Ball jars, Mason jars, canning jars… Whatever you want to call them, they are fun and they have made their way out of the kitchen and into home decor. Somewhere I had seen some canning jars covered in chicken wire being sold for $25 to $30. Well, there was no way I was going to pay that much for something I felt like I could make myself.
Supplies: Chicken wire, canning jars, flat nose plier, cutting plier, spray paint, wire (24 gauge) candles or LED tea lights
So start by lining up the lip of the jar at the smooth edge of the chicken wire. Cut the wire so that it wraps all the way around the jar, and overlaps an inch or two. I used the hexagonal rows as my indicators. You want one or two inches of the chicken wire to hang over the bottom of the jar.
Twist together the ends of the chicken wire together, pulling it pretty tight, particularly at the top portion of the jar. Use the flat nose pliers or wear protective gloves and make sure you’ve had your tetanus shot, those edges are pokey little buggers. Then pull out the jar from the bottom so that you can really wrap the wires tight.
Wrap the wires and tuck them in themselves the best you can. Snip off any ends of wires that are poking out.
Now is the time to add a handle if you want to hang it. I added the handle after painting it so that the handle showed up better in the picture. Slip a long length of 24 or 22 gauge wire through the top of the chicken wire. You are then going to double-up the wire, wrap the wire around the chicken wire a couple of times to secure it, then twist the doubled up wire until the end. Wrap the loose end of the handle on the opposite side of the chicken wire. Wrap it so that it’s tight and will handle the weight of the jar if you choose to hang it.
***DISCLAIMER: I had a lighted candle in the jar and the handle did get hot. Be cautious of this so that you don’t burn your fingers.***
Take the chicken wire outside and spray paint it. Obviously, I chose gold, because I loved it with the blue Ball jars. But the ones I saw for sale were clear jars with oil-rubbed bronze chicken wire. Or get colorful! I’d love to see some with neon painted chicken wire!
Once the paint is dry, slip the jar back into the chicken wire from the bottom. Tighten the wire as best as you can, being careful, because you don’t want to scrape of the paint.
Start pinching together the chicken wire at the bottom of the jar. Cut off any amount that looks to be extra. Then wrap the wires at the base of the jar together so that it is tight and will hold the jar. Try to keep it as even as possible, because you want the lanterns to sit flat.
Put candles in them, use them as a vase or plant some succulents in them. These are going to be perfect for our lovely suppers we will be eating outside (at least until the weather gets too hot!)
I adore the way they look hanging on the cement wall!
xoxo-
Jessa
Linked to these fabulous blog parties – Moonlight and Mason Jars, Project Stash, The Makers, Link Party Palooza, Be Different Act Normal, Think Pink Sunday, Nifty Thrifty Things, Tip Me Tuesday, The Creative Collection
love this!!
I’m in love with these! I have tons of mason jars and chicken wire so this is definitely on my to do list! Thanks so much for sharing at The Makers!
Love these! May have to try them myself!
Adding the chicken wire is a great idea! Beautiful and practical 🙂
Oh, these are just lovely! The chicken wire is a great take on the mason jar lantern.
I’m hosting a series right now all about yarn projects. I’d love to have you link up anything you’ve made involving yarn/twine!
Yarn it All! Link Party on Bugaboo Blog
Now I know what to do with my last few feet of chicken wire. These will look so cute on the patio. Thanks for the cute idea!
These are so easy to make and so pretty.
I loved your Tip Me Tuesday link this week. {thanks girl!} Would you like Tip Junkie to feature your blog post to over 200,000 creative women? If you upload this blog post into your Tip Junkie craft room using at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL then I can easily feature it in my RSS feed, home page, and all my social networks instantly. {squealing with delight} ~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/how-to-add-a-craft-room-project-on-tip-junkie/
Oh my gosh I absolutely ADORE this idea and I would LOVE to do them in a future home!
These are just amazing! I have been totally in love with these blue glass jars any way and the chicken wire just puts them over the top. We would love to have you link up this project and others at Family Joy Blog Link-up Party every Sunday at noon EST on Ava’s Alphabet and 5 other great blogs. Have a great week!
I love these! What a creative idea – Would love to have you share on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY Party!
http://www.pleasuresofthenw.com/diy-party-no-9-lets-rock-that-craft-night/
Oh My GOodness how cute these turned out, I think I could even manage them too. Love the color of the jars!! And by the way love the repurpose of the tin can for planting!!! Pinned the jar to my huge Mason Jar board-No Duplicates, come see http://bit.ly/1UUdGWj
Thank you so much for sharing on the #OMHGWW this week!
Hope you enjoy your weekend coming!!
What a fun and easy craft to upscale your out of doors for summer! I am with you…$25? No way! I love these and am pinning them to my Crafty board. If you have a spare moment, I would love it if you would stop by and share these over at the Celebrate Your Story! link party! Here is the link if you want to join us: http://celebrateanddecorate.com/celebrate-story-30/
Wow, it’s amazing what you can do with canning jars and chicken wire! These would be a great addition to our outdoor summer decorations. Thanks for sharing with #FamilyJoy Blog Link-Up Party! 🙂
Lovely! Such a clever way to update a mason jar. And you’re right: it’ll be absolutely perfect for those dinners outdoors during the summer. Thank you so much for sharing your craft with us on #shinebloghop!
Jessa, I felt in love with your jars as soon as I saw them. I’ve never used chicken wire but I like its look so much!
I would love to invite you to share this with us at our new Sweet Inspiration party which is live every Friday.
Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Loved your DIY pinned & shared.
How fun! The paint adds such a nice touch and I bet they’re lovely when lit. Thanks for bringing these to Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
I stumbled across this blog and I think I will repurpose this DIY to make a hummingbird feeder. See, I was trying to find a way to hang my mason jar upside down, that wasn’t too awkward, and the chicken wire looks like it will hold easily the mason jar upside down. Thanks for the inspiration!