You've put them to good (re)use. Whatever they were/are.

tj

Staves are the wooden side pieces. These are the bands that hold the staves in place. But that is really beside the point. I love what you have done with them, both as a decorative element and as a creative use of material that someone else was throwing out. I did something similar with a pair of metal rims from a pair of wooden wheels after the wood had rotted and wish I had a third one since I like the aesthetics of yours better. I drilled holes top and bottom and ran a piece of slim iron bar up the center. That holds the rims together but also allows me to anchor it into the soil. You may or may not like the idea of the rod up the center, but if not, using a long screw on the bottom might give you a spike to anchor it into the ground. I think I might have a photo of mine. I will see if I can find it.

Oh my gosh, I feel so silly! Thank you for the correction NHBabs. Your idea of a metal rod through would be perfect. I've been trying to figure out if I am going to drill a hole then use maybe a bolt with a finial of some sort on top. But the long rod would be useful for anchoring. As you can see, anchoring was a challenge and had to be accomplished with some rocks. Please add picture if you can find one. I wish I could update the title of my post to correct my mistake, but Houzz will only let you edit posts not the original top post.

I remember where I got the barrel rims. We went to an estate sale. We were standing outside the house next door lamenting that there was nothing good at the sale. I looked down and in this big pile of leaves and yard debris were these beautiful rusty red barrel rims. In the trash! Saved the day on that one! Free stuff is the best!

I do wish titles could be edited, but it really isn’t important. I am just a bit of a word nerd.

This is an old photo and it now doesn't have the netting since the voles ate these clematis. I still need to find a topper I like. It is pretty well hidden much of the year now since shrubs have grown up around it.

Absolutely love it! I really appreciate the picture. I think mine needs a rod too!

This is a great idea! Looks good in the winter and am sure it will be great when things are blooming all around it.

love it!! We make pumkins and other things with the bands from the wagon wheels I had defining the back of my gardens for years. When they finally bit the dust I couldn't let go.

arcy_gw, I love your re-used barrel bands and wagon wheels! The way you have them they are not "too much" if you know what I mean. I love the way you have them amongst the large greenery. They are just perfect! Thank you for sharing.

Oh and the picture with the snow on the one orb is awesome! I really want to get mine drilled so they will stay in an orb shape like that!

Thank you popmama, I only wish they were still there. That is a "before" picture. We found them under all the vines and weeds that had control of our property when we bought it. They were well over 100 years old but only lasted 15 after I uncovered, drug and planted them. LOL Here is another "before" where the molecule sits now. My kids found it out exploring our first day in the house. It was less than 30 feet from my kitchen window.

I have a couple of the barrel bands in my stash but haven't completely decided what to do with them. I like what you did with yours though.

I live in wine country and the barrel bands are used frequently to make wonderful yard decor including hanging lamps