How to Make a Lamp From a Jar

Jar lamps are lamps made of canning or mason jars. The homemade lamps are easy to personalize and match the decor of any room. There are two basic ways to create a jar lamp--either make a traditional lamp with a lamp shade or create a jar that lights up.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas lights

Make a Lamp with a Shade

1. Drill a hole through the lid and bottom side of the jar. These holes need to be large enough to fit the lamp pieces from the craft kit through the lid and allow the cord to come out the side of the jar at the bottom. Place a piece of tape over the area of glass you are drilling into. Drill slowly through the glass to keep it from cracking.

2. Run the wire through the hole in the jar and pull the wire to the top. Place the lid on the jar and install the lamp onto the top. The wire comes through the hole in the lid and attaches to the lamp pieces. Be sure to follow any specific instructions with the craft lamp kit.

3. Unscrew the lid and place all the decorations inside. Some decorations that are commonly used are flowers, sand, small trinkets and other small items that go with the style of the room.

4. Place the lid back onto the jar and place a light bulb in the lamp.

5. Put the shade on the lamp and plug the lamp in.

Make a Lamp Without a Shade

6. Drill a hole in the side, near the bottom of the mason jar. The hole needs to be large enough to run the Christmas lights through. Place a piece of tape over the area of glass you are drilling into. Drill slowly through the glass to keep it from cracking.

7. Run the Christmas lights through the hole and into the jar.

8. Place the decorations in the jar. Rearrange the lights as needed to make the entire jar light up.

9. Place the lid on the jar and plug the Christmas lights into the wall.