Donna, Wooden dowels. I would take post hole diggers, dig a hole, take one bag of concrete. Pour the concrete around a 4" x 4" post in the hole you dug. The next day- Take a drill bit the size of the wooden dowel thickness and drill holes for your dowel branches. You can use screws with closed hoop ends (eye screws). Rope, shoe string leather, or wire your bottles to the eye screws on the branches. I also would polyurethan the entire wooden structure before hanging the bottles. I believe the open mouth up was the original way that a bottle tree was meant to be hung. They were meant to ward off evil spirits. The scary sound of the wind over the mouth of a bottle would certainly do that. The different depths of rain in the bottles will make the notes vary and it will become what is called a wind organ. My concern would be that the bottles would become mosquito breeding beds and the bottles may get water stains and other bugs on the inside. (??????) I'm speculating. I have considered this for my own garden, so I've thought about it a lot. Hope something here helps. I cant wait to see your bottle collection!!!!! Susie

For drilling glass use a glass or ceramic drill bit and use plenty of H2O. You can use a cutting oil or 3-in-1 oil as well but I do not like the nasty smell much and it is a bit expensive. I usually use a drill press because it keeps the piece I'm drilling very steady and the drill weight alone is enough pressure to move the bit downward on it's own with out to much pressure. Hand drilling I use a vice to hold the item I'm working on and again let the weight of the drill be the downward pressure. Drill at a slow speed for maximum effect without spraying glass particles and heating the glass. For cups and shallow glass or ceramic pieces I drill from the inside and partialy fill the container with water. If you need a large hole sometimes it is best to use a smaller bit and after getting a starter hole graduate the size of the bit up until you have achieved the size you want. Especially if you are drilling on a curved surface. I usually use a polishing wheel on the edges of the hole to take off the sharp edge and smooth away any "chips". I've learned PATIENCE is a must in drilling holes in glass or ceramic. CT

Well it's finally finished. Dh is an ale drinker, but he discovered Bud's new platinum brew in blue bottles isn't bad, so he contributed quite a few. Sandi, I bought a couple Ty Nant bottles of water. The labels on the Saratoga Springs were engraved on the bottle. I wanted removable labels. Thanks again to everyone for the help!

I guess everyone is bottled-up. tj