Personally I have a soft spot for clocks.  Not only do I have many clocks adorning my home whether it be on the wall or on shelves.  I also repair clocks both antique mechanical clocks as well as battery operated ones.  There is nothing more rewarding than bringing an old or even newer time piece back to life.  One of my favorite style clocks is the ships clock (noted in picture above).  A ships clock sound is distinctive with the chime rods hitting a bell making a beautiful dinging sound on the hour and half hour.  The clock chimes anywhere from one chime to eight chimes.  The chimes not only tell the time, but back in the day the ship clock chimes from these types of clocks would inform crew members when to start there shift and when it has ended.  Crew members had responsibility of manning the helm, trimming sails, keeping a lookout for danger ahead as well as navigation.

BELOW is a table showing how a ships clock bell indicates the time.  The sun and moon would aid the crew into knowing if it was AM or PM.  

click on image to view on Amazon

WALL CLOCKS

Below is on of my favorite wall clocks that I own.  The colors in this clock have many of the nautical colors.  It boasts the colors of the sky, water and earth.  

Here are some other great options to choose from for your living room, den, sun room, bedroom, office or outdoor area.  By clicking on the image below you will be redirected to Amazon.  

click image to view on Amazon

MECHANICAL/KEY WIND CLOCKS

Another option for clocks is the mechanical key wind clock.  These clocks typically run for 8 days before they need to be wound again.  You may decide you want an antique or newer key wind clock.  Either way they provide a nice look for any nautical style theme.  

click image to view on Amazon

CHAIN DRIVEN CLOCKS

Another style clock is a Chain driven clock such as a cuckoo clocks.  As most of you probably know these clock have a loud TIC-TOC as the pendulum sways back and forth.  Most cuckoo clocks will dong the time in two ways one from a hammer clanging on chime rods located on the inside back of the clock, as well as a bird will deploy from the door above the face making a cuckoo cuckoo sound indicating the time.  On the half hour these two mechanism will activate one time only.  To wind these clocks you simple pull the chain when the weights have reached the end of the chains length. There are many types of cuckoo clocks. For example there are  1 day clocks, 8 day clocks, musical clocks that tend to have different figurines that move about on the hour and half hour.   

click on image to view on Amazon ]]> http://knotsandnautical.com/nautical-clocks-more/feed 0 http://knotsandnautical.com/pillows-offer-a-great-way-to-bring-that-nautical-flair-to-any-room http://knotsandnautical.com/pillows-offer-a-great-way-to-bring-that-nautical-flair-to-any-room#respond Tue, 23 Jul 2019 17:59:15 +0000 http://knotsandnautical.com/?p=12792 Add a splash of nautical-ness to any room. The bed room, living room, den, sun room, porch. The ideas are limitless. Pillows offer a great way to bring that nautical flair to any room.  A nautical feel can be playful or elegant, as you will see depicted in the photos below. 

BEDROOMS, I purchased these pillow covers and replaced them with the very dated pillows covers I had previously.  Great purchase.  If you’re a good seamstress you can change your pillow covers and restitch them and/or add a zipper.  If you’re like me and not the best with a sewing machine then look for pillows that have zippers and “whola” unzip, pull out pillows and replace cover(s) with ease.

Click on image to view on Amazon

POOL AREA: Navy blue and white tends to scream nautical. Red and teals, are also an option.

Click on image to view on Amazon

LIVING ROOM – Elegant room with an Arts and Crafts/nautical feel. Obviously our sail boat pillows pull in that nautical flair.  

Click on image to view on Amazon ]]> http://knotsandnautical.com/pillows-offer-a-great-way-to-bring-that-nautical-flair-to-any-room/feed 0 http://knotsandnautical.com/navigate-with-a-sextant-and-or-use-as-decor http://knotsandnautical.com/navigate-with-a-sextant-and-or-use-as-decor#comments Thu, 03 Jan 2019 16:43:40 +0000 http://knotsandnautical.com/?p=11570 MARINE SEXTANT SHIP CELESTIAL NAVIGATIONAL TOOL:

A Sextant is navigational tool that provides the movement and direction of a craft or vehicle.  Sextant’s provide navigation for land, sea, and space.  In the 1600’s or 1700’s, Sir Isaac Newton invented the principle of the reflecting navigation instrument, but never promoted it.   Prior to the Sextant, navigators relied on the sun and stars to determine direction.  The Sextant was the next best thing.  It provided sailors the ability to navigate with accuracy through the water.  Navigators started to use this invention as early as the 1730’s which was developed by John Hadley (1682-1744) and Thomas Godfrey (1704-1749). Today of course most of us rely on GPS systems.  But some do prefer to rely on the old faithful Sextants which working ones are still available today to purchase. There are plastic ones as well as metal ones.   They range from $20.00 to $600.00.  There are also many available for decor only.  Many like it’s nautical beauty to display as artwork or décor. The antique ones certainly make for greater conversational pieces, but some reproductions are beautifully made to fit the bill.

SEXTANTS FOR DECORATION

HOW THE SEXTANT WORKS:

Sextants rely on the sun and planets.  It’s an optical device.  It measures the angel of the horizon and a Celestial object.  It has a telescope that gives you the opportunity to view objects.  Built in is a dimmer depending on if you’re looking at the sun or the moon.  There are two mirrors, the horizon mirrors stands still while the index mirror moves.  One must learn the ability of how to use a sextant, and it just might behoove you to learn, you know, just in case!

WORKING RELIABLE SEXTANTS FOR SALE

SOME DIFFERENT STYLES OF SEXTANTS:

KEEP A JOURNAL OF YOUR ADVENTURES:

My Uncle was an avid sailor.  I have wonderful memories of weekly adventures with him on his 27′ sail boat.  Most of his travels were on Lake Ontario in NY.  One of our ventures was going through Lake Ontario up to Canada.  My funnest memories were manning the sails, steering the boat, checking our path of destination, and saving a bat lost at sea.  He landed on our boat and rested inside one of the sails.  My mother kept a gram cracker box for him to also take cover until we reached land.  My Uncle always kept a log of his destinations and happenings while on a trip.  I still have his log book, and it’s fun to reminisce and read all the places he had been, and things he experienced.  Whether you own a boat or just enjoy nautical items, a log book is great for every day personal use as well.  Some ideas would be, a simple note book, a place to jot down personal things about yourself, a log book to document your family and friends birthdays, phone numbers and addresses.  There are many color and style log books to choose from.  They even look nice just sitting on a desk or night stand.

Rugs complete that finishing touch for your nautical inspired motif.  Coastal rugs are inspired by sand, sea shell fish, Nautical is inspired by anchors, ropes, maps, and lighthouses.  Cottage style rugs that imitate the sky with vivid colors, water themes. Colors range from navy blue, red, aqua, white, beige, and turquoise.

Many styles and shapes of area rugs are available to choose from whether they be round, square, oblong, octagon.  We offer a large selection of indoor/outdoor rugs to choose from.

Rugs help tie in that finishing touch to any room.  Don’t forget a nice welcome mat for your entry way to inspire your them as your friends and family enter into your Nautical themed home.

BEST SELLERS, AREA RUGS

BEST SELLERS, INDOOR/OUTDOOR MATS AND RUGS

BEST SELLERS, KITCHEN RUGS

Hope you enjoyed this post!

The boast of colors, red, white and blue that comes in stylish stripes, anchors, shell fish, accented by the warmth of colors such beige’s and black’s.  Shoes are one of the many items acquired to compliment an outfit, or to add to staples such as handbags, jewelry, hats and more to complete your nautical apparel!

BEST SELLERS

STYLISH NAUTICAL SHOES FOR MEN AND WOMEN

SANDALS:  Ahhh the sandal, who doesn’t love them.  Ok, I’m sure many of you don’t.  They provide a very nautical casual look as well as formal.  Sandals are the oldest style shoe ever worn, seeing as how it dates back around to before BC.   Sandals have been seen on the red carpet, as well as at the beach.  For that casual look, sandals look great with shorts, capri’s or jeans  Some like the trendy look of rolling up their jeans to show off the beauty of their shoe.  Can I just add a big don’t for wearing sandals, leave the socks in the draw.  But hey if you like the look of socks with sandals who are we to judge.  Sandals can be very dressy accented with sequences, high heel soles which add an elegant look.

BEST SELLERS

f

BOAT SHOES:  Boat shoes are trendy, comfortable and stylish for both men and women.   Boat shoes used to only come in neutral colors.  Today they come in a wide variety of colors such as blue, tan, red, black, yellow to mention a few.  For a trendier look they have also gone from two colors to 3 colors.  They come in both canvas and leather, and/or a combination of the two materials.  Boat shoes are truly classic and worn for both casual as well as dress.  They became popular and dressier in the preppy era in the late 80’s and 90’s.  Typically boat shoes are worn without socks.  Rule of thumb is not to wear a boat shoe that is lighter than your pants or shorts.  There is no right or wrong, just letting you know the rule that’s out there.  Boat shoes are a great replacement for either sneakers or loafers.

FLIP FLOPS: Flip Flops are fun and easy to slip on and off.  They are however, the worst offenders when it comes to foot support, so we would not suggest these be worn for a long day on your feet.  Flip Flops are considered casual.  Some restaurants frown down on them.  Flip Flops are most certainly fun and casual for the beach, hanging out with friends or just romping around the house. They are perfect for camping, boating etc., especially when you need to use public facilities for showering and taking care of other personal business.

BEST SELLERS

DECK SNEAKERS: Sneakers have certainly made a big come back.  They are also now a big part of the fashion industry.  Mostly due to sports and hip hop.  The term used is “sneakerheads”.    But sneakers are also comfortable and provide much support.   There are numerous styles and colors available.  They provide good traction while on a boat deck, as well as provide support for your feet and back.  Sneakers are the perfect choice for those who are on their feet all day.  Nothing beats wearing a sneaker while enjoying a walk, running, or for that adventurous hike.

You don’t need to own a boat or live on the water to enjoy that nautical look.  Nautical purses bring about a statement of style.  One can not go wrong with blues, beige’s, reds, stripes, anchors, and shell fish designs to mention a few.

SIZES & STYLES

The sizes and styles are abundant from large to small.  

Tote bags (large leather or cloth handbags with plenty of space provided).  Totes also work well for the business person in you.  Perfect for carrying your laptop or Ipad in style.

Clutches, (small and chic, but large enough for the essentials).  Perfect for using on a cruise vacation or for that out on the town dinner date or evening bash.

Satchels (Typically made of canvas or leather.  Provides a classic tailored look).

Barrel Bag or sometimes called Baguettes  (designed to mimic a baguette).  These purses come in a clutch size and/or shoulder design which are typically designed to carry many things.

Hobos (Come in leather and canvas. They provide the space in order to carry all the essentials you may need for the day). These large bags are perfect for long day outings.  Many also use these as diaper bags with style.  Perfect for a day at the beach.  For beach use, we would recommend a canvas bag for they are waterproof.

Maps make for interesting wall art.  Personally, I think they look great in any room of your home.  Most would probably consider a den or family room.  Many Nautical chart maps are colorful and interesting which provides a nice way to tie in any color scheme you decide to focus on.  They also add texture and interest to a room.

Decorating with maps is inexpensive and fun.

LISTED ARE 14 CREATIVE DO-IT YOURSELF IDEAS TO DECORATE WITH MAPS

• Use it as wall paper – Apply with wall paper paste
• cover a garbage can – Apply using decoupage, once it’s dry, apply a decoupage sealant.
• Wrap around a lamp shade
• Cover books giving your bookshelf a stately feel
• Frame your favorite map and hang it
• Cover a headboard
• Map Spheres
• Re-purpose an old desk or table by covering the surface with maps.
• Decorate draw fronts
• Back Splash in a your kitchen or bathroom – Apply using wall paper paste, once dry, seal with polyurethane.
• Clock
• French doors, cover the glass using maps for privacy
• Hat rack
• Room Divider

click here to see our selection of maps

Dolphins are very intelligent mammals and have the longest memory of any other mammal other than humans.  They can remember the whistle of a dolphin they lived with after 20 years of separation.  They love to have fun and play.  There social bonds are extremely important.  They’re very good at solving problems.   Research has revealed that whales and dolphins not only have the ability to learn as individuals, but they pass on what they’ve learned to other dolphins. This is a rare intelligence in the animal kingdom.  Dolphins are able to recognize themselves in a mirror.  They are known to mourn the loss of a pod member.

REPRODUCTION:

They generally mate in the spring and the fall.  Gestation is 9-17 months.  They generally have only one calf, twins are rare, just as they are in the humans.  The Calf will nurse from it’s mother for up to two years, and stay with her for three to eight years before fending for itself.  Dolphins start communicating from birth.  They’ll make squeaking, whistling noises. A female calf may even return to its mother to raise it’s own calves.

LONGEVITY:

Dolphins live to be 25 to 30 years old, 40 when in captivity.

BEHAVIOR:

Dolphins come up for air every few minutes, some can stay below the surface for 15 minutes.  They generally feed early morning and late afternoon.  They love to play.  Some activities they indulge in is throwing seaweed at each other or carrying objects back and forth.  Many like to breach, breaching is when a dolphin jumps high in the air landing on their backs.  They have been known to approach divers, and/or boaters.  My cousin lives on his boat and has experienced dolphins coming up into the marina.  They really are charming and a pleasure to see.

CHARACTERISTICS:

Most dolphins are grey in color.  There are approximately 40 different species.  As in most of the animal kingdom, males are larger than females as well as heavier.  They have no hair, or sweat glands.  They eat fish, shrimp, jellyfish, squid and sometimes even turtles.  A dolphins skin feels like rubber, but it is slippery and smooth.

SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS:

Swimming with Dolphins, I have not done this yet, but it is on my bucket list.  No excuse now that I live in Florida.  There are many places here that offer this experience.  My mother has however.  She said it was one of the greatest experiences she has ever had.  She tells a story about a woman who was in their group, she was frigid, intimidated and nervous.  One of the dolphins sensed her fear and tried to lighten her up.  It would swim up to her giving her a hand shake, splashing her, rubbing up against her ever so slightly, it swam on his hind tail and let out a laughing sound.  This dolphin would not leave her side until she finally relaxed and started to enjoy the experience. “They just want us to have fun”, my mother said.  There was another gentleman in their group who the instructor gave a command for the dolphin to come up behind him and push him through the water at his feet.  The dolphin refused, instead it went up along side the man and put his fin up under his arm to get a similar affect.  After the session the instructor asked the gentleman if had any medical issues.  He stated he had a bad knee.   My mother could not get over the how these gentle mammals  just want to enjoy life.  She was also in awe of their intuitiveness and healing powers.

Water fountains started out as being something functional.  They were originated to provide water to people.  Today Water fountains bring a sense of beauty and serenity that can help shield unwanted background noise such as road noise. They come in many shapes and sizes.  Made for indoors or outdoors. There are large ones, medium ones, and small ones. Some are made of cast stone, ceramic and/or fiberglass.  Water fountains are used in offices, backyards, pools, ponds, gardens, and in your home.  My dentist has one in his waiting room, it really does help calm the nerves before going under the drill.  If you want to add a sense of tranquility and peace into your life, a fountain is a beautiful and affordable way to achieve that.

This is an example of a pool water fountain feature.  Nothing beats the sound of water swishing, splashing, and moving about.   Not to mention the sparkling glimmer it makes when the sun glistens upon it.

Enhance your living space with a table top fountain.

TIPS on how to keep water fountains clean.

• Place your fountain in the shade or partial shade to avoid algae buildup.
• Be sure your pump is submerged in water
• Use distilled water when possible.
• Clean your water pump by soaking it in diluted white vinegar 50% water to 50% vinegar.
• Clean your fountain at least every 2 months.  Dish soap works well and is safe for animals that may drink out of your fountain.
• Clean the fountain’s tubes.  A tool that works well is pipe cleaners.
• Add algae prevention to your fountain or you can add a cap full of bleach for smaller fountains and 3 teaspoons of bleach for larger fountains.  A third option which would be safest for small animals and birds is adding hydrogen peroxide to your water. The amount depends on the size of your fountain.  Use 1/3 of a 16oz bottle for a  larger fountains and a few cap fulls for smaller fountains.
• Change your fountain’s water at least once a month.
• If you have an outdoor fountain, remove debris such as leaves, dirt and bugs.