How to shop for a cuckoo clock
Cuckoo clocks make great gifts, souvenirs, and timepieces that will add charm and character to any home. If you are in the market for a cuckoo clock, carefully consider your options before purchase. In addition to scouring your local antique and clock shops, turn your search to the World Wide Web to find that perfect clock. Since cuckoo clocks are traditionally made in the Black Forest area of Germany, consider picking one up on your next European holiday or purchasing one from a store based in the country. There are countless places to find the perfect cuckoo clock, so start your search today.
When looking for a cuckoo clock, you should first assess your budget and expectations. Cuckoo clocks are sold in all budgets, from modest pieces with little decoration and moving parts to colossal works of art that can occupy an entire wall. Additionally, consider the space for your cuckoo clock. When finding a place in your home, ensure the clock's weights and chains will have plenty of room to move, since obstacles that block the movement would prevent the clock from properly working. Also, consider the look you want for your cuckoo clock. Although the traditional look of the clocks may be similar, different makers offer different styles of clocks, from the more modestly decorated to the king of kitsch.
By far, the best place to look for a cuckoo clock is in Germany. Although a European visit may be more than a hop, skip, and a jump away, if you are planning to visit the country in the near future, keep in mind a cuckoo clock is an excellent souvenir. Many manufacturers open their shops and workshops to the public, allowing you to chat with the men and women that created your personal timepiece. In addition to learning about the history of the clocks, the experience is one that is sure to be remembered.
If international travel is not on your itinerary, look to your local shops for cuckoo clocks. Most shops that sell clocks will have at least a couple styles of cuckoo clocks. Also, if you are interested in purchasing an older clock, check out the antique stores in your area or visit local flea markets to see what your search will reveal. In some instances, you may be able to pick up a clock for less money than in a store, but keep in mind the clock may need to be repaired or restored.
For a greater source of cuckoo clocks, turn to the World Wide Web. The internet is a veritable treasure trove for anything and everything under the sun. A quick internet search will produce countless dealers that sell every imaginable version of cuckoo clocks. However, keep in mind when using the internet as a shopping tool that scams can be more difficult to detect. In order to not become separated from your hard earned cash through a tricky internet scam, ensure you purchase a cuckoo clock from a quality, reputable dealer with a sterling reputation.
Looking for an antique cuckoo clock? Turn to internet auction sites like Ebay! Ebay is a fantastic tool for finding anything and everything under the sun and unites the world through a single forum that serves as a gigantic flea market. Again, the word on Ebay is "buyer beware," so only purchase clocks from sellers with positive feedback from previous buyers. Also, keep in mind that older clocks may need more work, which results in costs associated with hiring a clockmaker to fix your newfound treasure. Although they may need a bit of tender loving care, antique cuckoo clocks are truly unique creations.
Donna Somerkin specializes in Cuckoo Clocks http://www.cuckoo-clocks-u.com
History of cuckoo clocks
Cuckoo clocks are unique creations that are centuries old. The first cuckoo clock was produced back in the early 18th century in Germany's region known as the Black Forest. Clock making in this area of Germany dates back to the early 17th century, almost a full hundred years before clockmakers and craftsmen produced the very first cuckoo clock. The father of cuckoo clocks in believed to be the German clockmaker, Franz Anton Ketterer, although there are a great many stories and lore revolving around this unique timepiece.
This early clock was thought to be inspired by a Bohemian design from the late early 1600s that came to Germany from a peddler from the modern day Czech Republic. This method of selling timepieces made the cuckoo clock even more famous, as clock makers all around the Black Forest area of Germany. In the next three centuries, peddlers would travel all around Europe selling these charming timepieces, further influencing different areas of Europe with the unique sound of the cuckoo clock.
Although the first cuckoo clocks were made of wood, they are a great deal simpler in style than the intricately decorated and heavily carved creations that are usually thought of to be cuckoo clocks. Instead of just the case being made of wood, early Germany clockmakers made every piece of the clock from wood, including the gears and other working parts. This is one of the reasons why these early clocks have fallen into disrepair or are completely lost. Furthermore, many of these early clocks were painted with watercolor paints, which do not have the potential to hold their pigments over time and are easily removed by simply cleaning the clock with a damp cloth.
Although these early clocks were more primitive than their modern day counterparts, they included the famous cuckoo bird instead of more traditional chimes to mark the hour. Native to Asia, Africa, and Europe, the cuckoo bird is a unique bird that lays their eggs in the nests of other birds, which in turn rear the cuckoo's young as surrogate parents. This bird was commonly grey in color, although the female features a vibrant tuft of red feathers atop her head.
Also like today's clocks, the early cuckoo clocks were decorated in schemes that showed families, military motifs, or hunting scenes. In the late 1800s, the production of cuckoo clocks became industrialized and began production for customers all over Germany, Europe, and the rest of the world. Soon, the cuckoo clock became immediately synonymous with Germany life and style, making the timepiece an incredibly popular souvenir. Three of the more famous clock makers in Germany began making cuckoo clocks, namely Theodore Ketterer, Fidel Hepting, and Johann Baptist Beha.
Unlike the industrialization in other parts of the world where large, noisy, dirty factories took over the countryside, the cuckoo clock factories were generally much smaller and housed in cottages where entire families would contribute one specific part of the clock. Each individual was trained in one aspect of clock making or decorating, with one family member working on the actual clock, another working on the case carving, another on painting the decorations, and another to completely assemble the piece. Over 13,500 men, women, and children worked in making cuckoo clocks during this period of time in the Black Forest village of Triberg.
Today, the cuckoo clock has made its way all over the world. Still made in many of the same traditions, the most historic cuckoo clocks are still produced in the Black Forest region. Whether you choose to decorate your home with a clock that houses the tiny bird or want a true German souvenir to remember your trip, a cuckoo clock is the perfect addition to any home.
Bill Carmel specializes in Cuckoo Clocks http://www.u-cuckoo-clocks.com
Add More Storage To Your Bedroom Without Remodeling
Everyone can use more storage and one of the best places to add storage to is the bedroom. What with all your clothes and personal items cluttering up the closet and bureau, the bedroom can sometimes seem like a messy catch all for all your household clutter. Here's some ways you can clean up the bedroom and get some extra storage space too boot!
Your Closet
One way to gain a ton of space is to install a closet organizer. It doesn't have to be a fancy expensive one (although feel free if you want one). You won't believe how much extra space you can get from when you use one of these systems.
The metal rails systems for closets are great. You can get acrylic shelves, chrome baskets and special slotted pieces for shoes and hats. The slotted systems are good as they provide ventilation which helps your clothes to breathe and are easy to maintin. These adjustable components come with a non-chip and non stick coating.
When choosing a closet organizer, make sure you pick a system that allows you to double up your rack space. This way you can hang shorter clothes like shirts and skirts on top of each other and literally double your closet space!
Hidden Storage In Your Bedroom
You might already have some storage space in your bedroom that you don't even realize you have! Do you have space under the bed? Are you using it to it's fullest? Clean out all the dust bunnies and throw away the socks and junk that has accumulated under there and use this for long term storage. You can put off season clothing, camping gear, toys or whatever under there when it is not in use. Store the items in Tupperware containers (you can buy the low ones on wheels for easy retrieval) or space bags to protect the items and create a neat storage space.
Another overlooked storage area is a room divider. If you have one sitting in the corner as a decorative item, you might want to look at the space behind it. This can be used to store items that you don't need to get at every day like craft supplies or maybe even cleaning supplies.
Storage Baskets
Storage baskets are a great place to store various objects and can also add decorative touches to your bedroom. You can use them for small stuff like keys, holding bills or correspondence, toiletries, towels, jewelry and just about anything else that will fit in the basket. You can buy large baskets for your laundry and smaller ones to use as catch alls.
When buying baskets to use as storage in the bedroom, make sure you pick ones that match your bedroom décor. There are many types of storage baskets available in the market in many different sizes and shapes and colors, and in different materials. Some are utility oriented, while some are meant as decorative items. You can choose from willow, woven ash, rope, wrought iron, woven sea grass, bamboo, woodchip and a variety of other types with all different kinds of embellishments so you should be able to find a basket that matches any bedroom décor.
Adding more storage to your bedroom can help you get better organized and even help you remove some of the clutter from other rooms in the house. Now you just need to remember to put that stuff away in the right place!
Lee Dobbins writes for Bedroom Designs And Decorations where you can find more tips on decorating your bedroom.
