Wynette, Just drill a hole in top for the wire to go through and mount a metal 3 or 4" box for the ceramic receptacle to to screw onto..gotcha. And then, did you simply spraipaint the inside? Also, can you give details on the top - what size is the hole for the light, I'm guessing the size of a tennis ball? And - do you use a regular "brooder type" light? Also, do you put anything - such as cheesecloth - over the hole to sort of diffuse the light a bit?
This also has two pieces of 2x4 welded wire that hangs on the front. Just use a small steeple as a hinge and you can open when the bird settles down