Whimsical Wire Mason Jar Lanterns

Fun and festive, here's how to make mason jars into cute candle holders. I've created three different designs, with three different sized jars.

Tools and Supplies:

• Mason Jars
• Copper Wire -- 16gauge, 18 gauge and 20 gauge
• 1/2" Copper tape
• Pliers -- Round nose, flat nose, and wire cutters
• Scissors
• Tea light candles, or other

To make Wide Mouth 8oz Swag Candleholder

8 oz. wide mouth jar

13" piece of 18 gauge copper wire

30" piece of 20 gauge wire

Three 13" pieces of 16 gauge wire

Using the 13" piece of wire as the base/collar, take the 30" piece of wire and wrap around the base/collar wire, in a rough swag. To do this, start with one end of the 30" wire, wrap securely around the base/collar wire. Measure 2" from the wrap spot, create a bend, and then wrap the bend around the base wire. This measuring process ensures that the swags are fairly consistent. Continue this process, wrapping, measuring 2", bend, and wrapping, until you get to the end of the 30" wire.

Wrap the end and cut off any excess. Adjust wraps, pinching them together, neatening up the swag.

Shape the swag 'ruffles' so that they are fairly symmetrical and smooth. It will look like a little crown.

Carefully place the copper tape on the jar just below the threads. Because the jar is tapered, you'll have to adjust as you stick the tape to the jar. After applying the tape, burnish it with fingernails or burnishing tool.

Encircle the jar, in the threads area, with the collar/swag wire. Twist the ends together using flat nosed pilers. Tuck in wire ends, and cut off any excess.

Cut 16 gauge copper wire in three 13" lengths.

Bend the wires in half, and pinch together the bend with pliers.
With needle nose pliers, turn the cut ends in just-opened loops. Trim any excess to make then even.
Slide looped ends under collar wire, using pliers or another tool to make the sliding easier (see pic).
Space out the leg wires so that they are equally about 1/3 of the way around the jar circle.
Close the leg attachment loops with needle nosed pliers.

Flip the jar upside down, and grasp the leg wires together at the bottom of the jar.
With your fingers, begin twisting the legs together, finish twist using pliers, for tighter twist.
Using needle nosed pliers, curl up the other end of the leg wires.
Adjust the legs so that the jar sits straight, and the base supports it.

To make Whimsical 4oz Candle holder

• Use 4oz quilted design jar
• Cut base/collar, 18 gauge wire, 10" long.
• Cut six "Tendrils" from 18 gauge wire, 8" long.
• Cut 1/2" copper tape at 9" long.
• Cut three legs from 16 gauge wire, 15" long.

Turn the ends of the six tendril pieces with needle nose pliers, so that the ends aren't pointy.

Fold the six tendril pieces in half, create a small loop in the center of the wire.

String the tendril loops on to the base/collar wire.

Attach the base/collar wire to the jar, twisting the ends to secure.

Flip jar over, to space out the 6 wires evenly.

Start fashioning the tendril wires. Use pencils or paint brushes to wind curlicues, form an abstract heart with others, twist together and make a flame, go crazy!!

Add the copper tape to the jar, just below the threads.

Add legs, (3x 16 gauge wire, at 15" long). Fold wires in half, add loops to cut end, slide under collar wire. Flip over, space out evenly, form and twist legs close to bottom of jar, use pliers to tighten, curl feet ends up.

Adjust. If your curlicues are floppy (sorry), tighten the base/collar wire by twisting connection, if necessary. Do this carefully, so as not to fatigue the wire and cause it to break.

To make Quilted side 12oz Lantern

• Use 12oz. quilted design jar
• Cut base/collar, 18 gauge wire, 10" long
• 20" piece of 20 gauge wire for petals
• 14" piece of 16 gauge wire for handle
• Cut two 1/2" copper tape at 9" long

Using the 10" piece of wire as the base/collar, take the 20" piece of wire and wrap around the base/collar wire, in a rough swag. To do this, start with one end of the 20" wire, wrap securely around the base/collar wire. (See main swag instructions in step 1 for more info.) Measure 2" from the wrap spot, create a bend, and then wrap the bend around the base wire. This measuring process ensures that the swags are fairly consistent. Continue this process, wrapping, measuring 2", bend, and wrapping, until you get to the end of the 20" wire.

Wrap the end and cut off any excess. Adjust wraps, pinching them together, neatening up the swag. Shape the swag 'petals' into points so that they are fairly symmetrical. It will look like a little pointed crown.

Wrap base/collar piece around the jar at the threads, and twist to secure. Continue twist to the end of the wires, and turn that twist into a little loop. This will hold one end of your handle.

Add copper tape, to top, just under the threads, and about 1/4" from the bottom of the jar.

Create handle from the 16 gauge 14" wire. Fold in half, create a loop at the top, curl both ends to connect to the twisted loop and the collar wire on the opposite side.

Adjust petals and handle.

I love the look of keeping the whole thing copper colored, so simply wrap tealight candles with copper tape.

Aren't they stinking cute?! And you can go so many different directions with the variations. Add beads, create different swag designs, the possibilities are absolutely endless. Enjoy these little delights. And if you want to see more of what I do, check out my website, www.TamaraCentral.com