Transform Basic Glass Jars Into Adorable Outdoor Lanterns With This DIY

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Hanging lanterns can be a whimsical way to add a bit of light to your backyard, perfect for those long summer evenings when garden parties and barbecues drag on for hours. While you can certainly buy these lanterns from garden centers or online retailers, one clever crafter figured out how to make them herself. In her DIY video, YouTuber @TwirlCraftStudio showed viewers how to make an adorable hanging lantern out of a basic glass jar and some copper wire, creating a charming outdoor accent with room for personal touches.

While the core components of this DIY are pretty basic, it does require some more specialized tools that you may not already have around the house. The materials list includes 12- and 20-gauge copper wire, a narrow cylindrical object like a wooden spoon, an old Mason jar you'd like to upcycle, some fairy lights, flat-nose pliers, wire cutters or mini bolt cutters, and, for decoration, some chandelier beads. This list may seem daunting, but the DIY itself is relatively straightforward and can easily fit into a weekend afternoon. Before you begin, check that your jar has no chips or cracks, and choose one with a wide enough opening to make adding the lights easy.

Start by cutting a roughly 65-inch piece of 12-gauge wire. Take your cylindrical object and wrap the wire around it, creating a series of side-by-side loops until you have enough to encircle the opening of your jar, like petals on a flower. Wrap the wire loop chain around the jar's neck, using the flat-nosed pliers to adjust the loops until they sit flat. Then, use the pliers to create a hook at the end of one piece of the wire, which you will hook through the last loop on the opposite end of the chain. You should have a few inches of wire left on the side without the hook, which you can now twist into a large, open spiral, and then fold down so it sits flush with the jar. Finally, take another piece of 12-gauge wire and hook each end through a loop on opposite sides of the jar to create an arch you can suspend it from. Ensure the handle is secure and can support the jar's weight before hanging the lantern.

To decorate your lantern, use 20-gauge wire to attach the chandelier crystals to the loops around the mouth of the jar. These crystals are easy to source from places like Amazon and come in a wide variety of options, from this multicolored assortment to these more traditional clear pendants. You can also add a bit more decorative detail to the handle by wrapping it in more 20-gauge wire. Of course, it wouldn't be a lantern without light, so don't forget to add your string of fairy lights — just make sure they're designed for outdoor use. You can also line the bottom of the jar with decorative pebbles, shells, or moss to add a whimsical touch.