Ideas for Filling and Canning Jar Lamps
Canning jars can easily be made into lamps, an interesting way to recycle glass jars. The jar itself must be filled with something in order to keep the jar from falling over and breaking. What you choose to fill it with is up to you, but some items make for better fillers than others. You can choose random items or go with a theme instead to make it more fun.
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Sewing Items
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If you are crafty or want to give the lamp as a gift to someone who is, try filling the jar with sewing notions. Thread spools work well and can give a pop of brightness if you use multiple colors. You can also mix in things like thimbles or even rolled up measuring tapes. Leftover pieces of ribbon or various colorful cloths would also make a great addition as well.
Beach Lamp
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Even if you live nowhere near a beach, it is fairly easy to procure items that have a beach theme. Sand of all colors is sold in craft and hobby shops everywhere. You can also find shells, seahorses and pieces of coral in the same shops. Buy one or all of these and mix them together until you get a look you like. If you do live near a beach or have some of these items from a beach vacation, use those instead for a more personal touch.
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Winter/Holiday
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Small Christmas ornaments, tinsel, small gift boxes or holiday potpourri are all great to throw into the jar that will give it a holiday theme. If you prefer more of a neutral winter theme rather than a specific holiday, try decorating white pompoms as the head of snowmen. Use beaded eyes and orange felt cut out in carrot shapes. Stack them into the jar until you reach the top. To weight the jar, tape one end of an empty toilet paper roll and fill it with heavy items such as sand or gravel. Place this in the middle, then put the decorative items around it. You won't be able to see it, and it will add enough weight so that you won't worry about the lamp tipping over despite how little the decorative items weigh.
Decoupage
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For a twist, you can decoupage a canning jar on the outside, so it won't matter what you put inside. The inside can be filled with rocks, sand or any thing you have lying around the house to weight it. Cut out any pictures or patterns you like from paper. Newspapers, magazines, old calendars or pictures printed from your computer will all do fine. Lightly coat them using a decoupage medium like Mod Podge and apply to the jar. Keep adding pieces until the entire outer jar is covered, then apply another thin layer of decoupage medium. Allow to dry thoroughly.
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References
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