Mason Jar Lamps

How to Make a Mason Jar Lamp

I am looking for instructions on how to make mason jar lamps.

Not the ones with the lamp on the lid, but the ones with the candle stick down inside the jar and the cord coming out from the back of the jar.

Mary

Find canning jars with side holes already drilled (I read they're available but couldn't find any) or gather regular canning jars and drill your own holes.

You will need a diamond tipped "core" drill bit large enough to make a hole for the electric cord of your lamp. Since water will be used to lubricate the drill bit and prevent overheating, USE CAUTION. Electricity and water can be a dangerous combination.

Use a drill press to firmly hold the jar while you drill. You can rig some kind of drip system to continuously bathe the drill bit with water; build a clay dam around the area to be drilled and fill with water; or have a friend with spray bottle in hand spritz water over the drill bit as you drill. The tip of the drill bit should always be wet.

Start slowly and use gentle pressure. Increase speed and pressure until the glass starts to give. Drilling faster heats (and burns up) the drill bit. If you see the bit beginning to change color, SLOW DOWN. Some jewelers who use diamond drill bits for brittle materials say you need to let the drill find its own speed.

Too much heat could also crack the jar. When the bit is almost through the jar, lighten up even more to make a nice clean hole. Go too fast and you could get noticeable chips on the inside of the jar.

(You could also call some local machine shops. You might find one willing to drill the holes for you. The price they charge will be worth it if you don't already own the necessary equipment.)

Here is more information on drilling glass.

The fittings for your lamp are available at Stockade Supply - they move around the Internet a bit, so do a search to find them. They carry reasonably priced 2 and 4 inch antique candle lamp kits, as well as two types of silicone gel candelabra lamp bulbs (continuous glow or flicker). The bulbs are amazingly realistic when lit.

The rest is up to your imagination! Have fun deciding how to decorate your canning jar lamps.

Artfully arrange rose hips, cinnamon sticks, dried fruit, sea shells, beans, whatever your heart desires, around the candle base.

Find supplies to paint or antique your jar lids, as well an assortment of ribbons to finish off your work of art at sites such as Joann.com.