Garden Candle Lanterns
I refuse to pay $15 - $30 for fancy lanterns to hang from the trees in my yard. In this instructable, I'll show you how to make your own lanterns using glass jars, wire, and a few other items.
During the day, people will wonder why the heck you have pickle jars hanging from the trees but at night the look is amazing.
Please keep in mind that this instructable involves open flames and trees. If you are in the midst of a drought, you may want to skip thisproject.
During the day, people will wonder why the heck you have pickle jars hanging from the trees but at night the look is amazing.
Please keep in mind that this instructable involves open flames and trees. If you are in the midst of a drought, you may want to skip thisproject.
Materials & Tools
Material list:
- One glass jar for each lantern. Wide mouth jars work best.
- One candle for each lantern.
- One 2" galvanized roofing nail for each lantern
- 3' to 6' of heavy wire for each lantern
- Masking tape
- Vinyl concrete patcher
Tool list:
- Wire cutters
- Pliers
- Work gloves
- Safety Glasses
- One glass jar for each lantern. Wide mouth jars work best.
- One candle for each lantern.
- One 2" galvanized roofing nail for each lantern
- 3' to 6' of heavy wire for each lantern
- Masking tape
- Vinyl concrete patcher
Tool list:
- Wire cutters
- Pliers
- Work gloves
- Safety Glasses
Candles & Nails
Push a 2 inch galvanized nail approximaely halfway into the bottom of each candle. Try to insert it as straight as possible in relation to the candle.
Jars
Peel the labels off the jars and clean off any glue residue. WD-40 works well. Wash & dry the jars.
Mix vinyl concrete patcher (hereafter referred to as VCP for brevity) and place some in each jar. Hold the jar with one hand and tap with the other so the VCP will level out on the bottom.
VCP should be about 1" deep.
Mix vinyl concrete patcher (hereafter referred to as VCP for brevity) and place some in each jar. Hold the jar with one hand and tap with the other so the VCP will level out on the bottom.
VCP should be about 1" deep.
Add Candles
While the VCP is still wet, Place a strip of masking tape across each jar opening. Place the tape off-center as shown.
Tear off 2 more strips of tape for each jar and keep within reach.
Tear off 2 more strips of tape for each jar and keep within reach.
Insert Candles
Place a candle in a jar, pushing the nail head in the VCP in the center of the jar. It doesn't matter if the bottom of the candle touches the VCP
Hold the candle vertical (against the masking tape previously placed across the opening) and place the other two pieces of tape across the jar opening. The tape should make a triangular support to hold the candle until the VCP dries in about 24 hours.
Hold the candle vertical (against the masking tape previously placed across the opening) and place the other two pieces of tape across the jar opening. The tape should make a triangular support to hold the candle until the VCP dries in about 24 hours.
Add Wire
The wire I used was left over from a chain link fence installation. It's used to attach the chain link to the posts & rail. It's thick and hard to cut & bend.
You may find something a bit thinner and easier to work with, but definitely use work gloves and safety glasses when you proceed. None of the jars have shattered on me but that doesn't mean it could never happen. Safety first.
Next, pull the candle out. The nail stays imbedded in the patch. Hold the jar firmly in one hand and wrap the wire 2 or 3 times around it. Slide the jar out.
You may find something a bit thinner and easier to work with, but definitely use work gloves and safety glasses when you proceed. None of the jars have shattered on me but that doesn't mean it could never happen. Safety first.
Next, pull the candle out. The nail stays imbedded in the patch. Hold the jar firmly in one hand and wrap the wire 2 or 3 times around it. Slide the jar out.
Adjusting the Wire
The wire should look something like a spring.
Stretch the coil out until it is the approximate height of the jar.
Take your pliers and put a sharp bend at the coiled end of the wire. This is what the bottom of the jar will rest on.
At the top of the coil, put a 90 degree bend in the wire. This will extend up.
Put the jar back in and see how it fits. If the wire is too tight/loose, remove the jar and expand/contract the coil by grasping the top & bottom and twist (kind of like wringing out a rag).
Stretch the coil out until it is the approximate height of the jar.
Take your pliers and put a sharp bend at the coiled end of the wire. This is what the bottom of the jar will rest on.
At the top of the coil, put a 90 degree bend in the wire. This will extend up.
Put the jar back in and see how it fits. If the wire is too tight/loose, remove the jar and expand/contract the coil by grasping the top & bottom and twist (kind of like wringing out a rag).
The Hook
Next, figure out where you will hang your lantern. Keep in mind that you have an open flame so you will have to make the wire long enough to protect overhead branches. The jars have some weight to them and will pull thin branches down. Try to pick thicker branches and hang above a "Y" so the wire won't slide down the branch.
Also, avoid high traffic areas. Bumping your head on one of these things will hurt.
When you've selected a site, measure from the branch to where you want the lantern to hang. Add about 8 inches and cut the wire.
Bend the end of the wire into a hook that is slightly wider than the branch. The end of the hook should be at least twice as long as the branch is thick.
Also, avoid high traffic areas. Bumping your head on one of these things will hurt.
When you've selected a site, measure from the branch to where you want the lantern to hang. Add about 8 inches and cut the wire.
Bend the end of the wire into a hook that is slightly wider than the branch. The end of the hook should be at least twice as long as the branch is thick.
Hang the Jars
Hang the jars.
I know the candle in this lantern is too long I usually cut them in half & whittle the bottom half to a point until there is enough wick to light. Voila. Two candles for the price of one!
I know the candle in this lantern is too long I usually cut them in half & whittle the bottom half to a point until there is enough wick to light. Voila. Two candles for the price of one!
Enjoy
Light your candles at dusk and enjoy the ambiance late into the night.
Notes:
Francesco Rinaldi Pasta Sauce jars work really well and have a nice pattern in the glass. Claussen Pickle jars have a wide opening and don't get sooty.
"Emergency" candles work well and last for hours but most any candle except tea lights will do. I've been using IKEA candles for years with good results and at 50 for $5.99, you can't beat it.
If the candles are allowed to burn themselves out, the nail is left exposed, ready for another to be inserted.
Narrow neck bottles (like Snapple) tend to collect soot and are hard to re-light.
Don't store the lanterns with candles inside. If left in a hot shed, melted wax can make a mess.
Notes:
Francesco Rinaldi Pasta Sauce jars work really well and have a nice pattern in the glass. Claussen Pickle jars have a wide opening and don't get sooty.
"Emergency" candles work well and last for hours but most any candle except tea lights will do. I've been using IKEA candles for years with good results and at 50 for $5.99, you can't beat it.
If the candles are allowed to burn themselves out, the nail is left exposed, ready for another to be inserted.
Narrow neck bottles (like Snapple) tend to collect soot and are hard to re-light.
Don't store the lanterns with candles inside. If left in a hot shed, melted wax can make a mess.