With our staycations in full swing and camping trips perhaps our only option to get away, outdoor lighting helps us enjoy those warm summer evenings outdoors. “Those patio lanterns, they were the stars in the sky…” – Kim Mitchell (Watch music video on Youtube here). Here a share a few ideas using recycled jars to make table top lanterns that can be lit with a tea light or LED lights.
The keen eyed among you will notice some cans in the photos too. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to complete the can lanterns for this post but I’ll share them in the next create post.
Peanut butter
For all of the lanterns you will need to start with clean jars and the jar needs to be big enough for you to add a tea light or any LED lights you might be using. To remove the labels from jars, start by soaking them in warm water and peel off as much of the paper and glue as possible. To remove any remaining glue and residue, smear the area with peanut butter and leave for about an hour. Then wipe off the peanut butter with a cloth and wash in soapy water to remove the peanut oil grease. You can also use rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover but I find that peanut butter works better, smells less and is ultimately cheaper. Plus it’s good on toast.
The Diarama Lantern
This lantern has a picture that goes all around the lantern but it has a front section and a back section giving a 3D effect.
In this lantern you will see that the trees form the background and the C Squared characters form the foreground. The flame of the candle sits behind the flames of the campfire to make them appear as if they are flickering.
Getting started
Measure a piece of paper so that it will fit into the jar against the jar wall and go all the way around. Mark any overlap and then remove the paper.
Get creative
Draw your picture onto the paper. The images you want in front should be at the centre and the background at the edges. The picture is just a sketch you will use to help you put your picture onto the jar. Once you are happy with your drawing. Put the paper back in the jar with the picture facing outward.
Fill in the blanks
Out line your design and then fill in the colour. You can use blank to outline as I did. This will give you a more cartoon/graphic effect. Alternatively, use the same colour to outline and fill. It’s best to leave the majority of the glass clear, particularly at the front, so the background can show through.
I used acrylic paint pens. You could use normal acrylic paint and a brush, permanent markers, model paint or anything that will stick to the glass. It should be waterproof if you are using the lantern outside or you will need to coat it with a sealant.
I filled the bottom of the lantern with soil as it fit with my camping theme. You can use whatever fits with your theme.
Safety Note!
When putting a base under your candle or any other decorative fill inside the jar, ensure it is not flammable and can withstand the amount of heat generated by the candle. Any flammable items should not be allowed to come into contact with the flame but heat alone can also cause damage. As a teenager I melted a tealight shaped dip into the top of a TV because the tealight wasn’t in a holder and the heat from the hot wax transferred to the TV casing.
The safest option is to use LED tealights or string lights instead of a live flame. I’m just still working my way through tealights from my wedding 10 years ago!
Rustic Cabin Lantern
This one is mostly a collection of random things I have collected for a “craft project”. Yes, I hoard things in the name of craft. I should probably have a good clear out but when I manage to use things in a project I feel vindicated and the cycle continues.
I felt the natural colours and the stags head invoke a rustic hunting cabin sort of vibe, hence the name.
Note that the tealight is raised up in this one so it doesn’t come into contact with the flammable wood shavings in the bottom of the jar.
Wind it up
You are correct, that is a different jar in the photo. I forgot to take pictures originally. It’s hard to remember sometimes when you are mid-creation.
Decide where the back of the lantern in going to be. Put a dab of glue and secure the end of the cord. I’m using cotton crochet thread. You could use string, wool, raffia, wire or any other fine cord that can be wrapped around the jar.
Once the end is secure – the glue needs to be fast drying – a glue gun is ideal for this. Wrap the cord tightly around the jar pushing it down so there are no gaps and being careful not to cross over the cord. You can add additional glue every so often to help hold it in place.
Once completed, put a final dab of glue and then cut the cord.
Hang on
If you want to make the hanger, watch this short video from Pinterest below. You will need approximately 7-8 times the height of your jar in string to get a useful handle.
Finishing touchs
I finished my lantern by adding the stags head which was saved from a bottle of scotch whiskey, adding wood shavings (pencil sharpenings) to the bottom and constructing the tea light holder from so golf tees (got them in a gift, I don’t golf) and copper wire I picked up when out walking one day. The base is cardboard and is purely to stabilise the structure.
Depending on the look you are going for you could use twigs, pebbles, shells, sequins, feathers or glitter to decorate your jar. An upturned, empty tealight case, bottle top or smaller jar could act as your platform for your tea light.
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Inner Peace Lantern
The way this lantern evolved suprised me. It wasn’t what I had in mind at the start. I started by experimenting with some stencils that came with the acrylic paint pens. The stenciling went awry and I almost took all the paint off but at the last minute I thought I would try and save it. I’m very pleased I did, I love the result.
Stencil
I used a pre-made stencil but if you don’t have any stencils you could make your own. Have a colouring book? Use a page and cut out the shapes to make a stencil. You can also trace a pattern or draw something then cut it out.
Tape the stencil to the jar. Ensure the stencil it tight against the jar and level top to bottom. Carefully paint in the cut outs. I recommend starting in the middle and working out. I did it the opposite way and realised my mistake. It’s also best to let sections dry before working on the next. Use acrylic paint pens, paint and brush or permanent markers.
For a different effect you cut out coloured pieces of paper and stick them on in the pattern instead of stenciling.
Happy accident
As you can see in the second picture here, the middle, orange lines ran and bled over the light purple. I removed this using a craft knife, rubbing alcohol and a paint brush and then hand drew the lines in. This was when I was inspired to add the Sanskrit for peace, specifically inner peace. This inspired me further to add items to the jar that would make me feel relaxed.
The smell of relaxation
I added some glass pebbles to compliment the accent glitter on the paint and form a base for the other items:
- Sea shells – the sound of waves and being at a remote isolated beach is relaxing
- Dried lavender – the smell is calming and relaxing
- Dried hops – the smell is calming and relaxing
Because I was adding dried flowers I had to separate the candle from the dried items so I placed a glass tealight holder in the neck. This also acts as a stopper to keep the scent in so you have to lift it out to smell the lavendar and hops. I plan to LED lights in there in the future.
Light it up
Now your lanterns are complete you can light up your patio and chill out in the evening after the sun goes down. Hang onto your jar lids. You can pop them on when the lantern is not in use to stop dust and bugs getting in there. Be sure to place your lanterns on a stable surface in a place they won’t be easily knocked over by pets, children or adults.
Have fun out doors but be responsible and maintain proper social distancing. We’re not out of the woods yet.
Finally, remember to stay safe and always be creative.
Love them