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Monday, June 18, 2012

Mason Jar Citronella Lanterns

I saw these cute mason jar hangers on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/listing/94788194/hanging-mason-jar-garden-lights-diy-lids and then these homemade citronella mason jars http://pinterest.com/pin/270849365060278473/on Pinterest and decided to combine the two ideas and make my own hanging Mason Jar Citronella Lanterns.  Follow my DIY directions and make some for yourself.  They are adorably fun and will look oh so cute while keeping mosquitoes away!
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 First, gather your supplies.  It doesn't take much especially if you 
already have some jars & lids laying around.
You can use any size jar with lid.

Each hanging jar will need at least 1 foot of chain.  I chose the smallest size chain I could find  at Home Depot.  I bought  10 feet of chain and was able to make 10 hanging jars.  The chain is really inexpensive., something  like 64 cents a foot.

You will need 2 - S hooks for each jar.  3/4 "  works best for this project.

A 12 inch piece of an old 100% cotton t-shirt.
You want a piece that is  about 1 1/2  inches wide because it curls when you rip it.

Tools: hammer, hole punch (I use my Crop-A-Dile which is an awesome hole puncher, eyelet & snap setter all in one.),  pliers, and something to punch a hole through the top of the lid.

To begin -  punch 2 holes in the lid, as close to the lower edge as possible.
 Line the holes up so they are directly across from each other.


Measure and cut a 12 inch length of chain. You may want it longer, depending on where
you are going to hang your lantern.


Once your chain is cut you need to attach the chain to the lid using the S hooks.

Loop one end of the S hook through the chain. Close the S using your pliers

Next, attach the other end of the S hook to the lid

Again, close the S with the pliers


To make a hole in the lid, set the lid on the jar and use a sharp object to punch a hole in the top.
 I used an old ice pick, but a nail will work fine.

Make sure the hole is big enough to thread the t-shirt through.

You want the piece of t-shirt to fit snugly and not fall out.  The t-shirt will serve as your wick

Now you can fill your jar with Citronella oil.  If you don't have a bug problem,  
you can  also use olive oil from your pantry to give a nice flame.



Here is my lantern hanging on a hook on my back porch.
 Love it! 

NOTE: Be sure to use Citronella Oil not Tiki Torch Fuel.