How to Make Mason Jar Lanterns
Learn how to make these easy DIY mason jar lanterns with pebbles. They’re perfect for outdoor patios or even a beach-themed wedding.
It is my favorite time of the month. Yes it is the International Bloggers Club Challenge where I join with some of my fellow bloggin friends for crafting goodness! This month we’re making projects with household items. In my case I have chosen jars and will show you how easy it is to make beach-themed mason jar lanters!
For those of you who are here for the first time, the International Bloggers Club Challenge is a monthly one that I join with my blogger friends who live all over the world. We meet up each month to compare notes and see how we do things in our corner of the world. Last month we did projects with tin cans and the month before we created outdoor projects.
What you’ll learn
How to turn household recyclables (glass jars) into pretty indoor or outdoor decor (lanterns).
DIY Mason Jar Lanterns
Here in Greece almost everything comes in jars. I have lots left over from the tons of honey I buy and from marmalade and jams. I mostly use them for storage but I wanted to do something a little different for this month’s challenge. Since we spend so much time outdoors, these beach-inspired mason jar lanters seemed to be the perfect accent for our patio.
Materials Needed for this Glass Jar Lantern Idea:
- 2 jars
- 2 pieces of wire about a yard/meter each
- pliers
- pebbles
- tea lights
- craft paint (optional)
How to Make Mason Jar Lanterns
With the pliers, take one end of the wire and make a loop. This should be about half an inch.
It should look like a small hook. Kindly ignore my paint splattered hands. I had been doing a little painting beforehand and in my excitement to finish this project… well, a little paint wasn’t gonna stop me.
Form a circle with the wire and passed it through the hook. The hook should then be closed up with the pliers.
The wire circle will then be snuggly placed on the outer rim of the jar like this.
Once you have pulled the wire so that the wire circle is tightly fitted on the outer rim, take your pliers and pull the free end of the wire in the opposite direction. You can then form another circle around the outer rim.
From above we can see the second circle of the wire going in the opposite direction from the first.
Once you have completed the second circle, pass the free end of the wire through the loop. Pull it upwards to create a handle that will come back down on the other side of the jar rim.
The free wire end will be looped downwards and secured on the opposite end of the jar rim. Make a final hook to secure it onto the wires and you are done.
And these are my two lanterns. I did not worry so much about the wire looking perfect. Because as you all know by now “Perfection is Overrated!”
The final step was to add a layer of pebbles and then top off my new mason jar lantern with a tea light candle.
These easy mason jar candles can be hung…
… or they can be placed on a surface. The choice is yours!
I had also made another lantern with tea lights which had quite a different look.
I think these soft pebbles look great next to the driftwood. Another option for the beachy mason jar lanterns would be to use sand for the bottom layer.
I painted my tea lights in a color to coordinate with the stones. It is a simple and pretty detail that literally takes 5 seconds to do but it gives a nice overall look.
Head over here to see where I have placed these mason jar lanterns on my balcony. And why my fingers were colored blue.
I hope you have enjoyed this simple how-to of repurposing mason jars into tea light lanterns. They make a great addition to any outdoor space. Do you repurpose old jars?
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Mary, these jar lanterns are so Lovely!! I like how you painted the tealights, it adds that special touch. They look wonderful!!
They were really simple to make Keri and you know how much I love simple.
Mary these are so rustic and sweet, I love them! I think they would look great in my backyard and we could bring them down the to beach with us at night to light the way! Fabulous repurpose, as always!
Sounds like a good plan to me Kim. I’ll be right over.
I’m gonna make that!!!!! Thank you so much for the inspiration and tutorial!!
It is super easy Gigi. And if you make a few even better!
Such clear and simple instructions Mary, thanks. I can see me trying this out this summer.
I hope everyone makes them. We can start a repurposing revolution! 😉
These would be perfect for around the pool and I love the idea – thanks for sharing. #ThursdayFavoritethingslinkup
Around the pool or in my case out on the balcony.
Mary, I always wondered how this works with the wires. You have great photos and directions and hopefully I can get around to making something similar. Thank you, my friend!
It is easier than it looks Carol and only takes a few minutes. I hope to see them on the blog soon.
hat a cute and superfast project Mary! I am a jar collector too (we too, buy lots of things packed in jars) but I keep my crochet goodies inside 🙂
Might make these for the summer garden! Thank you for sharing!
Maya that is a great idea for reusing jars. I’m all for reusing things in any way possible!
I recently did a Blue Glass jar with stars for a lantern, I actually like yours better! Really nice job.
I like simple the simpler the better. Thanks for dropping by Janet.
I would love to line our walkway in the backyard with these, plus have a few more for the deck table. Thank you for sharing with us at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope you’re having a great weekend.
Thank you Sandra. I too think the more the better in this case. Enjoy your holiday!
Cute! I have seen these used a lot at weddings here in UT. They are so pretty all lit up! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you Jann I use them every day!!
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday. I wanted to let you know that you are one of my Featured Picks this week. Come check it out at http://www.farmhouse40.com/inspire-me-monday-138
Thank you for the feature Bonbon. It is always a pleasure to be featured on your blog.
I love simple tea lights like this Mary with pebbles or shells from the beach
The easier the better Amber!
Absolutely love this Mary! Pinned! Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go! I’ll be featuring you next week 🙂
Thank you so much Chas. It was such an easy project.
I love this look. It is very beachy! Right in my style! #saturdaysharefest
It most definitely is beachy, one of my favorite looks too.
Oh, I love these! Very pretty and you can put them anywhere in the house or garden.
Exactly Teodora, and the best part is that it took minutes to make them.
I have lots of jars sitting around! Love how easy these are! Thanks for sharing at The Blogger’s Pit Stop! Roseann from This Autoimmune Life
Super easy and it was a fun project for me.
I love reusing jars, I love how you’ve used these.
Simple and effective! 😉
I’m over from InspireMe Linky and I love how easy this beautiful lantern is to make! Thank you for clear instruction!
It was so easy to make and you can make as many as you need!
Your lanterns look so easy to make, Thank you for sharing last week on Oh My Heartsie Girls Friday Features, this week your post is being featured!!
Hope you will stop by and share again. Have a great weekend!
Karren
Thank you so much Karren. I went over and linked up today.
I love this idea so much. I just wrote a post that includes up-cycled jar lights. I would love to link this post to mine so folks would see how to do it.
Happy summer,
Kippi
Thank you Kippi, I would be honored!