This is one of those ideas that seemed like a really simple one UNTIL I started working on it. It actually turned out to be a bit harder than I anticipated…but in the end I was very happy with the results. So I hope you will hang in with me while I attempt to show you how to make one of these fun mason jar luminaries.
I’ve been wanting to do something like this all summer long. Just haven’t found the time. But when I saw these solar garden lights on clearance for .97 cents each, I couldn’t resist.
It was time to take action! Better late than never right? Besides, these will be just as enjoyable on cool autumn evenings as hot summer nights. 🙂
The reason my seemingly simple project turned out to be more complicated than I anticipated centered around the fact that the size of the light was smaller than I anticipated and didn’t “fit” the mason jar opening. Somehow I had to come up with a way to connect the light to the top of the jar without covering up the little solar panel on top OR the light on the bottom.
After searching and searching…I found a tip on The Happier Homemaker that at least got me pointed in the right direction. She mentioned using paper clips to suspend the light from the rim of the jar. But that’s about as much detail as there was. I was on my own after that.
After a few different configurations…here is what I came up with.
You’ll need 3 paper clips, and then you’ll want to shape them so they each end up like this.
Then you’re going to use those paper clips to suspend and balance the light on the rim of the jar. Stick one end of the paper clip into the light (you might have to loosen the screws a little bit.) Use all three and space them evenly around the edge.
Turn over and place light inside the jar, with wires hanging over the edge.
Yay!! You did it! The hardest part is over. 🙂
Just a few more steps and you’re done.
Put the ring on over the wires. This might take a little “persuasion” from your hammer. Just a few light taps should do it. Then bend the exposed wire the best you can up under the bottom edge of the lid.
At this point you can wrap with some ribbon, or some burlap or a length of fabric to cover the exposed wires. I decided to wrap mine with jute. Super easy, no glue (or anything else) required, and all the wire is completely covered!
Now set your jars in a sunny spot and wait for darkness to fall.
Then bask in the glow of your efforts. Now wasn’t that worth it? 🙂
