Summer is the time for outdoor entertaining and hanging jar lanterns are a lovely way to light up the patio or yard! I think they would even be a pretty and frugal decoration for an evening wedding. These are very easy to make and can be used as hanging lanterns or sitting on table. You can hang them in a cluster or by themselves. These DIY Hanging Lanterns are so versatile!
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Whether you are entertaining or just want to dress up your outdoor seating areas, painting your mason or other types of jars is a simple and inexpensive way to add a punch of color and personal style. Choose colors to celebrate your favorite sports team, you current decor, or a holiday-red, white, and blue dots or stripes would be a wonderful understated 4th of July decoration.
DIY Hanging Jar Lantern
You will need:
smooth glass jar
tempra paint
clear sealant spray
rubbing alcohol
cotton pad
q tips
dry erase marker (optional)
twine
play sand
tea light (I used a battery operated one)
Directions:
1. Wipe the outside of your jar down well with a pad soaked in alcohol, this will help remove oils, dirt, and fingerprints. Let dry.
2. Decide on a pattern, you can either freehand a simple design like polka dots or do a more elaborate pattern. If you’re nervous about free handing with paint you can draw out your design with a dry erase marker.
3. For polka dots I dipped q tips in one paint color, and dotted the jar all around then continued with each of my other color choices until it was as full as I liked.
4. Allow to dry completely.
5. Spray OUTSIDE with 2-3 coats clear sealant, dry overnight.
6. Add 1”-1 ½” of playing sand to hold your tea light in place.
7.Wrap just under thread of jar 2-3 times with a long length of twine, leaving long ends out on opposite sides-pull tight. Tie each end into a secure knot on the wrapped threads.
Pull up ends and tie together for hanging.
Make one or a dozen to hang around the yard, porch, or patio. I think they would be beautiful hanging from the trees!
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You might also be interested in: DIY Rustic Moss Centerpiece Candleholder
This is such a cute, simple and frugal way to spice up the outdoor areas. Love that even the kiddos could get in on this one. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy
This is so cute! I love the polka dots in beachy colors. These would look great scattered through the trees in my backyard. Thanks for the inspiration!
These are so cute, I bet kids would enjoy painting their own lanterns too! Fab idea
Found you through the Something To Talk About Party! These are really cute! I can just imagine a bunch hanging from tree branches for a casual summer bonfire 🙂
This is such a fabulous idea! This would be perfect for our evening 4th of July activities.
I have a link party that I’m trying to grow. I invite you to share this idea (and a couple of others) at my Grandma Ideas Sharing Time link party at http://grandmaideas.com. My readers would LOVE this idea, too! The party goes from Wednesday through Friday at midnight. I hope to see you there.
All the best,
Nina
such a cute DIY for the 4th!
These are so perfect for get togethers! Just think, it would be just as easy to mix and match jar shapes and sizes from a thrift store for a fun bohemian look!
What a cute idea! I love it! Thanks for sharing your post at the #LivingwithStyle Linky Party! I hope that you will link up again next Wednesday!
Lisa @ http://www.harmonyandhappiness.com
This looks so pretty and summery, and I love, love the idea of using the battery powered tea lights! This is one of my features tomorrow night at Treasure Box Tuesday! Thank you for linking up with us, Jody! 🙂
Hi, Jody ~ I saw your DIY Summer Lantern featured on the Something to Talk About Link Party, and I HAD to come over and get the directions. These are so fun and the colors are perfect for summer! I also read your bio and realized you’re a dachshund lover, too. I have two also, and they are hilarious and so full of attitude and personality! Thanks for sharing and congrats on being featured!
LOVE this! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we love partying with you! Hope to see you next Friday. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
It’s such a cute little lantern. I think I would want to use a real candle, but other than that I really love the whole thing. It’s something simple enough that I can do, but it doesn’t look like a kindergartner made it.