The Easy-To-Make Decor That Gives Any Tree In Your Yard A Gorgeous, Sparkly Upgrade

If you've ever taken a road trip through the United States, you may have noticed that different regions decorate their trees differently. Some areas plant fruiting trees, while other areas refuse. In areas like the South or Appalachia, it is tradition to hang glass bottles in the trees. Across the country, bells and wind chimes are hung for beauty and music. You can even craft your own beautiful DIY bell chains for your trees, to catch the sun's sparkle and bring song to your yard.

Historically, bells were made with iron and believed to dispel evil spirits. They became common symbols of protection, warning, and even worship. There are many outdoor decorations with hidden meanings like this. Today, bells are found above doorways and in holiday displays. They can be used to call attention or simply blow in the wind to make music.

This DIY may even keep critters out of your yard, while it takes beautiful brightly colored beads and joins them with bells to create a sparkly colorful display of ringing for your eyes and ears. Essentially, you'll craft your own wind chimes to dangle from your trees.

Starting off, you need bead-stringing wire. It has to be strong enough to hold the bell, but thin enough to fit through the holes in your beads twice. You will also need decorative beads, crimp beads, and small livestock bells. Glass beads and chandelier crystals will sparkle in the sunlight. A clasp, like this Metal Rectangular Hinged Closure from Michael's, may also be beneficial to connect the chain to the tree.

Measure your wire to double the length you would like your chain to be and fold it in half. Loop the fold through the handle of your bell and knot the wire. Add a crimp bead with pliers to secure the knot in place. From here, thread both wires through any beads you like. Once you reach the top of the chain, you'll add two crimp beads and attach the excess wire to any clasp before securing.

You could attach your beaded bells to your tree in one of several ways. Wrap them along branches to decorate your bare tree in the leafless months. Or secure them to the branches throughout, dangling like a homemade weeping willow. Or you could hang only a couple, to sparkle and blow in the wind, and maybe even clan together, like a wind chime. Perhaps this DIY even inspires you to craft your own wind chime to complement your bells.