Hanging Mason Jar Lanterns - DIY Wedding Craft {Video}

I know I'm not the only one who has a crush on mason jars. Mason jars are huge in arts and crafts and in DIY weddings, especially right now...in case you have been living under a rock.

Ever since I saw these cute customizable mason jar save-the-dates  I knew I wanted to incorporate mason jars into my someday wedding, even though that was a couple of years ago and I wasn't actually even engaged yet... So yeah,  I totally had a crush on them first ;)

I thought it might be easier to make a video showing the step-by-step process than just take a zillion boring photos of me looping wire that may or may not really make sense. Plus, I like making videos.

For my hangers in this video, I used some electrical wire (Romex) reclaimed from the trash pile after we installed a new ceiling fan. It's perfect for all kinds of crafts, and it's solid copper! But if you don't happen to have any of this stuff lying around, you can find 12 gauge (or 14 gauge would work too) wire in your choice of metals at the craft store or at the hardware store.

I believe the mouths of mason jars are a standard size, but just for reference I am using the quart sized jars.

There's a complete list of tools and supplies after the video. (If you're on a mobile device and can't see the embedded video, you can watch this Mason Jar Lantern How To on YouTube.) Enjoy!



TOOLS & SUPPLIES:
• mason jars
• for each mason jar - 26 inches of 12 or 14 gauge wire (copper, brass, or colored craft wire)
• heavy duty wire cutters ( I use floral cutters)
• round nosed pliers

I'd love to hear what you think about this project. Leave me a note!

 I linked up at: 

Adorable Mason Jar Themed Save - the - Dates and Postage Stamps

I am so excited to get my save the date custom printed magnets from Zazzle last week! I fell in love with this design a couple of years ago and had it pinned to my Pinterest Wedding board. (Yes, I had a wedding board long before I was engaged. And thank goodness I was presumptuous enough to start early, or I'd be about 3 years behind!!) 

Then I forgot all about it until a couple of weeks ago when I was frantically looking for another pin, as is becoming more and more common these days. I think we all fell into that trap, didn't we? We believed them when they told us it was a convenient way to keep track of bookmarks and stuff to save for later. Well, it's a little too convenient if you ask me. Every time I sign on to Pinterest to look for something I've already saved, I end up saving a gazillion more things and forgetting what I was looking for in the first place. Oh well. It sure is fun!  

Anyway, ever the procrastinator and feeling the weight of too little time + so much to do + my little angel on my shoulder reminding me to "keep it simple, stupid!", I decided to toss out all my most recent crazy photobooth obsessed Save the Date ideas right out the window. (But don't worry! I still have plans for a DIY photobooth at the reception. I'll let ya know how that goes!)

After I customized my adorable Save the Dates, I couldn't help but splurge on the matching Mason Jar with Fireflies custom postage stamps. How cute are these?? You put the wedding date right on them!!

I could not be more happy with the quality of these custom printed items. I was really hesitant to order the full quantity without seeing one in person first, but I read the reviews and felt comfortable enough to just go for it. They are awesome!! I will be ordering these matching mason jar & fireflies wedding invitations soon :)

I had always had in mind that I would make some mason jar hanging lanterns if I had an outdoor wedding, and when I saw these I just knew it was right. I don't know that I can pull off fireflies in October, but I think some lovely little flickering lights will do the trick. I will be sure to post the tutorial as soon as they're done!

If you're looking for any kind of custom printing with NO minimum, then be sure to check out Zazzle.com. You can upload your own images or choose from thousands of customizable templates for tons of products, ranging from t-shirts to neckties and coffee mugs as well as awesome wedding invitations and postage stamps!!