Mason jar magic with solar lights

Fun, easy and beautiful…

…solar lanterns for outdoor Winter tables. Complete tutorial! Jeanne Sammons says, “Here are my Mason jars that I leave out all Winter! I just added the wreath & need some red berries, I think. That’s a crazy solar owl on the other side … still ‘shining’ from last year.”

Jeanne’s wreath encircles a grouping of Mason jars, lit up with solar power!

Take the stake and reflector off, leaving just the light and solar part, this fits on top of the jar.

Here’s what to do:

Mason jar solar lights ‘how to’

Top left: Gather materials

Mason jar, GE Silicone II Clear Caulk, Half glass marbles (gems), Canning jar ‘band’ only … not lid part, Solar light, remove the plastic stake.

Bottom left: Squeeze GE Silicone II onto the lid top (screw side should be facing down). Work a good bead all the way round.

Right side photo: Center the lid top over the ‘bottom’ section of the solar light … this is where the battery is located in the light.

x Allow to dry 24 hrs before screwing onto the Mason jar.

When glue is dried, about 24 hrs ready to screw on to the Mason jar:

Here are the same canning jars last March after being out there all winter …. in a wire basket ~~Jeanne

Rainy day centerpiece, and see, canning jar rims are colored with a silver marker.

HINTS: I used a silver permanent market to ‘paint’ the jar ‘band’ to match the silver solar light. You can see this in the outdoor table picture above. If the solar light battery goes dead after a few months or years you can easily pry loose the GE Silicone II with a knife or screwdriver. My original Mason jar has been out three years now and still ‘shining! You can also use other sizes (diameters) of solar lights.

Jeanne’s jars and rack will transform into an outdoor centerpiece

Old canning jars filled now with pinecones and things

The old canning jars are filled now with pinecones, cinnamon sticks, Ohio Buckeyes and rose hips. One solar light jar was set in the middle and wired the canner rack to patio table…I’m likin’ it!

At night,…fabulous Mason jar lights

Where to find solar lights

You can purchase ANY solar lights … I usually buy them at a big box store like Menards, Home Depot or Lowes. Some can be found at dollar stoares The ones I used are called Portfolio 6-Pack Sand Solar-Powered LED Path Lights” They came with a ‘stake’ which can be easily be detached. It contains 1 AA nickel cadmium rechargeable battery.

Bonnie Robitaille did this project, she says, and found the solar lights at a dollar store. “The smaller ones fit right into jar rings, nice and snug. I wrapped soft wire around the necks to hang them from the porch, which is now enclosed with clear a glow. The rims rusted when i put them outside, so I’ll try silicone next time!”

Variations!

Theresa Jones My version. Frosted spray on outside, color spray on inside. This solar top is NOT waterproof. back to the drawing board.

Theresa Jones says, “My version. Frosted spray on outside, color spray on inside. This solar top, shown, is NOT waterproof. back to the drawing board.”

Karen Settles uses indoor solar jars

Karen Settles These Mason jar lights are not outside but inside in my kitchen window for extra light when the power goes out. They are not “sealed” with anything . . just have marbles in the jar to stabilize the solar lights. I used 2 of my antique blue canning jars (Ball, not Mason . . lol) and filled them with teal glass marbles for more color. Any solar light could be used but I happened to have a couple of the round crackle glass ones that I really like. The window they are in faces south so they get plenty of sun all day to recharge them.