Dolphins can swim up to twenty five miles per hour and dive to one thousand feet
• A newborn calf is about a third in length of its mother
• Dolphins can live up to fifty years
• The Chinese River Dolphin is the rarest species of dolphin
• Dolphins usually have between 100 and 160 teeth but can have as many as 250 or as few as fourteen

Make learning fun with dolphin home décor as an educational aid.

*information from animaltime.net and geocides.com

There is nothing more relaxing than spending a calming afternoon outdoors.  Hammock chairs are a great way to sit, swing, and take in the pleasures of your garden.  They have the comfort of a hammock, but allow you to sit up and enjoy the sights in your garden.  Hammock chairs hang beautifully from an awning on the patio or from a study tree.  They are a great way to add tropical bliss to your backyard.

If you don’t have a place to hang a chair in your backyard, but you still want a hammock chair, there is still a way.  The chairs have a special hook that you drive into the awning to allow it to hang.  This same hook can be put in the ceiling of a room and you can enjoy the comforts of the hammock right in your home.  Adding a hammock chair to a beach-themed bedroom is a great way to accent the room in a creative and fun new way.

Decorative wall plaques come in many different styles with many different purposes and can be used in the home or in the garden.  Common outdoor plaques include ones with a family crest, surname, or address.  Putting your street number on a plaque is a great way to make your address noticeable and add flair to the front of your home.  Plaques with a crest or surname add a touch of elegance and class to your outdoor décor.

Indoor plaques also add a touch of beauty and elegance to the home.  Indoor plaques can also display a crest or surname, or any other personal touch.  They can also be purchased to add accent to any décor. 

Both indoor and outdoor plaques can be hand created, purchased at any décor store, or specially ordered to add the right touch to your home.

Nautical culture remains a big part of my hometown in northern Michigan. Shipping industries began to sprout up in the 19th century thanks to the town’s strategic location on Lake Huron. The steady stream of commerce at all hours meant that the area needed plenty of operational lighthouses. This measure was meant to ensure the safety of ships and their crews as they came in to port, but the lasting effect has been much more profound.

Today, Northern Michigan lighthouses are appreciated as much for their historical value as for their functionality. They are especially treasured by older generations, and lighthouse figurines have become collector’s items in recent years. Their intricate detail and lifelike appearance serves as a testament to the quality of the craftsmanship. These figurines are the next best thing to examining a real lighthouse up close.