When it comes to glass jars, I have a weakness…I just can’t throw them away! When jam comes to an end, or pickles are all gone, I save my jars for something useful. Well, here is a craft that puts those jars to great use! These adorable little lanterns are really easy to make. Decorate them to match a party, a shower, or just simply to add a little of your personal style to a room in your home. Fill them with candles, tea lights, or fresh flowers picked from your garden, and they are sure to brighten any occasion!

Supplies you will need:

  • Jars, any size! They can be as small as a glass baby-food jar, to as big as a blue mason jar.
  • Florist wire
  • Tape
  • Embellishments (twine, ribbon, buttons, etc.)

Directions:

  1. Determine how long you would like your handle to be. If you are using it for flowers, a longer handle is best. After you have decided how long, add at least 2 inches to that size. Loosely bend the wire down the middle and tape one end down on one side of the jar below the rim and lid ribs, and the other end of the wire on the other side of the jar, also below the rim and the lid ribs. Each side should go past the rim and ribs at least 1 inch on both sides.
  2. Take a really long piece of wire—long enough to wrap multiple times around the rim of the jar. Holding one end of the wire with your thumb pressed against the rim, begin wrapping the wire around the rim multiple times, making sure to go over the two wires you have taped down. The 1 inch extra should hang lower than the wrapped wire (so basically you will wrap the wire above the tape). You will want to have at least 4 rows of wire wrapped around the rim. To finish it off, twist it together with the beginning end of the wire that you were pressing with your thumb. Twist multiple times, until it is secure.
  3. Now, focus on one side of your jar. That extra inch of wire you had taped down can now be bent upwards, towards the handle, and twisted around the handle. Twist it as tightly as you can because this is what will secure it while it’s hanging. After you have finished one side, move to the other side and finish that one, doing the same thing.
  4. Here’s the fun part…Decorate your lantern! Add twine, ribbon, rolled roses, bows, buttons, whatever you would like! Or just keep your jar plain. Either way, they look beautiful once you have filled them with whatever you choose.

Now hang them! In a tree, on a knob, in a window, or string them across a patio. The list is endless!