I’ve always had a soft spot for projects that turn humble, everyday things into something that looks like it came from an old garden shop down a country back road. These heavy textured patio bells do exactly that. With a few cheap woven straw sun hats, cement, and a couple of common household items, you can make bold, bell-shaped garden accents that look weathered, rustic, and wonderfully substantial.
What I like most about this project is that it’s simple enough for a determined beginner, but the finished pieces have real presence on a porch, patio, or tucked into a flower bed. The woven texture from the hats presses right through the cement and leaves behind that lovely rough pattern that reminds me of old stoneware and basketry all at once.
Materials
Instructions
1. Cover your work surface with the plastic drop cloth and set your three plastic bowls upside down, spaced a few inches apart. Lightly rub each bowl with a thin coat of cooking oil so the cement-covered hats release easily later.
2. Put on gloves and a dust mask, then mix the gray cement with water in the bucket until it reaches the texture of thick pancake batter. Stir well so there are no dry pockets, but keep it fluid enough to soak into the woven straw.
3. Dip the first straw hat into the cement mixture and press it down gently so the fibers get fully coated. Lift it out and let the extra cement drip back into the bucket for a few seconds.
4. Drape the coated hat over an upside-down bowl, centering the crown so the brim falls evenly on all sides like a bell. Use your hands to shape soft folds and a natural, rounded drape, then repeat with the other two hats.
5. If you want a hanging loop built in, lay one 4-foot piece of twine across the top center of each hat crown and press it lightly into the wet cement, leaving enough length at both ends to tie later. Add a thin smear of extra cement over the embedded section so it holds firmly.
6. Let the hats dry undisturbed for 24 hours, then check whether they can hold their shape. If the weather is cool or damp, give them another 12 to 24 hours before moving them.
7. Lift each bell form off its bowl and turn it upright carefully. If the edges feel sharp or ragged, smooth them lightly with medium-grit sandpaper.
8. If you did not embed twine, make a small hanging hole near the top of each bell with an awl or screwdriver once the cement is firm but not rock hard. Thread a 4-foot piece of twine through the hole and knot it securely.
9. Cure the bells for another 2 to 3 days in a dry, shaded spot so the cement hardens fully. Mist them very lightly once a day if the air is hot and dry, which helps reduce cracking.
10. Hang the finished patio bells from a pergola, porch hook, fence post, or sturdy tree branch where their weight is safely supported. Group all three together at staggered heights for the most eye-catching display.
Variations & Tips
Different hat shapes: Floppier sun hats give you softer, more romantic bell edges, while tighter woven hats make a cleaner, sturdier form. I usually choose hats with a definite crown so the top of the bell looks nicely rounded.
Heavier finish: For a chunkier, stone-like look, brush on an extra thin coat of cement after the first layer begins to firm up. That second coat can make the texture look even more dramatic.
Color options: Leave the bells natural gray for an old farmstead look, or dry-brush them with a little white, moss green, or soft charcoal outdoor paint after curing. That trick brings out every bit of the woven texture.
Hanging safely: These are decorative and heavier than they look, so always hang them from something solid. I avoid thin hooks or weak branches, especially in windy spots.
Weather wisdom: If rain is in the forecast, move the pieces under cover while they cure. Around here, I’ve learned the hard way that fresh cement and a surprise afternoon shower are poor companions.
Cluster display: Three bells hung together make the biggest statement, but one alone can be lovely by a garden gate or tucked beside a bench. Varying the hanging heights gives them that collected-over-time charm.