It’s my favorite time of the month: the International Bloggers Club Challenge, when I join fellow blogging friends for a little creative fun. This month’s theme is crafting with household items, and I chose jars. In this post I’ll show how easy it is to turn everyday glass jars into charming beach-inspired mason jar lanterns for indoor or outdoor use.
If you’re new here: the International Bloggers Club Challenge is a monthly series where bloggers from around the world share projects that highlight how we craft and repurpose in our own corners of the globe. Past themes have included tin can projects and outdoor DIY creations, and this month we’re focusing on items you can find around the house.
What you’ll learn
How to transform ordinary glass jars into attractive, sea‑inspired lanterns that work equally well hung from a hook or set on a table.
DIY Mason Jar Lanterns
Living in Greece, jars are everywhere—honey, marmalade, jams—so I always have a stash of them. Instead of simply using them for storage this time, I created lanterns that add a relaxed, coastal touch to our patio. These are simple, low‑cost, and perfect for evenings on the balcony or to brighten up a garden table.
Materials Needed
- 2 glass jars (mason jars or recycled food jars)
- Approximately 1 yard / 1 meter of craft wire per jar
- Pliers for bending and cutting the wire
- Small pebbles, sand, or decorative stones for weight and texture
- Tea lights (real or battery-operated)
- Craft paint (optional, for coordinating the tea light lids or stones)
How to Make Mason Jar Lanterns
Follow these quick steps to make a sturdy wire handle and frame that sits on the jar’s rim.
1. Using the pliers, bend one end of the wire to form a small loop about half an inch across. This becomes the anchor point for the handle.
2. Form a circular band with the wire and thread the other end through the loop you made. Close the loop with the pliers so the circle holds together. The circle should fit snugly around the outer rim of the jar.
3. Pull the remaining wire in the opposite direction and create a second circle around the rim. This adds stability and gives the handle something solid to attach to.
4. Pass the free end of the wire through the first loop and pull it up to form a handle that arches above the jar and returns down to the opposite side of the rim.
5. Secure the free end by looping it down and hooking or wrapping it around the second band of wire on the other side. Use your pliers to tighten any loose ends so there are no sharp points exposed.
6. Add a base layer of pebbles or sand, then place a tea light on top. Battery-operated tea lights work well if you’ll hang the jars in breezy spots or want a safer option around children or pets.
These lanterns can be hung from hooks, shepherd’s crooks, or tree branches, or simply set on tables or steps as decorative accents. I didn’t fuss about making the wire perfectly uniform—slightly imperfect, handmade details add charm.
For a more coastal look, use sand instead of pebbles and tuck in a few tiny shells. I also painted a few tea light lids to match the stones—this simple touch only takes a few seconds and elevates the overall look.
These lanterns make a lovely addition to balconies, patios, porches, and even indoor corners where you want a soft glow. They’re an easy way to repurpose jars you already have and create ambience without spending much time or money.
I hope this simple tutorial inspires you to repurpose jars into pretty, functional lanterns. They’re perfect for summer evenings, dinner parties, or as handmade gifts. Do you upcycle jars at home? I’d love to hear your ideas and variations.
