The garden bells turned out to be quite simple to make, it was just a lot of trial and error at first. I'll see how they handle being outdoors, I might find more errors!

Here's how I made them:

The bell - all the bells, except for the flat top one, are made from glass lamp parts. I'm sure you've seen the glass lamps in the TS. When you take them apart you usually have at least two pieces and often three. I used the center bell shaped piece, the end/supporting pieces work I worked into totems. The flat topped bell is the chimney from a hurricane style candle holder. Whatever you use for the bell, be sure it is heavy. Lightweight glass doesn't sound as pretty or hold up to repeated banging from the clapper.

The clapper- a wooden doll's head from the craft store. I use the a doll's head because it was predrilled, all I had to do was drill through the rest of the way. Be sure to hang flat part down so it won't hold or catch water. I gave mine two coats of spar varnish after drilling.

The wind catcher - is made of red oak because that's what I could find. I found 1/2"w. by 3'l. pieces of red oak lumber at Home Depot. For visual balance, I made the catchers as long as the bell itself but do what looks best to you. I used a paper pattern to decide on shape and length BEFORE cutting into the nice wood. I used a jig saw, file, sandpaper and drill for shaping and finishing. All catchers have two coats of spar varnish. Whatever you use for a wind catcher be sure that it has some weight to it, wind catchers that are too light just blow around.

I used jack chain for hanging the clapper and wind catcher; it's inexpensive, lightweight, strong, easy to work with and to find. The wood pieces are attached to the jack chain with copper wire. I used copper for two reasons,1. I already had some on hand, and 2. it inhibits mold and mildew growth. It doesn't stop it, just inhibits it.

Use what works for you.

The bell hanger assembly - has 4 parts to it, an "S" hook, two welded rings and a large rubber/neoprene washer. I wanted a hanger that would allow the bell to move some in the wind. I was concerned that a rigid assembly might increase the breakage factor, remember the bells are made of glass.I also wanted something that was simple to put together and maintain so here's what I came up with. It's easiest to take the glass bell with you to the hardware store when you're buying the hanger pieces. It's also fun seeing people's expression when you explain what you're doing!

1. Using the top opening of the bell as your size guide purchase a WELDED ring larger that the opening. The easiest way to do this is to take the bell with you to the hardware store. Be sure the ring won't get stuck in the opening yet it's not so large that it won't fit in the top of the bell. You want the bell to wobble on it. This ring will carry the bell and is the attachment point for the clapper chain.

2. Find an "S" hook that will fit through the top bell opening with about 1" or the top loop showing above the bell when the hook wnd the interior welded ring are hooked together. I can't tell you exactly what size of "S" you need,it all depends on the shape of the glass and the size of the ring. Be sure it's an "S" hook you can work with pliers! Don't buy, like I did, an "S" that's used for repairing chain. Duh! I've had best luck with the prepackaged "S" hooks, not the loose ones.

3.Purchase a LARGE rubber/neoprene washer that will fit over the "S" hook and fit between the carrier ring and the wall of the bell. This washer will protect the glass from the metal ring.

4.Find another ring for your top hanger ring. Be sure it's large enough to not fall through the top opening of the bell. Don't attach the ring to the "S" hook yet!

Hanger assembly instructions:

Open one side of the "S" hook just enough to allow the carrier ring to be slipped on.Close the "S" hook.

Work and wiggle the large rubber washer down over the top of the "S" hook until it rests on top of the carrier ring.

Attach whatever chain or cord you're using to hold the clapper and windcatcher to the carrier ring. Don't worry about cutting it to length right now. The bell has to be assembled and hanging up before you can determine where the clapper should hang.

You have a choice with the next step. Either open the other end of the "S" hook enough to allow the hanging ring to slip in - but don't put the ring in yet, or leave the hook closed. I recommend opening it now. Either way, insert the "S" hook/washer/carrier ring assembly through the opening from the inside of the bell so that you can hold the partially assembled bell up by the "S" hook. Attach the hanging ring and close the hook.You'll probably need two pairs of pliers to close the ring and be careful! You're working with glass!

You should now be able to hang up your clapperless bell.

With the bell hanging, attach the clapper so that it strikes the bottom rim of the bell.

With the bell hanging, attach the windcatcher. The distance of the windcatcher from the bell is just a matter of what pleases you. I like to hang mine twice the length of the bell. Experiment with it. Keep in mind if the catcher is either too far from or too close to the bell it won't ring very well.

The bell top - I didn't want to leave the large opening completely exposed. I cut flashing into individual two lobed "petals" and GE'ed them, slightly overlapping, around the top. I left room for the hanging assembly and bell to move in the wind. The top is partially open but I hope the "petals" will keep most of the leaves, pine needles and rain out. I didn't want to close the top opening completely and not allow air to circulate.

Be sure to hang the bell where it won't bang into something and hang it over a soft surface just in case it comes down!

I know this is a lot of words, I do better with pictures myself. I'm on the lookout for more lamps to "convert", If anyone is interested, I'll try to make a step-by-step photo explanation.

Confusion or questions?