How to Make Lanterns Out of Old Jars

How to Make Lanterns Out of Old Jars

Watch more Great Craft Ideas videos: http://www.howcast.com/videos/197510-How-to-Make-Lanterns-Out-of-Old-Jars

Step 1: Wash and dry
Wash glass jars in hot, soapy water and let them air dry.

Step 2: Make templates
Cut templates out of poster board in decorative shapes such as stars, half-moons, or hearts. Or buy ready-made templates from craft stores.

Step 3: Cut out shapes
Use the templates to outline the shapes on the nonsticky side of removable adhesive paper, and then cut them out.

Step 4: Decorate the jars
Stick your designs onto the outside of the jars.

Step 5: Spray them
Coat the outside of the jars evenly with glass-frosting spray. Let them dry completely. Then, remove the adhesive-paper designs.

Step 6: Add candles
Put a votive candle or tea light inside each jar.

Tip
Nestle the candle in sand or sea salt to keep it stationary.

Step 7: Measure wire for handle
To make hanging lanterns, take a piece of strong wire and measure how much you need for a handle by wrapping the wire around the mouth of the jar, looping it over the top of the jar, and bringing it back down to the mouth of the jar. Clip with wire cutters. Create a small, open-ended loop on each end of the wire with pliers.

Tip
Wire hangers work just fine.

Step 8: Make the handle
Wrap one end of the wire around the jar’s mouth, securing it by slipping the loop around the wire and tightening it with pliers. Take the free end of wire, and bend it into an inverted U to make a handle. Secure the end by wrapping the other loop around the wire at the jar opening.

Step 9: Enjoy!
Enjoy the beautiful outdoor lighting your homemade lanterns provide.

Did You Know?
One of China’s most popular winter attractions is the annual Ice Lantern Festival in the north, near Siberia.

41 Comments

  1. Miles on August 15, 2023 at 6:04 pm

    Wow I miss the good howcast vids like this one that make you feel good for some reason. Not the new ‘puberty in teens’ and ‘how to look good in highschool’



  2. DJ Sony on August 15, 2023 at 6:04 pm

    You can also paint sugar and use that



  3. Kellie H on August 15, 2023 at 6:06 pm

    is there another alternative way to keep it still instead of sand>?



  4. Laphet on August 15, 2023 at 6:06 pm

    the new how cast sucks balls



  5. Iran Barreto on August 15, 2023 at 6:09 pm

    Wowwwww, thanks for sharing



  6. Leeah Michael on August 15, 2023 at 6:09 pm

    this song is night



  7. Tee_Moneyy on August 15, 2023 at 6:11 pm

    And none for Gretchen Wieners , bye !



  8. Cassiopea456 on August 15, 2023 at 6:16 pm

    Thank you so much for this video. That’s exactly what i was looking for. I just want to ask id you can do a tutorial how to use wire and make knots. for lanterns or any type of work , i could not see clear that part on here. Thank you 🙂



  9. Fourz Ell on August 15, 2023 at 6:18 pm

    U need a jar and candle at least.



  10. darronika gater on August 15, 2023 at 6:18 pm

    i lil

    lol



  11. JunYang Lim on August 15, 2023 at 6:20 pm

    this is actually one of howcast’s most useful ideals and tips



  12. Jules on August 15, 2023 at 6:20 pm

    @xoxoleaxo go to walmart and go to were they have wall paper fo kitchen they have them there



  13. lily theunicorn on August 15, 2023 at 6:21 pm

    hi



  14. Jo Lyons on August 15, 2023 at 6:21 pm

    Fast, efficient and clear instruction.. thanks!



  15. Murasan Vladimir on August 15, 2023 at 6:22 pm

    thank you Howcast!now i play Amnesia the dark descent!



  16. Sasha W. on August 15, 2023 at 6:22 pm

    Better idea:
    Take a jar, tie wire around the lip, stick a fucking candle inside, don’t put the lid on, and hang it somewhere.



  17. hiperanimallover on August 15, 2023 at 6:25 pm

    finaly a howcast vid that ppl like!



  18. Marie Lawrence on August 15, 2023 at 6:27 pm

    coool



  19. baja on August 15, 2023 at 6:27 pm

    whoaaaaaaaaaaaa a GOOD howcast video? O.O



  20. flo2777 on August 15, 2023 at 6:27 pm

    buying all this materials while you can buy a lantern for 5 bucks



  21. mrshammerhankus on August 15, 2023 at 6:28 pm

    lol



  22. Johnney T on August 15, 2023 at 6:29 pm

    Stupid, lame.



  23. Leeah Michael on August 15, 2023 at 6:32 pm

    he says templates different



  24. SunshineMac on August 15, 2023 at 6:34 pm

    Perfect, I knew my baby’s purity jars would come in handy. Love the idea of frost spray vs sand blasting (not sure we get frost spray in South Africa, must scout craft shops) I found florist wire easier to work with – the end result is the same. Thanks for the share and to the point tutorial.



  25. Leeann B on August 15, 2023 at 6:34 pm

    where do you get removable adhesive paper?



  26. Johnney T on August 15, 2023 at 6:35 pm

    That’s not a lantern; try again.



  27. Bob Boswell on August 15, 2023 at 6:37 pm

    this will come in handy when they cut your electric.. at least you’ll have pretty lights on the cheep.



  28. TinyTwitch on August 15, 2023 at 6:40 pm

    imagine if your homeless, then watch howcast you will be a middlecalss men in 3 years o.0 some homeless guy I know did it.



  29. Shradha Kabra on August 15, 2023 at 6:41 pm

    This is something interesting.



  30. Laura S on August 15, 2023 at 6:42 pm

    I didnt realise how upsetting DIY lanterns can be some people…. I loved it



  31. Marie-Anne Barcomb on August 15, 2023 at 6:43 pm

    Good vid! I need lanterns for my outdoor parties and I was worried I would have to drill holes. Thank you 🙂



  32. The Simple Sabbat - Book Companion Channel on August 15, 2023 at 6:43 pm

    I love this!



  33. Lizathla on August 15, 2023 at 6:45 pm

    no wire hangers!!! Joan Crawford, allegedly. mimislifelessons.blogspot.com



  34. Shari Mason on August 15, 2023 at 6:51 pm

    This is exactly what I was looking for! xxoo



  35. Terry Manning on August 15, 2023 at 6:54 pm

    What a great idea!



  36. Zeek8813 on August 15, 2023 at 6:55 pm

    i like this diy!



  37. Nadine Cross on August 15, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    @DOty3 made me lol



  38. venuslock35 on August 15, 2023 at 6:57 pm

    Instead of using sand to to keep the candle stable, you can use small rocks, dried beans, etc. I used a mixture of dried beans, it has earth tone colors & it looked rlly nice.



  39. Crystal McMahon on August 15, 2023 at 7:00 pm

    LOve this!!! Thank you. This idea could be used to light a walk way on Halloween, or use for out door party at night. I enjoy making crafts, but I am not very creative. Love simple how tos like this vid.



  40. Mr. Hankey on August 15, 2023 at 7:01 pm

    what!! i dont under stand what the dudes talking about when he ssays rapp the wire to the other wire then around the jar of the mouth and then rap the mouth of the jar around the wire loop and then make a not what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW THE HELL AND UR DUMB ASS COULD GO A BIT SLOWER



  41. TIKIMAN198 on August 15, 2023 at 7:02 pm

    Thanks… I had no idea how to put a candle in a fucking jar.