Showing posts with label mason jar lights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mason jar lights. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

DIY Painted Luminary Jars For The Holidays


You can make your own luminary jars with acrylic paint and old glass jars - here's how:

First, wash your jars and make sure they are completely clean and dry. You can use any paint colors you like. I like the silhouette effect that you get by using black or dark colored paints.

Regular acrylic paints work great, and it doesn't matter whether you use matte or glossy finish. For more of a textured paint, use relief paint (as shown below) or puffy paint.



To create easy pine trees, use a flat brush and a tapping motion to form branches. It's really easy! Practice on paper first if you've never painted them before.

Once finished, allow to dry. If you like, you can apply a protective coating of Mod Podge on top of your paint layer once it is completely dry.


Add a candle to your jar to use as a luminary, or if you prefer, add a string of small fairy lights.

















Article and images copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2023 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from quaifying purchases.  

by Laura Beth Love at
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Sunday, December 10, 2023

DIY Frosty Christmas Luminary Jar

 




These pretty jars are great to use as luminaries for the holidays and the awesome thing about them is that they are so much fun...and quick to make!

Use any type of glass jar that you may have lying around the house - Mason jars are a popular choice but any old clean glass jar will do.




I first make sure my jar is clean and dry. 

Then I use a wide flat paint brush to apply a generous coating of Modge Podge to the outside of the jar covering one area at a time. 

I work on the jar in thirds, doing about one third of the outer surface at a time because it's just easier to work on it in sections. I use the matte Mod Podge but you can use the gloss if you prefer. 



Next, while the mod podge is wet, sprinkle it with a coating of coarse salt as shown in the photo below.





To create a little window in your jar (which is nice when using candles inside) use a damp paper towel or tissue to wipe a small area of the mod podge and salt away. Once you coat the entire outside of the jar set it aside until completely dry. Here is some more inspiration and ideas to use with this technique:



Option: Use a tinted or colored glass jar.





Option: add some glitter to your salt sprinkle.

If you don't want to use a  lit candle inside of  your jar, small flameless (battery operated) candles or small strings of fairy lights make great options too.




Option: For a thick white effect first paint the jar with white acrylic paint and allow to dry. Then apply the Mod Podge and salt on top of the paint. That's all there is to it! 

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Article and images copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2023 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from quaifying purchases. 

by Laura Beth Love at
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Monday, July 9, 2012

Solar Light Crafts: Ideas & Inspiration!


What is a solar light?
Solar lights are outdoor garden lights that collect and store energy from the sun during the day. The collected energy then powers a light bulb at night.




How do they work?
Solar lights are made up of solar cells, a small battery, and a light bulb. The solar cells transfer and store the sun's energy into the small battery. The battery then powers the light bulb. The result is an energy efficient bulb with bright light. No electricity required. All of the energy that powers the bulb at night comes from the sun during the day. Very cool!

Where can I get me some?
Solar lights are available at most hardware stores and can also be found in the gardening section of Target and Walmart. They cost about $5 each, give or take a buck or two. 


What things can I make with solar lights?
The most popular projects with solar lights have been mason jar lights. These jar lights are wonderful for adding a magical glow to your garden at night. Some folks use them as table centerpieces. They are also popular for use at outdoor weddings.  

How do I make them?
Once you buy your lights, simply remove the top cap part, which houses the cell, battery and bulb. The cap part will usually pop right off the base very easily. Then you can either simply put the cap into your jar (that's it!) or, you can mount the cap to the top of your jar with some adhesive. The thing you need to remember is that the cap's solar cells need sunlight so that they can collect the sun's energy, so if you mount the cap to the top of your jar you will usually have better results. If you just put the cap inside the jar, you may need to occasionally take it out to allow it to charge in direct sunlight. 

What's great about these projects is that they are both easy and inexpensive. But don't stop at mason jars! Solar lights can be used in all different types of containers, and throughout all seasons of the year! Think creatively! How about a plastic Halloween Jack O' Lantern (the kind your  kids use for trick-or-treating), or on the bottles on a bottle tree, or throughout your snowy winter garden? Read on...


Vintage Atlas & Ball glass mason jars with solar light by usedandabused via Etsy



Here's a great DIY solar lamp tutorial from Creative Cain Cabin








Add solar lights to hanging baskets...they work in the winter too!

Crystal Birdbath Solar Light
Crystal birdbath with solar light from gardenknicknacks on Etsy
Solarama / solar powered diorama light : Brontosaurus under a tree

Solar powered Brontosaurus light by Solarama via Etsy
Old electric insulator with solar light from SomewhereElseFarm


Hanging jar solar lights by usedandabused via Etsy




iron planter outdoor solar lantern
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Pretty hand painted solar light jars by SwirlyShirley via Etsy

Decorate jars for different holidays or seasons




 Simply put your solar light jars inside plastic trick or treat pumpkins and hang!


Cute plastic trick-or-treat Jack O' Lanterns with solar lights. Idea from Pipkin House


 Here are some ideas for creative containers for solar lights:
 Mason jars and canning jars
Painted, decoupaged, or decorated jars
Decoupage ideas: tissue paper, old sheet music, book pages, newspaper, maps, family photos printed from computer
Jars decorated for the different holidays or seasons
 Bottles - both glass and plastic, vintage or new
Decorative birdhouses
Wire bird cages
Paper lanterns
Paper luminaries
Plastic Halloween Jack O' Lanterns
Inside glass garden art

What do you think?
How would you use them?

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Check out my related blog post: 
Upcycled: New Uses For Old Chairs





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Have a great week!
Laura
Article and images copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2019 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author.
by Laura Beth Love at
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