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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Tintinnabulation


 
 
Bells? For Halloween? Well, consider this reflection from the hand of Edgar Allen Poe......

Brazen bells!
What a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells!
In the startled ear of night
How they scream out their affright!
Too much horrified to speak,
They can only shriek, shriek,
Out of tune

I wasn't there when those words were written, but perhaps ordinary vessels of merriment were cast in an eerie glow because the poet, while penning of them, encountered interruption of a disturbing nature.....

....with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a Raven of the saintly days of yore







Here I will help myself to a generous portion of creative license by suggesting that the aforementioned bells shrieked from the perch of ebony birds.....birds that refused departure despite a hearty implore to not only do so, but...

Leave no black plume as a token.....!






Consider this speculative interpretation of Poe's dilemma. Consider the pecking and cawing congregation - the one taking residence on a cluster of bells, bells, bells, bells. Consider, further, their persistence in the casting of curious eyes upon the craftsman who dares assemble them in heroic homage to the poet! Then pose the question, "Will crafted bells and watchful birds comply to actually peal for us a melancholy tune?"

Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore!"
 

Make a set of Halloween bells from plastic or Styrofoam cups. Spray interiors black. Cut a strip of tissue paper a few inches taller than cup height and longer than circumference at its widest point. Wrap tissue around the outside of the cup, pressing along top and bottom edges to make a pattern. Cut on pressed lines. Double check the shape to make sure it curves to cover the cup. Trace pattern on paper, then cut out and glue to cup.

Cut a length of thin cord, string, raffia, ribbon or yarn twice the height of the cup plus ample extra length for hanging. Punch a small hole through center bottom of cup. Pull cord through, then make a knot larger than the hole at the point where cord is twice the height of the cup. Pull backwards until the knot catches and holds on inside bottom. Secure with glue.




Hand draw ravens on black paper, cut them out, then nest them in sticks and excelsior on top of cups. Tie miscellaneous gizmoes to cords for clappers.

Hang completed bells in a group, close your eyes, and imagine......

....the tintinnabulation that so musically wells 
From the bells, bells, bells, bells -
From the jingling and the tinkling of the bells



then waken to observe that.....

 the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting......















Acknowledgements:

Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore. (1849). The bells. Retrieved October 5, 2013 from
   http://www.eapoe.org/geninfo/poebtsp2.htm

Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore. (1845). The raven. Retrieved October 5, 2013 from
   http://www.eapoe.org/geninfo/poebtsp2.htm

15 comments:

  1. This is "For the Birds" ! :)

    Very cute and creative, as always! :) Now since you have grandSONs around, all that you need to do to complete this is put a matchbox car underneath and put some smeared glue or marshmallow or something white on the car and tell 'em the bird pooped there. HA that is something boys would love. LOL I could just see Brent wanting to make 'poop' for a good half hour. Maybe icing, Joyce...:)

    Seriously this is just so cute! :) Happy Saturday !: )

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  2. These are super creative! I'm a new follower from the weekend bloghop, would love for you to stop by and visit me at http://www.tips4saving.com. Thanks!

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  3. That raven is so scary it is giving me the creeps! Visiting via CharlieBeth's blog hop

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  4. This is awesome. I love The Bells and I enjoyed the way you drew on the poem for inspiration. These bells are beautiful and very spooky-looking for Halloween. What a great decorating idea for Halloween. Thank you for sharing!

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  5. Great post - lovely interpretation of the poem - and what Deb said.... Hee Hee bird poop - I know my grandsons would love that - and if I had granddaughters they would too. Great fun!

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  6. What a neat idea! They look great! I'm so glad you linked up at Sewlicious Home Decor!

    Have a great week!

    Marti

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  7. This is so cute -- you always are and Deb always has a great suggestion for how to take it one step further! Bird poop! All of us Grandmas (and Moms) are going to be laughing about that all day!

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  8. Now besides learning crafts from you, I'm increasing my vocabulary? I had to look that word up. Love it. My grandson would think those were the absolute coolest. The arrangements would look great on a lamp shade also but wouldn't make noise which would be a loss. I hope your grandkids have the GREATEST Halloween ever. :-)

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  9. Wow. Got my craft for the week and my literary refresher at the same time!

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  10. Love the bells and crow and the Edgar Allen Poe reflection! Thanks for sharing on the Blog Hop Blitz!

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  11. What a clever Halloween decoration! Never would have thought of bells, but it works with the Poe tie-in.

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  12. Ooooo, wonderfully chilling AND literary! Those Poe Ravens are a perfect accent to the tolling bells:) Just the right amount of creepiness for kids (and me!)!

    Visiting from the Grand Social!

    Love, Joy

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  13. A very fun project that turned out perfect :) And one I haven't seen all over the web too. I have imagined that you are really busy right now with all the Halloween activities and crafts. Have fun tomorrow!

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