Credit: Own work

Historical Timeline

3000 B.C.- Natural wind chimes constructed of shells, stones, bones, wood, and bamboo believed to be from 3000 B.C. were unearthed during archeological digs in Southeast Asia. Because of this discovery, wind chimes are believed to be one of man’s first musical instruments. The wind chimes excavated in Bali, Indonesia are believed to have been used by farmers to scare birds away from crops.

2000 B.C.- Metal wind chimes were created in Mediterranean countries, North Africa, and the Middle East. It is believed that these developed independently without influence from the wind chimes in Asia, which demonstrates the universality of these sweet instruments.

1100 B.C.- Wind chimes with bells were created in China. They were often hung in temples and places of worship, as they delicate pealing of the bells was believed to ward off evil spirits while calling in kind ones. Wind chimes have deep ties to Buddhist culture, and are believed to connect humans more deeply with the higher powers of the universe and act as calls to the gods during prayer.

1800 C.E.- The popularity of wind chimes spread from China to Japan, all across the Eastern world, and then to the West. This trend was called “Japonisme,” which refers to the notable permeation of Asian culture and artistic influence across Europe and the Western world.

1970 C.E.- Precision-tuned wind chimes were first manufactured. The shapes, materials, and artistic processes behind creating these chimes determines the exact sounds of the music they create.

2018 C.E.- Uno Alla Volta’s wind chimes are handmade in the thriving port city of Surat, India, with inspiration and influence drawn from a variety of artistic styles throughout history. The nana bells they often feature are highly characteristic of Indian designs.

Health And Wellness Benefits

Feng-Shui: Wind chimes are believed to balance the energy within a home, as well as have a positive effect on the ambience of a space.

Anti-Anxiety: As with all gentle noises, the soft sounds of wind chimes can have a calming effect on the listener, lessening their symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Fun Facts

-Wind chimes were often hung from trees by Celtic soldiers to scare enemy troops into believing the woods were haunted.

-When hung outdoors, wind chimes can be used as a basic method of meteorology, as changes in their sound patterns indicate changes in wind speeds.

Feeling inspired? Shop Uno Alla Volta’s collection of handmade windchimes here!

While our artisans create handcrafted treasures for every style and budget, today we’d like to focus on our luxury items for those of you in the mood to spoil yourselves. Handmade by expert craftspeople using only the finest materials available, these treasures have the power to elevate your wardrobe and home from ordinary to extraordinary.

Dimensional Glass Seascape

With Diane responsible for the exquisite glasswork and Ann taking ownership of the delicate hand-painting, these two work together to create pieces that are so much more than the sum of their parts.

Orient & Flume Cherry Blossom Vase

This California based studio’s work can be found in the permanent collections of many of the most prestigious museums in the world: The Smithsonian, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Corning Glass Museum, just to name a few.

Grey & Black Florentine Leather Structured Handbag

Using the masterful leatherworking techniques and exacting standards passed down to them by their ancestors, our artisans skillfully create each bag from the most supple Italian leather.

Amy Kahn Russell’s Dragonfly Russian Miniature Necklace

Inspired by her blend of cultural heritages and nature’s beauty, Amy Kahn Russell of Connecticut handcrafts this striking dragonfly Russian miniature necklace. The hand-painted Russian miniature pendant hangs from a faceted crystal chain for a sweet, ethereal look.

Amber, highly appraised for its warm, golden hues and gemstone qualities, is not actually a stone at all. Found in areas surrounding the Baltic Sea, the rare fossilized tree resin from over 45 million years ago is collected and polished to a smooth finish. This amber naturally contains succinic acid: a healing agent which is believed to be anti-inflammatory and therapeutic for the body and mind.

This stunning Baltic amber and sterling silver jewelry was handmade by our artisan, Avi. Throughout his career, Avi has shared his talents in order to help others, from mentoring new artisans to offering employment in his workshop to the disabled. An avid supporter of human rights causes, Avi brings the same passion into his jewelry design as he does to helping the community.

Shop all of Avi’s handmade sterling silver jewelry here!

From simple soft-serve cones to over-the-top sundaes, ice cream truly reigns as the American favorite dessert. However, to celebrate National Ice Cream Day, we thought we’d introduce you to a special recipe from our friends in Italy. From the Italian word for drowned, an affogato is a scoop (or two!) of ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over the top. The tastes complement each other perfectly, while the differing temperatures help the ingredients melt seamlessly into one another. Feeling even more adventurous? You can also add a shot of Amaretto, Frangelico, Kahlua or another favorite liquor to your affogato to elevate it even more.

Try serving your affogato in this gorgeous hand-blown glass for extra elegance.

Here in New England, the blueberry crops are finally ripe and ready to be picked. Children wander the rows of blueberry bushes with buckets in hand, excitedly staining their mouths with the sweet fruit of summer. These little berries are perfect for pies, pancakes, muffins, and smoothies, but we love using them as a quick and easy filling for crepes. Your guests will be awed by the taste and presentation of this dish, and you can revel in its sweet simplicity.

Mixed Berry Crepes

-Your favorite basic crepe recipe (we like this one from Pillsbury)

-One carton of strawberries

-One pint of whole blueberries

-One can of sweetened condensed milk

First, rinse all the berries. Next, thinly slice the strawberries and add them to a bowl. Gently mix in the whole blueberries and set aside. Next, prepare the crepe wrappers according to the recipe and stack them on a plate. Fill the crepes one at a time with 1/3 of a cup of the berry mixture down the center and a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk to taste. Tuck the sides of the crepe in toward the center, creating a tubular shape. Enjoy!

I have been a member of the handcraft community for nearly two decades now. During this time, I have discovered the common thread that ties artisans from across the globe together: they are constantly inspired to create by the beauty of the natural world.

For me, it’s towering, stoic sunflowers that constantly inspire me. What is it about those beauties? They are anything but delicate. Meaty, strong, and nurturing, sunflowers have provided essential nutritional qualities throughout most cultures and time periods. As they drink in the sun’s rays, they climb and they climb. As I gaze at them, I remember the importance of growth.

Our artisans are inspired by sparkling gemstones, colorful flowers, buzzing bees, sandy shorelines, and so much more. No matter which segment of our lush, green earth they come from, these talented individuals delight in creating treasures which honor Mother Nature.

What inspires you? Let us know in the comments below!

As if you needed another excuse to celebrate love, today is International Kissing Day! This is the perfect time to pull your loved ones just a little bit closer and celebrate the human connection. It’s also a great day to re-watch your favorite romantic movies, reread passionate books, or visit loved ones you don’t see very often. Our curated assortment of handmade, kiss-themed treasures will help make this day of love even more special.

Venetian Glass “Kissing Hearts” Necklace

Kissing Elephants Figurine

“Hearts Of Fire” Opal XO Earrings

“Hearts Of Fire” Opal XO Bracelet

Pewter XOXO Magnets

Terri, our CEO, was delighted to spend the day at Nora Murphy’s Country House celebrating the summer season. Our Americana Polish pottery and hand-painted wine glasses perfectly coordinated with Nora’s classic, country style for an impeccably decorated Fourth of July tablescape. If you weren’t able to tune in live, you can watch the segment below to celebrate Independence Day with us! We also hope you’ll visit Nora’s blog to hear her firsthand account of this meeting and admire her breathtaking photography here.

Do you want to recreate this look in your own home? You can shop our patriotic Polish pottery selection here, and see all of Margaret’s hand-painted wine glasses here.

As a fire sign, Leos are usually passionate, confident, and a little bit stubborn. These proud lions, who are born between July 23^rd and August 22^nd, are fiercely protective of their loved ones and will do anything to ensure their safety. Leos are intense, energetic, and full of passion, making them great friends and loyal romantic partners. We’ve created the perfect assortment of gifts for your beloved Leo here.

Shopping for a Cancer birthday instead? View our curated assortment here.