How to Make a Mason Jar Light

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How to Make a Mason Jar Light

Sean Reid

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Step 1 of 25

A step by step tutorial on how to make a pottery barn inspired mason jar light. All supplies can be found at your local hardware store in the lighting repair section.

Step 2 of 25

DISCLAIMER: I am not an electrician and cannot assume responsibility if you burn your house down trying to follow these instructions. Hire someone if you feel uneasy about this.

Step 3 of 25

Cut wire to around 4 feet

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Use wire stripper to split the plastic coating and reveal the wire underneath.

Step 5 of 25

Pull wire through the keyless socket and tie the wire in a knot to hold in place.

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Step 7 of 25

Separate the wire onto each side of the keyless socket.

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Loosen the screws wrap the wire around clockwise and tighten the screw.

Step 9 of 25

Replace cardboard wrap to protect the wires.

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Time to cut the lids for the mason jar. Using the 11/32 drill bit drill a whole in the center of the lid.

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Step 12 of 25

Paint if you please.

Step 13 of 25

Screw the nipple into the lid.

Step 14 of 25

Thread the wire through the nipple and screw the nipple into the keyless socket.

Step 15 of 25

I found a lighting kit at my local hardware store that had these washers in it. I used them here to add a better look.

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Male sure you drill holes in the lid to release the heat from the bulbs. I used a 5/32 drill bit here.

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Step 18 of 25

Screw in the lightbulb. I used 25w chandelier bulbs. Complete!

Step 19 of 25

To mount the lights I used a 3' price of ebony wood I found in my fathers basement. I used a router and after hours of cutting I was able to get a dip in the wood where I could make all the connection

Step 20 of 25

Pull the wire through the holes drilled in the wood and at your desired height tie the wire in a knot to hold in place.

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Step 22 of 25

To wire all the lights together I connected two lights at a time to a pigtail wire and continued until I got down to one connection.

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Step 24 of 25

Here I connected the final wire to a plug to test. Yay! It works.

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Connect the same wire to the wires in the ceiling mount the wood to the I beams in the ceiling. Enjoy!

You're Done

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Sean Reid

Chef from Toronto

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14 Comments

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12 1l Mason jar

1 5/32 drill bit

1 11/32 drill bit

12 Hex nuts

50 Feet 18-2 Wire

12 Steel nipples

12 Key less sockets

Pretty!

Sarah M💋 8 months ago

Do you use a transformer to make a 12v?will be more safe

Eric Yang 11 months ago

This is really cool. Nice work!

Jeff Seal last year

About how much did all the supplies for this project cost?

Shands Pemberton last year

Lovely :) x

Mickey Ralph last year

Amazing

Steve Osborn last year

This idea is awesome I agree with the barbecue. This would look awesome on the patio. I do appreciate the safety tips from garret as I am also not an electrician

Tom Heck last year

That was fantastic! Thanx

Leighla 💜🎃🌱🌵🐑🌻💜 last year

I agree with Shine mixing the authors ingenuity and Garrett's warning with some handy googled tutorials on electrical assembly, plus taking into account where u will use them this can be altered and adjusted for your safety level. A once or twice for a cpl hours usage here n there won't require huge safety precautions. But altering to hanging higher n by chain out of little kid reaches. Buying grommets and such if your say using nightly on a back porch as fake fireflies in a jar effect. Would make this a brilliantly affordable an easy way to get a gorgeous effect. Ty both!

Cara Fulford last year

This really does look like a fun project and I appreciated the authors statement in the beginning that whatever happens, it's at our own risk... after all, he clearly stated that he is NOT an electrician. In turn I have to appreciate the warnings and tips that Garrett brings to the table because you know those lights are going to look awesome lit up at the next summer BBQ and I'd rather be safe than sorry when it comes to curious children in awe over those bright lights and have the unthinkable happen. All in all, with some safety precautions added this is a super cool idea! Thanks for sharing :-)

Shine W last year

Oh okay :) its always good to be cautious but people oughta know itll still be their risk they're taking

Claudia Guerra last year

Garrett, he did claim that this is all on whoever wants to do it. He's not responsible for anybody's mistakes. I actually would love to try this! :) it sounds so fun and interesting

Claudia Guerra last year