Home-Made Jar Lanterns

I am rather proud of myself with these little babies. Don't they look pretty magical hanging in my tree? I made them myself in about 5 minutes while also getting ready for a BBQ!

OK five minutes doesn't count how long it took me to soak'n'scrape the labels off the jam jars. Ugh. But we won't go there.

 I had the idea for making these when I was thinking up stuff to decorate our backyard for my 40th I had seen some fancy glass tree lanterns for lots of dosh in a catalogue, and was thinking about whether to splash out, when this idea came to me. I had no idea if it would work til I did it. And I have to say, I think they turned out really nice. I'll be making more.

Here's how to make your own...

EQUIPMENT

Glass Jars (any kind, baby food jars would also work great)

Thin Wire (available from $2 shops)

Tealight candles

Coloured cellophane or Duraseal

To light: you'll need a long lighter or matches

1. Cut one length of wire and circle it around the neck of the jar, twist the ends together to secure it.
2. Cut a another length of wire and loop it under the neck-wire; bend and twist it to form a handle. Loop under the wire on the other side of the jar, bend back and twist to secure it.
3. Cut a length of coloured cellophane or Duraseal and cover the jar on the outside. Place the tealight candle inside.

The backyard looks lovely with more of these hanging in the trees...

...and the kids love them ♥

{They also look pretty amazing all different colours, grouped together on a table}