Creative DIY Mason Jar Lights

Mason jars of all sizes have skyrocketed in popularity along with burlap and pallets as DIY and upcycle project materials. They give your space a sweet, homey, quirky atmosphere, both indoors and outdoors.
Mason jars are, actually, incredibly versatile as a crafting base. Of course, they’re perfect for their original intended purpose: as containers for jellies, jams, and other preserves, but they’re also excellent and relatively sturdy housing for more fragile lightbulbs.

Outdoor lighting can be prohibitively expensive, and if you are on a budget, you probably don’t want to spend the money on lighting your backyard or patio, even if you plan on spending a great deal of time outside at night.

The glow of these illuminary projects are sure to add an incredible soft, romantic atmosphere to any patio or backyard, large or small, whether you string them along a rustic wooden fence or hang them like a chandelier under a covered patio.

- Candlelit Mason Jars
Thick, sturdy chains attach these simple jars to the top of a fence or other vertical surface. The tops of these lights are open, as not to smother the candle’s flame. Small pebbles keep the candles snugly in place. You can easily place a cover on these to protect them from the rain.

- Colored Marble Mason Jar
This incredibly simple lantern is perfect to sit on a patio table. A small hole in the top lets the candle inside breathe, and the exterior is covered with colored glass marbles that create a gorgeous shadow. A simple wire handle allows this lantern to be moved easily while lit.

- Simple Ball Jar String Lights
The thicker, sturdier mason jars protect these thin, delicate lightbulbs from any wind or weather. Strung along a fence, or even along the edge of a covered patio, these provide a soft yellow light that isn’t too glaring for a nighttime gathering.

- Rainbow Ball Jar String Lighting
A simple colored glaze can transform a string of ball jar lights into an adorable rainbow. These can be strung along a fence, or simply placed along a railing or branch, as shown above.