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Jar Lights - A Step by Step How To!*
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Votes: 7
Comments: 9

Supplies:
Mason Jar (or similar jar)
Rusty Tin Lid (or other lid)
Electric Candle Light
Drill and Glass Drill Bit
E6000 Glue
Bushing (Optional) 

Step One: Stuff Jar with Newspaper for added support and line sink with a towel...Mark on the jar where you want your hole, being careful not to mark it too close to the bottom of the jar. You can place a piece of tape over the mark to help hold the drill bit in place while you begin drilling the hole. As you are drilling let water from the faucet flow over the hole (just a drip drip drip will do!) This keeps the jar and drill bit cool and helps keep it from cracking. DO NOT PUSH on the drill...let it do the work!

Drilling a hole in the mason jar

Step Two: ...First plug your candle in and make sure it works and then remove the light bulb. Now make sure your candle will fit down into your jar as you may have to sand some of the base off (see helpful hints!) If your electric candle lamp has a green felt covering over the bottom remove it.

Remove green covering

Next use a screwdriver or other type instrument (My hubby has bent a wire coat hanger to use) and push it up into the shaft of the candle lamp and pop out the socket inside. 

Pop out the socket

Step Three: Pop off the covering of the socket (not that I'm recommending this, but Hubby has to use his teeth...I prefer a flat head screwdriver to pry it off!) and expose the electric connection and remove the cord from the connector. 

Candle socket Candle Socket

You can insert your bushing into the hole in the jar if you're using one. Thread the cord through the hole in the back of the jar and out through the top of the jar opening.

Insert candle into jar

Thread the cord back through the base of the candle and into the shaft and place cord connections back into the socket. 

Insert socket

Snap the cover back on. Now replace the bulb and check to be sure the light works (if not then check the connections-make sure the wires are touching the conductors inside the socket!)

Step Four: Push the shaft back onto the base. Using the E6000 glue put a bit around the rim of the base of the candle lamp and push it back into the jar, pressing the base firmly against the bottom of the jar. The E6000 glue dries fairly quickly so be sure your light is where you want it! (Centered in the jar and not off to the side)

Glue

Step Five: Now you can fill your jar with scented fixins, potpourri or whatever you'd like!

Finished Jar Lamp

Some Helpful Tips:
*Some folks find it works better to put the lid on the jar while they are drilling to add more stabilization to the jar.

*Using Wide Mouth Mason Jars is the easiest...but if your using any other type you may have to file the base of the candle lamp down to make sure it fits into the jar. I use a dremel but any type of sander will work or you can even use a knife to "shave" a bit of the base away. (your fixins will cover it!) Make sure your candle lamp is not too tall for your jar. I use the 2.5 inch for quart mason jars and either 3.5 or 4.5 for the gallon size.

*Where to find your glass drill bits and bushings: I get mine from Lowes or Home Depot in the tool section with the other drill bits. Make sure it says for GLASS!! If you're not sure ask one of the sales associates! Supposedly, the diamond bits last longer than the carbide ones but I haven't seen a difference and for the price I'll take the carbide ones! You'll need to replace it after doing a couple cases of jars...You'll be able to feel when it needs to be replaced! The bushings can usually be found with electrical supplies but ask as they tend to put them with the screws and such also!

~Megan




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Comments
  • 29 Sep, 2008   |   Faye

  • Can anyone tell me how to make the scented tarts?
    Thanks, Faye



  • 12 Aug, 2008   |   Tami

  • From what I can tell....I am missing the first part of the conversation about the glass blocks...could someone please inform me?!? I would love to see a pic! =)



  • 13 Nov, 2007   |  Lesa

  • Sissy -
    Not sure if you found out or not yet but on the glass blocks, you can find them at Home Depot for much cheaper than they are asking at antique shops.
    While at HD, pick up a glass bit. you will want to get two. You will start out with the smaller one and then move to the bigger one. If you do not use a bigger one, you may get the lights in, but you will have a heck of a time getting them out when it is time to replace them.
    Drill in the sink on a rubber mat or towel. Make sure you use water on it as you are drilling. Spray bottle, or faucet or friend will work fine.
    Then when you are done, make sure you rinse it out as there will be small bits of glass.
    VIOLA! you are done. enjoy your block.



  • 12 Oct, 2007   |   Lesa

  • Kristal,
    Doing the blocks is very similar to the jar.
    The glass bit is around 12.00 at Home Depot.
    Make sure you use water to cool.
    When you are done, make sure you rinse out the block as it will be filled with a fine glass dust. (which does not feel good when it finds its way into your foot)
    *tip* get the biggest sized bit. The smaller one will make you want to go insane putting the lights into the block. NOT fun.
    Hope this helps. good luck.



  • 01 Oct, 2007   |   Sarah Hill

  • Wonderful instructions!! I just need to know where I can find the right size electric candle lamps for this project!! Thank You!!!



  • 04 Jul, 2007   |   Pat

  • I am soooooo excited to have finally found all this info.... I have been wanting to do this for the last couple of years........ Thanks MUCH!!



  • 24 Apr, 2007   |   Sissy

  • Does anyone have directions for doing the glass blocks?



  • 01 Feb, 2007   |  Kristal

  • Hi Barb, we have the larger ones in our shopping center under the supplies>lighting category. :)
    http://createaprim.com/store/



  • 27 Jan, 2007   |   Barb

  • Great tutorial! Thanks for the help. I'm just beginning here, so where's a good place to shop for decent electric candle lights? Keep up the good work...we need help. ~Barb



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