this week's magical mason monday feature is all about the mason jar chandelier. similar to the hanging lanterns featured last month, the chandelier is a cluster of lit mason jars, suspended overhead. whether hung over a formal dining table, a tree branch, an outdoor pergola, or the kitchen sink, it's definitely a conversation piece!
whether lit by battery-operated LED votives like here:
or hardwired like the exeter pendant for sale from PB:
here are some basic instructions for constructing your own chandelier, regardless of light source.
what you'll need:
mason jars WITH lids. pick a size + quantity to suit you. personally, i prefer odd-numbered groupings.
ceiling light plate
if going the hardwired route: you'll need a hanging lamp kit [like this one] for each of your mason jars + a low-wattage lightbulb for each jar [vintage if you prefer, like these]
if going the LED route: you'll need a sturdy twine or other string + a battery-operated votive for each jar
for the hardwired version:
1. remove the lid of each mason. use a hammer and nail [or larger punch] to punch a hole in each lid, equal in diameter to the width of your lamp kit's cord.
2. with a light bulb in one hand, feed the cord through the mason jar lid. tighten the lid onto the jar. you can use the kit's tension clasps to keep the bulb where you want it. repeat for each jar.
3. drill holes in your ceiling plate [either a single hole large enough to fit the multiple cords, or individual holes for each jar's cord]. do not drill a hole too big, as the cords will slip through + come crashing down!!
5. install + enjoy. if you aren't electrically qualified, you may want to have an electrician install the light fixture.
for the battery-operated version:
1. remove the lid of each mason. use a hammer and nail [or larger punch] to punch a hole in each lid, equal in diameter to the width of your twine.
2. feed the twine through the mason jar lid. tighten the lid onto the jar. you can knot the twine on either side of the lid to keep it in place. repeat for each jar.
3. place a glue dot on the bottom of your battery-operated votive. place in the bottom of each jar, pressing down to secure.
4. drill holes in your ceiling plate [either a single hole large enough to fit the multiple lengths of twine, or individual holes for each jar's twine ]. do not drill a hole too big, as the twine will slip through + come crashing down!!
5. pull all of the twine through the hole until you have each jar at its desired length from the ceiling. once you've perfected your cluster, tie a large knot in the twine to prevent them from slipping through the ceiling plate.
6. install + enjoy. this version will require you to access the battery lights in order to turn them on/off + occasionally swap out the batteries. be sure to install in an easy-to-access place + at an accessible length.
enjoy!
