Transform Empty Tuna Cans And Glass Jars Into Adorable Backyard Lights

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While tuna cans and empty glass jars are usually destined for the recycling bin, you can easily repurpose them into something stylish with a bit of paint, some twine, and a few other odds and ends. In her YouTube video, creator LanaS DIY demonstrates how to create a charming backyard patio lantern from discarded food packaging: a jar for the body, a tuna can for the stand, and a tiered lid topper. The best part of this creative craft is that the additional parts cost very little. So if you make multiple versions of the lantern to light up your yard, it won't break the bank.

If you want to turn a jar into an outdoor lantern, look for one with plenty of space. Larger ones, such as pickle, honey, or pasta sauce jars, work best. You'll also need an empty tuna can, a mesh produce bag, a few other lids of various sizes, a piece of cardboard, a strip of leather, and a paint sponge. For tools, gather up a pair of scissors, a utility knife, masking tape, and a hot glue gun. You'll also want an enamel, such as FolkArt Multi-Surface Metallic, that works on glass. To light up the lantern, you'll need a battery-operated tea light, like Homemory's LED Votive, that's rated for outdoor use.

To assemble your lantern, start by thoroughly washing and drying both the jar and the can. Next, run two parallel strips of masking tape around the center of your jar. Then, use the paint sponge to apply the metallic paint to the surface above and below it. Apply paint to the mesh bag as well, and set both pieces aside to dry. To create the top of the lantern, cut a cardboard circle to fit inside each of the lids, and glue these into place. Then, glue all three lids together in descending size, and cover them in metallic paint. 

When it's dry, remove the tape from the jar and slide it inside the mesh sleeve, trimming off any excess and gluing it to the bottom to secure it in place. Cover the tuna can in rows of jute twine, then glue it to the bottom of the jar to serve as the lantern stand. Use the utility knife to hollow out a plastic bottle cap to create a ring, then wrap twine around it. Cut a narrow strip of leather, and use it to attach the ring to the top of the lids. Place your tea light inside the lantern, and put the lid back on. 

Once you have the hang of it, make a set of whimsical lantern jars to hang in clusters around your yard. Just make sure they're spaced several inches apart so they don't hit each other in high winds. It's also worth noting that battery-operated tea lights aren't designed for downpours, so keep the set under a covered patio or pergola, or look for lights rated IP65 or higher.