FROSTY MASON JAR LANTERNS
This year I am all about making Christmas easy, doable and beautiful!!! So I’m combining my love for mason jars and the twinkle of candlelight. With a little bit of this, a touch of that… and dash of Epson salts I’m whipping up darling frosty little lanterns to light the Christmas season. These lanterns are sooooo easy to make. I’ll be showing you how I’m using a line-up of them on an upcoming post!
Let’s make these sweet lanterns…
Put the wire hanger/handle on the lantern first.
Cut a length of medium-gauge wire with wire snips that will go around the rim of the jar between the lid threads and add 4 inches. This is wire A
Cut a length of wire as long as desired for the handle of the lantern plus 3 inches. This is wire B
Bend wire B to fashion the handle of the lantern and tape the handle to the mason jar, making sure there is about 1 1/2 inches of wire hanging down each side mason jar. Tape the handle to the threads at the top of the jar so the tape will stick.
Put wire A around the rim of the jar and twist together to close. Use the area between the lid threads to place the wire. Snip excess wire.
Bend the ends of wire B up over wire A and make a hook so the handle (wire B) hooks on to the wire on the rim of the jar (wire A).
Now you have a working handle.
So it’s time to frost our little lanterns…
Just think of all the ways you can use these sparkly, darling little lanterns!!! And you can omit the handle and use them as candle holders!
Super cute and super easy!…thanks Yvonne and have a great weekend!!
These frosty lanterns are just beautiful! I hope I am able to find the time to make some myself to decorate our booth for an upcoming sale. Thank you for sharing this idea! 🙂
I love anything with a bit of sparkle!
Very charming Yvonne, and so easy to create. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yvonne,
Your ideas are the best! They are so do-able and they look so classy. I do not like “goobies”–(I think you call them tchloshs or something like that!) but I know that without fail I will see something I like. I will say, “Yes, I can do that!” And it will fit in my decor and not look tacky! Yay for Yvonne! Keep those great ideas coming! Love you!
Linda
You made my day!!!
Absolutely beautiful and appropriate all winter, not just holiday time.
These are just lovely. I often use Epsom salts in the bottom of hurricanes and votives to catch drips. Looks like snow. I may need to expand my use of Epsom salts and try your idea! Sheila@mykentuckyliving
I love this idea!! Definitely stocking up on the Mason jars now!! Thank you, Yvonne!
Jane xxx
So eye catching! Looking forward to seeing your post on how you used these.
Judith
I <3 these! Super cute and super easy! Pinning them.
These are so pretty, I hope to find time to make some. I do have a question, how do you keep the salt from coming off the jar? Thanks for sharing your beautiful ideas!
Hi Marla,
The Mod Podge keeps the Epson salt on pretty good.
Yvonne, you prepare the most delightful items. These mason jar lanterns are adlorable. Thanks for sharing. Peggy
Yvonne, I had to share your frosty mason jar lanterns on my blog. You can check it out here: http://christmanscreations.com/2014/11/14/things-that-made-me-smile/
I just love all your “simple” Christmas ideas.
Hi Yvonne,
Adorable and doable. Ya gotta love that! Thanks!
I saw on Jenn’s site that you mentioned you have a new book deal!
Eek, can’t wait! Congrats! Will look forward to it.
Wishing you a beautiful day,
Linda at Beautiful Ideas
Hi Yvonne –
I am all about candles and glitter for Christmas decor. I have not yet tried using Epsom Salt. I can’t wait to do this. I even have Epsom Salt so I can do it easily. Love the beauty and ease of this. Simply elegant.
Frosty lanterns are just beautiful! Really like this idea. Never would have thought to use Epsom salts, will definitely try this craft. Great idea for Christmas & winter. Love your blog. Jo
Those are beautiful!!! Can’t wait to make some of my own! Thanks for sharing! These would also make great gifts!
Hi Yvonne,
I just very recently came upon your website and love these ideas! Very creative…… I wouldn’t have thought about using Epsom salts for so many things! Now, I’m not always good with directions so bear with me. Is it possible for you to take some pics of how you do all the wire attachments, I.e., around rim, attaching handle, taping,etc. this would be so helpful! I recently changed my decor to embrace the “old” as “new” and am having a blast! What DID we all do BEFORE Pinterst! LOL???!!!
Thank you,
Karen
Hi Karen,
I’ll try to do a post. I’m not sure when! Welcome to the StoneGable family!
I wish I had your talent for thinking of all the wonderful ideas you come up with. I know what I like when I see it done, but I do not have the ability to come up with them myself. I want to create the same feeling in my home that you achieve with all of your warm and comfortable decorating ideas. Keep ’em coming.
Thanks Linda! It inspires me to hear my readers are asking for more… thanks!
Thanks for the inspiration. I recently “inherited” a number of glass containers in all shapes and sizes from my mother-in-law and they’ll look great once I use your technique! They might end up be the centerpiece on my dining room table this year.
Lovely idea, Yvonne. I just used Epsom salt in my hurricanes also made Christmas scene using Epsom salts and a few snow globes for my grandkids. I want to make your lantern.
You have great ideas. Always look forward to your post.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Do you use regular epsom salt or do you buy it with the larger crystals?
Hi Val, I used regular epson salts
I live in the deep South, and since it’s usually pretty humid down here, I don’t know how the Epsom salt would work. I am going to try this with some translucent/pearlescent glitter I have and see how that works.
Hi Sue, I bet your lanterns will look gorgeous!
We made the epsom salt luminaries but the epsom salts seem to fall off a lot. Do you have a recommendation for how to keep them from all falling off? I was thinking some kind of spray sealer.
It does fall off but enough stays on to make it so pretty. You can spray a “fixative” for crafts over it also. Hope this helps.
What do i subsitute the salt with ? thanks
I’m not sure. Epson’s salt work the best.
I didn’t see what kind of tape holds the wire on the jar threads.
Hi Kay, I use a bendable wire and get it snug enough that it holds itself in place. Hope this helps!
The homemade lanterns are so cute!
I love this! Thanks for sharing!
What type of textured paint can I use on glass? I saw a mason jar in a store painted with a texture paint it had a rough but pretty looking finish.
You can use chalk paint or spray paint on Mason Jars
Hi! When I made these I put another light coat of modge podge over the Epsom salt after they dried
It keeps it from coming off but doesn’t take away from the snowy look. I also did some mason jars with the frosted spray paint on them first, and then did the “snow” along the top half. It’s my favorite!
Such a great idea, Pam! Thanks!
So cute and very creative.
Love these lanterns! Thank you for sharing your great ideas and passing along your creativity! May I ask, since there are so many different sizes in mason jars out there, what size do you use? I would like to purchase them in bulk. Also, the medium gauge wire you have pictured on your lantern has a nice worn look to it? Did you do anything to the wire to make it look that way? Where do you purchase your faux plants and the natural ribbon? Thanks Yvonne!
You can find the jars here:https://amzn.to/2RxYnZs.
The wire came that way and the ribbon and greens came from my stash of bit and pieces. Hope this helps.
I love these lanterns and they look pretty simple to make. Thank you for sharing, I will definetely try this project! Love, Beatrice
Hi Yvonne – so sweet. I am thinking of using glasses instead of jars to use on my dining table. Have you ever tried to remove the ModPodge and Epsom salts after they have dried?
Thanks,
Sheila
No, but I know they are both water soluble. Give them a good soak and see what happens.
Making these for sure! Where did you get that darling black hook that the jar is hanging on? I thought it would be cute to make a wooden plaque to hook this jar on for the wall. Thanks!
HI Liz! It came from a local shop. Sorry, I don’t have a source.
I love all these ideas. I especially would like to make the frosted jars. I am all about lights and candles at Christmas time.
I always love your ideas, especially this one! I want them everywhere so I better get busy!
Can’t wait to see your future post on how you use them!
Thanks for a beautiful and easy idea!
How long does it take these to dry. I’m on my second attempt and they are not drying for me
Goodness! I’m not sure why they are not drying. Try letting them dry 24 hours. This should do it!