Canning Jar Garden Lanterns

Our friend Shauna is getting married next weekend and I offered to make the canning jar garden lanterns for her backyard reception, which we saw in a picture on the internet. So my girls and I got to work. We found all the supplies at Walmart. I was kind of particular about the jars (I didn't want jars with fruit on them). 

Next I needed to buy some tea lights. I found these really BIG ones in the candle section. 

They came in a package of 12 for $3! They are perfect for this project. 

They fit the jars really well, without looking too small. Seriously, these things are huge!

If you are going to use them just for decoration you can remove the metal cups (which looks better), 

otherwise if you are going to light them they need to stay on, or they will melt into a puddle of wax (I tested). 

You could also use votives that are already in a little glass holder. 

But since we were making quite a few and trying to be thrifty about it, this worked just fine.

I took a 2 foot piece of wire, folded it in half and made a small loop.

Then I wrapped the wires around the jar...

and twisted them together on the other side.

I continued to twist both wires together and put them through the loop and the other side of the jar.

Next I wrapped the ends around the wire handle.

You can either leave then plain (which is kind of my favorite. I know - I am so boring).....

 or tie a ribbon around them, burning the ends with a lighter. 

Shauna wanted ribbons in different garden colors.

 Now they are ready to be set out in the garden and/or interspersed among the dishes on the table and counter. 

They are super simple, but so cute. I think they will be perfect for her casual garden calling reception. If nothing else, we had fun!