Unused jars are far too splendid for the glass vessel! With some tracing paper and imagination, you can effortlessly create enchanting lanterns from jam jars, illuminating your balcony with a cozy glow. Discover how to achieve this and what materials you’ll need for the speedy craft below!

Lanterns crafted from jam jars: inventive upcycling for the balcony

The days are noticeably shortening again, yet summer is by no means over! Pleasant evenings on the balcony become truly inviting with homemade lanterns fashioned from empty jam jars that dispel the encroaching darkness with their serene radiance. The best part: You need not be a skilled artisan to excel at this quick upcycling project, and even young children can relish the joy of creative crafting.

Here’s what you need for the lanterns from jam jars

Step-by-step guide for a charming lantern

1. Prepare jars

After you have scraped out the last remnants of jam from the jar, you should thoroughly rinse it. To eliminate the label, immerse the jar in warm water and add a bit of dish soap. After a short period, the label can be easily peeled off.

Reading tips: The label won’t budge? Here’s how you can effortlessly remove stickers and labels.

2. Create scraps of tracing paper

Cut out colorful fragments – either in geometric shapes (circles, squares, triangles, stripes) or tear the tracing paper into random shreds. The lantern made from a jam jar appears particularly delightful if you blend different colored tracing papers.

Extra tip: If you have an old Confetti cannon 🛒 stashed away, you can simply utilize the fragments from it. This way, you spare yourself the trouble of cutting it to size.

3. Combine craft glue

Grab a small bowl and mix equal amounts of water and craft glue. By the way, you aren’t required to use transparent craft glue. The white adhesive becomes clear once it dries.

4. Now it’s time to glue!

Use the brush to apply a light coat of the glue-water mixture onto the glass and position a piece of tracing paper on top. Proceed to cover the entirety of the exterior of the glass. Overlaps create beautiful color fusions. Subsequently, seal everything again with another thin layer of glue and water. Now you must be patient and allow the glass to dry thoroughly.

5. Insert candle

When the glue has set, you can place a tea light inside your vibrant jam jar and relish the interplay of colors of your handmade lantern!

• If you desire something more sophisticated, you can simply cover the glass with a layer of tracing paper into which you’ve previously cut small designs. The light will shine through the gaps later. Opt for tracing paper in a bold hue for a more striking effect.
• If preferred, wrap some wire around the rim of the glass so you can suspend your crafted lantern.
• Create appropriate lanterns based on the season: utilize orange-red papers for autumn, snowflake patterns for winter, or pastel shades for spring.

Reading tips: Create your own light curtain for the balcony – from repurposed jars

With this inventive upcycling, the jars that would otherwise occupy space in the cupboard transform into true eye-catching pieces on your balcony. The finest part: Every lantern is distinctive – handmade, eco-friendly, and guaranteed to impress when lit. Enjoy crafting!