My Creativity Blog

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Soothing Slate Fountain

As mild streams of water flow through the tabletop fountain in our most intimate indoor spaces, they create tranquility and soothing serenity.   The mild splashing sounds of water refresh our minds adding a gentle conversation to our indoor surroundings.

In addition to creating calm and soothing indoor spaces, tabletop fountains are known for their feng shui properties. Feng shui is an ancient science of placement so as to maximize to flow of energy within our indoors.  According to Feng Shui theory, tabletop fountains  provide positive energy to our spaces and enhance the quality of air that we breathe on a day-to-day basis.

Here’s a simple and easy-to-implement guide on how to design a soothing hanging slate fountain.

Things you would need:

• Submersible pump with an opening spout that fits a flexible plastic tubing of 16 mm diameter.

• Flexible plastic tubing of 16mm diameter.

• 10” right copper pipe

• A copper elbow and copper end cap that fits the pipe

• 16 gauge copper wire

• A slate pipe 3” wide and 4” long

• River stones

• Fountain Bowl

• Wire cutters

• Electric Drill

• Metal pipe cutter

Begin by setting up the bowl so that the pump is placed in the bowl on one edge of the bowl so that you have more space left to set up rest of the fountain.  Secure the pump on the base of the bowl so it does not tilt because of the weight of slate and copper bars.

Cut the copper pipe in two pieces with metal pipe-cutting tool.   Mark the starter holes in one of the shorter pieces of the pipe and start drilling at the desired position using awl and hammer.  Be careful not to hammer all the way through the copper pipe onto the other side.

Step 1 - The Layout

Lay out all the pieces: the two copper pipes, elbow pipe, and the end cap.  Connect them using glue.  Connect the vertically standing copper pipe with the pump spout so it is snugly and well fitted without any leaks.  When gluing the two copper pipes with the elbow connector pipe, make sure that the drilled holes are on the under side.   Let the glue dry for 3 to 4 hours.

Step 2 - Basic Assembly

Place the assembled pipe fixture in the bowl.  Weigh down the pump with river stones so that it does not tilt because of the added weight of copper pipes.  If you want to use decorative stones, consider looking into sunburst and cobblestones.

Add water to the bowl and turn on the pump.  Verify that the water streams flow out from the under-side of the copper pipe.

Now is the time to attach the slate to the copper pipe.  First, drill two small holes on top of slate piece that are about 2mm in diameter.  Avoid drilling closer to the edge to save the slate from cracking.

Pass the 5” copper wire through one of the slate holes and twist the ends together using a nose pliers making sure that there is enough space for it to go through the copper pipe.   Repeat the same for the second hole in slate.  Now that you have strong support for your slate, go ahead and slide the slate fixture through the copper wire.

Step 3 - The Setup

Turn on the water pump and enjoy the soothing sounds of water as it trickles through the openings in copper pipe through slate onto the bowl.

Step 4 - Attach The Slate

Enjoy your tabletop fountain as it naturally humidifies your indoor spaces and makes your home a more hospitable place for you and your guests.  The serenity of a tabletop fountain in your home builds a quiet, peaceful and harmonious sanctuary for you and connects you the deeper level of spiritual world around you.

References:

To learn more on how to design artistic tabletop fountains, look up ‘Create Your Own Tabletop Fountains’ from Paris Mannion.

Photography Credit: Christine Polomsky