• Hang your wind chime directly from the O-ring (if unsure, see diagram above to identify the o-ring). Don't attach additional string to the O-ring for hanging. The O-ring needs to be the point of attachment regardless of the supporting element the chime is hung from. Attaching string (wire, chain, etc) to the O-ring will permit your chime to swing which will diminish much of the chime's music.

• Hang your chime where the wind can reach it from as many directions as possible. An exposed corner of a house, barn, building, etc. will most likely get the most air movement. Also, air movement tends to be greater at increased heights. Some have had great success by hanging their chimes in trees.

• Try to avoid hanging your chime too close to anything that might obstruct air flow such as plants, walls, furniture, etc. Even screened in porches have the ability to reduce the air movement enough to prevent your chime from activating.

• Seasonal changes contribute greatly to the direction and velocity of air currents. Try experimenting with different locations with the changing seasons to achieve the sound that is most pleasing to your ear.

To help retard the natural aging process of hardwood materials, apply a periodic, thin coat of Danish or lemon oil to the hardwood parts.
The tubes of traditional Woodstock Chimes are made of anodized aluminum that will not rust when exposed to the elements. However, over time the aluminum may show show pitting as a result of enviromental factors. Please note this will not affect the beautiful tone of the chimes. Use mild soap and water (or a foaming, non-abrasive cleanser) to clean the tubes, glass or plastic parts. Try not to dampen the string.

The brass parts of Woodstock Temple Bells, Garden Bells and other Woodstock bell products can be polished with a brass cleaner.

  I'm calling this wind chime a Mexican "clay" wind chime because, as of this  writing, I'm unsure of its exact material composition (there's also a good possibility that it may be ceramic). I'll go into other details of its construction after I tell about my acquisition of the wind chime (this wind chime is not currently available for purchase on this site).

I purchased this particular wind chime from a Mexicana, beach-vendor that was laboring under the weight of one of the ubiquitous contraptions that these hard-working vendors use to carry their assorted wares. The rivulets of sweat on the forehead of my vendor was proof that hers was no easy job. I approached her and she informed me how nice one of her wind chimes would be for my home. I agreed, and we negotiated a fair price for a type of wind chime about which I was very curious but with which I was also quite unfamiliar.

As I mentioned earlier, I believed the wind chime to be constructed from clay or similar material. The sound is earthy and matches its design perfectly. The tones were so different from the wind chimes with which I have some experience, that I knew I had to own it.

The "tube" strings appear to be made from a type of coated nylon and time will tell how resilient they are. The hanging cord for the chime is a rough, sisal twine, also perfectly matched to the chimes character. The twine hanging cord is  neatly terminated at either end with a noose-like tie off.

Wind chimes come in all designs and sound characteristics. This wind chime's sound was new to me. Part of the listening enjoyment from my own collection of wind chimes is picking out the sound of my backyard chimes on a windy day just as one might strain to identify a particular musical instrument in the melodious, cacophony of a symphony's warm-up.

Just like my purchase of this "Mexican" wind chime, I look forward to discovering new wind chime designs and sounds that are the creative invention of yet undiscovered craftsmen and their materials.