I’m sure you have also noticed the shelves of mason jars popping up in craft sections everywhere. Long have they been loved for home canning, creating everything from the sweetest jams to the most amazing sauces. Afterwards the left over jar saved for the next year’s canned good or used to store fresh flowers,  lost buttons, pocket change and more!

I am a home canner, although I wouldn’t say I’m all that great at it as I’ve also only ever made jams. If you have read my blog before than you know every year I make apple butter. It’s my husband’s favorite, plus makes an easy and well received gift at Christmas time. This year I decided to shake it up by making strawberry-rhubarb jam and pear butter. I also am planning on making a wine jelly. While the apple butter is my own recipe, originally from my husband’s family, the others I made this year come from various sources.

Now these well loved jars have suddenly been awakened and officially placed into the craft world. Or so I feel by the very recent influx of colored jars, lids and accessories made available in just these last two years. Forget using your old wire hangers to hang these, you can now easily find them.

Just earlier today I was browsing my local retail craft store, and paused in front of a display that used mason jars as candle holders. Next to the display they had hangers. A thought came immediately! I have been looking for something to hang in front of my house to replace the once beautiful flower baskets. I could make lanterns. A couple hours later, paused for lunch and to pick up the tiny tot from preschool, my project is finished and looks good. The close-up picture at the end was added to my pinterest, but here is the one with them on the house.

These are made very simply. Once you have the mason jar, you’ll need:

•  Burlap ribbon, I used 4.5 inches wide and chose orange to bring out the tiny orange pumpkins Q insisted we buy
• Baker’s twine(any cotton yarn will do)
• Hot glue
• Jar hanger(optional)

To make them measure out enough ribbon to wrap around the jar. Wrap the ribbon around the jar tightly and secure to itself with hot glue. Using the twine, wrap it around the jar as many times as you would like. I also secured it with hot glue before I tied a knot. Add the jar hanger. Finish by adding candles, or flowers and enjoy!

Mine are seen from quite a distant so I wasn’t very picky about how I wrapped either the ribbon or twine. If I were intending them as table decoration I would have made the seams a bit nicer than they appear in the following close up picture.