Today have a fun and budget friendly DIY for you to take those Monday blues away. I’m excited to share with you guys a fun alternative to a regular ole’ light fixture. The idea of this light came to me when we were decorating our master bathroom. I searched high and low for a farmhouse light to put above our sinks and couldn’t find the right one. For some reason, I just kept imagining that a Mason Jar light would be fun for the space and add the rustic farmhouse touch I was looking for. I love decorating with Mason Jars because they are versatile, cheap, and just so darn cute. Since I couldn’t find a light, I decided to give a Mason Jar light DIY a try. It was surprisingly simple to make and the end result was exactly what I was looking for.
Mason Jar Light DIY Tip
Before I give you a list of what you will need, the first step is finding a light fixture that has the lights facing down. Also, make sure that the lights are spread far enough apart so that the Mason Jars don’t hit each other. Here is the light fixture that I chose. It was actually on the clearance rack at Home Depot for $20 so I bought two of these for our his and hers vanities.Â
Mason Jar DIY Materials
The next step is collecting your materials. Here is what I used for the project
Material List:
- Sharpie
- Base Bulb Screw Thread Socket (this piece comes with your light fixture and will be screwed on to your light)
- 32 oz Mason Jars (These need to be large enough to cover your bulb)
- Mason Jar Lid and Rim (comes with the Mason Jar)
- Edison Bulbs
- Nail (optional)
- Hammer (optional)
How to Make a Mason Jar Light Fixture
Step 1
For the first step in this Mason Jar light DIY, place the Mason Jar lid on a surface and put the light socket screw (this should come with the light) in the center of the lid with the smaller part sitting on top of the lid. Then trace around the outside of the socket screw.
Step 2
Now that you have a circle, you need to cut around it. This is the part that I totally came up with as a solution to cut around the circle. I didn’t have a special tool so I improvised and did it this way. Probably an easier way to do this would have been using a drill with a spade bit or a Forstner bit.
I placed the lid on the Mason Jar and grabbed a nail and a hammer. Next, I started tapping holes around the circle on the line that I had traced. Try to make your holes close together so it’s easier in the end for the metal to pop out. Here is what it looks like.
Step 3
Note: Be careful during this step not to cut yourself while removing the metal circle. It is very sharp. I may have learned this the hard way.
With your hammer, tap out the metal circle. Just hit the center of the circle and it should start popping out. Then, you will have to remove what is left still attached with your hand.
Step 4
After your circle is cut out, place the smaller part of your socket into the top of the lid. The fatter part should now be on the top and the smaller part is pushed through the lid. The socket screw should be a tight fit on the lid. If it is loose, it will not work properly and you will need to start over.
Push the smaller part of the socket down into the hole. The thicker part should now be showing on the top of the lid.
This is what it looks like on the bottom side of the lid. Remember, the socket screw should be snug on the lid.
Next, put the rim around the lid and you are all ready to hang your Mason Jars.
Step 5
Now you are ready to screw the socket onto the light. With the rim on, screw the socket onto the light all the way to the top.
Here is a view from the bottom side.
Step 6
Screw in your light bulbs. I recommend using Edison bulbs. They give off great light and look prettier than a normal light bulb.
Step 7
Now, screw your Mason Jar onto the rim until tight. I adjusted it to show the brand name or the front of the jar.
Here is the end result! This light added so much character to my farmhouse style bathroom. Love how it turned out!
Are you still with me? I know this was lots of explanation for something really simple. Seriously guys, the total project took me about 30 minutes to complete both lights. I hope my steps made sense and you enjoyed my Mason Jar light DIY. It really was such a super easy project. As always, please let me know if you have any questions, and let me know if you make one of these for your home. I would love to see your creation. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Brendt Blanks says
Good morning! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful and easy to tutorial! I am saving this to do when I get around to updating my daughters bathroom. Have a beautiful day my friend!
carissa says
Hey Brendt! That is so great you will be using this! It will look great in there! Thank you so much for letting me know you will be using this. Have a great day, and let me know if you have any questions!
Elaine says
Thank you so much for this wonderful idea. I hope to use this in our bathroom someday. I have a question. It looked to me like you also tapped holes in the lid to allow heat to escape…is this the case?
carissa says
Hi Elaine! I am so glad you like this idea! That is a great question. I did not poke any holes for heat to escape, but you could totally do that. I have had these lights up for about two years, and they have never felt or gotten too hot. I have even left them on all day accidentally and they were fine. It’s totally up to you if you want to add a few extra holes. Good luck if you decide to do this project! Thanks for stopping by!!!