Writing a suspense novel with bamboo in the plot

[star goehrs]

Hi'
My name is Star Goehrs. I'm writing a suspense novel and need your expertise on making bamboo windchimes. I need to know everything from the harvesting of the bamboo, to the preparation and chemical treatment of it, and the tuning process. Also, I was wondering if it was possible to have hand carvings on the chimes? And are there any signitures or marking the artists put on them?
I would appreciate as much of your knowledge as you care to share. Thanks. Star Goehrs

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Star,
Welculm! The info you're requesting is scattered amongst the forums or is still fermenting in our minds, of which it will probably be another lifetime or so till all is devulged... but that's the fun of crafting... discovering something new with bamboo... an ongoing process...
In fact, you've presented a new twist here...
How is the suspense novel related to windchime-making?
Yeah, wind-chimes are a form of suspended animation... so, tell us more... now you have me in suspense!
Mark

[star goehrs]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for your interest in my book. The windchime will be the essential piece of evidence that will lead my hero, Briant to the man who murdered his family. The killer left behind a bamboo chime when he committed the crime a decade ago. Now he is taking new victims and again leaving behind a windchime at each scene. Interesting, is the fact that he's not killing these new victims. Anyway, there will have been the one windchime that was collected as evidence a decade ago, however I want this windchime to have deteriorated over time. I understand that if not chemically treated it may do this. Am I correct? Thanks. Star Goehrs

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Star,
Ahh the mystery unfolds...
Yes, out in the elements, bamboo will dry out, bleach, crack, split, encrust with moss and algaes if it's humid
...infact, Mark Mortimer's photos...
Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon' fence... in shade
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/2/thumbs/31henonis8yrsold2.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=292)

...and
Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon' fence ... in sun
http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/data/2/thumbs/31henonis8yrsold.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/workshop/showphoto.php?photo=291)

...are excellent examples showing bamboo ageing under different environmental conditions.
But it's often not the bamboo, but the cordage that's holding
the bamboo that can deteriorate first, causing the windchimes to fall apart.
...or a split at the hole where the chimes are threaded, causing the chime to slip out.

Mark