{"id":10,"date":"2026-05-14T21:25:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T21:25:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/?page_id=10"},"modified":"2026-07-21T21:35:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T04:35:34","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/?page_id=10","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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What are cross-strung harps?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cross-strung harps are chromatic harps that have two courses of strings that cross in the middle of the playing space.\u00a0 One set is the standard string configuration of a single course harp, which is the white keys\/notes of a piano.\u00a0 The second set of strings is the notes of the black keys of a piano, thus making all of the notes in five octaves available to the harper without having to use sharping levers.\u00a0 Since the strings cross in the middle, all of the strings are playable from either side of the harp.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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When will my harp or kantele be finished?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dr. Blessley will keep you informed on the progress of your harp as he builds it (by hand).\u00a0 There are\u00a0 many variables that affect the time necessary to complete your harp or kantele.\u00a0 In general, it takes several months to make a harp, and kanteles are quicker\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What are cross-strung harps?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cross-strung harps are chromatic harps that have two courses of strings that cross in the middle of the playing space.\u00a0 One set is the standard string configuration of a single course harp, which is the white keys\/notes of a piano.\u00a0 The second set of strings is the notes of the black keys of a piano, thus making all of the notes in five octaves available to the harper without having to use sharping levers.\u00a0 Since the strings cross in the middle, all of the strings are playable from either side of the harp.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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What are your harps and kanteles made from?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Blessley Instruments’ harps are made from the finest hardwoods available.\u00a0 The harps are generally made from just one slab of wood, and the back and sides of the soundbox are “bookmatched” for beautiful and unique grain patterns.\u00a0 We use “Steinway Grade” Sitka Spruce for the soundboards.\u00a0 The Finnish kanteles are made of Alder wood, as well as other North American hardwoods that are used in our harps.\u00a0 We currently make instruments with:\u00a0 cherry, black walnut, maple, and mahogany; and we have also used bubinga and purple heart wood in the past.\u00a0 \u00a0Extra lightweight models have also been made on request from Aircraft grade plywood, which is strong and lightweight.\u00a0 Our source provides this plywood after it has been x-rayed to check that it does not have voids, and it is insured by Lloyd’s of London.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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How much do harps cost?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The cost of the harps depends upon the model chosen, the type of sharping levers installed, and the type of wood that is used.\u00a0 Extra cost options include a custom wood carving or decorative painting on the harp.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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When will my harp or kantele be finished?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dr. Blessley will keep you informed on the progress of your harp as he builds it (by hand).\u00a0 There are\u00a0 many variables that affect the time necessary to complete your harp or kantele.\u00a0 In general, it takes several months to make a harp, and kanteles are quicker\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What are cross-strung harps?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cross-strung harps are chromatic harps that have two courses of strings that cross in the middle of the playing space.\u00a0 One set is the standard string configuration of a single course harp, which is the white keys\/notes of a piano.\u00a0 The second set of strings is the notes of the black keys of a piano, thus making all of the notes in five octaves available to the harper without having to use sharping levers.\u00a0 Since the strings cross in the middle, all of the strings are playable from either side of the harp.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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What are your harps and kanteles made from?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Blessley Instruments’ harps are made from the finest hardwoods available.\u00a0 The harps are generally made from just one slab of wood, and the back and sides of the soundbox are “bookmatched” for beautiful and unique grain patterns.\u00a0 We use “Steinway Grade” Sitka Spruce for the soundboards.\u00a0 The Finnish kanteles are made of Alder wood, as well as other North American hardwoods that are used in our harps.\u00a0 We currently make instruments with:\u00a0 cherry, black walnut, maple, and mahogany; and we have also used bubinga and purple heart wood in the past.\u00a0 \u00a0Extra lightweight models have also been made on request from Aircraft grade plywood, which is strong and lightweight.\u00a0 Our source provides this plywood after it has been x-rayed to check that it does not have voids, and it is insured by Lloyd’s of London.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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How much do harps cost?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The cost of the harps depends upon the model chosen, the type of sharping levers installed, and the type of wood that is used.\u00a0 Extra cost options include a custom wood carving or decorative painting on the harp.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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When will my harp or kantele be finished?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dr. Blessley will keep you informed on the progress of your harp as he builds it (by hand).\u00a0 There are\u00a0 many variables that affect the time necessary to complete your harp or kantele.\u00a0 In general, it takes several months to make a harp, and kanteles are quicker\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What are cross-strung harps?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cross-strung harps are chromatic harps that have two courses of strings that cross in the middle of the playing space.\u00a0 One set is the standard string configuration of a single course harp, which is the white keys\/notes of a piano.\u00a0 The second set of strings is the notes of the black keys of a piano, thus making all of the notes in five octaves available to the harper without having to use sharping levers.\u00a0 Since the strings cross in the middle, all of the strings are playable from either side of the harp.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

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What We Make<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Blessley Instruments is best known for their custom Celtic and Cross-strung Harps, built in Vancouver, WA.\u00a0\u00a0 For the Blessleys, instrument building has evolved from making only square backed harps to making stave backed harps, the specialty of custom designed cross-strung harps of five octaves, and their newest creations,\u00a0 Finnish kanteles \u2013 the Finnish National Instrument \u2013 a member of the zither family, that sounds much like a wire strung harp.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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About Us<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Various harpers, both famous and non-professional, have said that Blessley harps have \u201cexcellent voice throughout the full range.\u201d We encourage you to listen and compare.\u00a0 Sound sample links are located on the harp models pages.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Blessley Instruments produces only a few of their custom crafted harps per year, the average being 1-3 instruments. Most are made-to-order for individual harpers.\u00a0 Kanteles can be made more quickly due to their size.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

They\u2019d love to talk to you about your dream harp when you\u2019re ready for a Blessley Instrument.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Contact Mark (360) 910-1112 or Valerie Blessley (360) 600-8477 or email drblessley@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0valerie.blessley@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Mailing Address:\u00a0 10013 NE Hazel Dell Ave. #148, Vancouver, WA, USA 98685\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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What are your harps and kanteles made from?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Blessley Instruments’ harps are made from the finest hardwoods available.\u00a0 The harps are generally made from just one slab of wood, and the back and sides of the soundbox are “bookmatched” for beautiful and unique grain patterns.\u00a0 We use “Steinway Grade” Sitka Spruce for the soundboards.\u00a0 The Finnish kanteles are made of Alder wood, as well as other North American hardwoods that are used in our harps.\u00a0 We currently make instruments with:\u00a0 cherry, black walnut, maple, and mahogany; and we have also used bubinga and purple heart wood in the past.\u00a0 \u00a0Extra lightweight models have also been made on request from Aircraft grade plywood, which is strong and lightweight.\u00a0 Our source provides this plywood after it has been x-rayed to check that it does not have voids, and it is insured by Lloyd’s of London.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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How much do harps cost?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The cost of the harps depends upon the model chosen, the type of sharping levers installed, and the type of wood that is used.\u00a0 Extra cost options include a custom wood carving or decorative painting on the harp.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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When will my harp or kantele be finished?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Dr. Blessley will keep you informed on the progress of your harp as he builds it (by hand).\u00a0 There are\u00a0 many variables that affect the time necessary to complete your harp or kantele.\u00a0 In general, it takes several months to make a harp, and kanteles are quicker\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What are cross-strung harps?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Cross-strung harps are chromatic harps that have two courses of strings that cross in the middle of the playing space.\u00a0 One set is the standard string configuration of a single course harp, which is the white keys\/notes of a piano.\u00a0 The second set of strings is the notes of the black keys of a piano, thus making all of the notes in five octaves available to the harper without having to use sharping levers.\u00a0 Since the strings cross in the middle, all of the strings are playable from either side of the harp.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What are cross-strung harps? Cross-strung harps are chromatic harps that have two courses of strings that cross in the middle of the playing space.\u00a0 One set is the standard string configuration of a single course harp, which is the white keys\/notes of a piano.\u00a0 The second set of strings is the notes of the black […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":131,"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10\/revisions\/131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blessleyinstruments.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}