If you have it has bad as I do for mason jars, you will love these easy breezy mason jar lanterns. You can hang ‘em inside or out. You can use ‘em any time of year. And they’re super cheap to make! (You can also use these mason jar lanterns for hanging flower bouquets.)
I got an entire box of antique mason jars at a yard sale for $1. You can also get them at second hand stores. (They sell them at my local Value Village for 69 cents each.)
Here is the Mason Jar Lanterns Tutorial
You will need:
Wire
Pliers
A small candle
Sugar crystals in the colour of your choice.
Wrap wire around the lip of the jar. Make sure it’s beneath the lip so it will stay in place. Snip the wire, leaving enough to secure it properly around the jar.
Use the pliers to make a ‘u’ shape on one end of the wire. Place other end of wire through the ‘u’ . Make another ‘u’ shape with the other end.
Cut a separate 11 inch piece of wire for the handle. Insert the piece under the wire that is around the jar. Twist to secure wire. Repeat with other end of handle.
Make a small bend in the wire that is around the lip so that the handle will stay in place.
Tie ribbon or fishing line (make sure its good and strong!!!!) in desired length to the handle. Pour some sugar crystals into the jar (you can also use sand), then place your candle into the sugar.
Light candle and hang your mason jar lantern.
Here’s what it looks like with blue sugar crystals at night:
They also look lovely sitting on the ground.
Mason jars have come a long way. I remember when my mama and auntie put chowchow and peach preserves in them. Oh and yes we did drink wonderful ice cold tea and lemonade in them also. But now, they are used for so many wonderful design ideas. Thanks for the post.
so gorgeous! the simplicity of it…… so neat! i’m going to do these with shells and sand i’ve collected! great idea!
I’m planning on doing this all the way around the veranda of the enclosed shelter we reserved for our wedding reception. I’ll probably go the extra mile and use all recycled jars – salsa jars, spaghetti sauce jars, pickle jars, you name it – making it a super cheap project. If it’s ok, I’ll probably link this post when I get around to describing the project!