Mason Jar Solar lights for my back deck!
First things first I have to admit that I actually ended up NOT using my Grandma’s old mason jars for this project. Instead, I used some of her other jars that were much smaller and easier to get my hand in. You’ve probably already seen this project floating around the internet and pinterest, solar mason jar lights is definitely not a new idea. However, I had a bit of a problem with the mason jar solar lights tutorials I’ve seen online. Every tutorial I’ve read had you cut a square out of the lid and attach the solar light to the lid. This always bothered me, it seemed like then wouldn’t the jar fill with water and become all nastiness? So, I got to work on my own design. Why not flip the jars over and glue the top of the light to the bottom of the jar instead?
I went to walmart and found the solar lights for 97 cents a piece and then headed to Ace for the pipe clamps and outdoor adhesive. Then, it was a trip out to the barn to check out my stash of jars from my Grandma. At first I was going to use Mason Jars (so iconic and so much coolness) but it turned out they were a bit big and very hard for me to get my hand in. I also didn’t really want to use my Grandma’s mason jars for this project anyway, I would rather use them inside where they would be safer. So, I grabbed some smaller, matching jars that came with bonus bright green lids that happen to match the fabric on my outdoor furniture. (My mom tells me they’re just plain old pickle jars but I still love them.)
Remember to remove the tags on your solar lights or they won’t light up! I added a big dollop of adhesive around the solar panel of each light and then flipped it over and glued it right into the bottom of the jars. It was simple and easy and I didn’t even get much glue on myself! Here they are, all lined up on my kitchen counter.
The adhesive said to give it 24 hours so I just left them there like that for a couple of days before I hung them. These pipe clamps are serious business, I had to use a hammer and nail to make a hole large enough to fit a regular screw. I read online to buy “thin” screws for this project, lol, if they do sell screws thin enough to easily fit through those slats I certainly am not going to be using them outside where they need to hold up the the elements.
On my deck I chose to leave several posts eight feet tall (about every twelve feet) for hanging plants, bird feeders and, now, my solar jar lights 🙂
I’m very happy with how this project turned out! All in each one cost me (because the jars were free) less then $2! It was easy and I think they really add something to my back deck! I may have to add them to my front posts too because they’re just so darned cute!
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I’m Tarah!
It’s been a hell of a ride since I started this blog and renovated and moved into this old farm house back in 2015. I got married, divorced, lost my doggo soul mate, spent two years as a single gal, remodeled everything, threw my back out countless times and was even found by an amazing guy in my own backyard! (The story behind Storyhardt Farm.)
Around here we’re totally fearless when it comes to bettering our home. We love to refinish old furniture, re-purpose old pieces, build it from scratch and totally renovate anything that needs it! If we can do it – so can you. We’ve got some serious plans for this old farm and, for first time ever, I have a real partner!
This is gonna be so much fun!
You can also find out more about the amazing Grandma behind this blog who moved in to this old farmhouse with my Grandpa nearly 70 years ago!
What size of pipe clamps did you buy? Can’t wait to do this project!
Hi Linda I’m thinking that they must have been 5 inch hose clamps that I used because they were much bigger then they needed to be. I bought the largest they had available at Ace hardware because I was thinking at the time I was going to be using Mason Jars and the pickle jars I ended up using were quite a bit smaller. So I would say choose your jars first then go buy hose clamps to fit! 🙂
Thanks so much for the info! I’m going to do this and I think I will add some hot glued stones to the glass for some extra pizazz. This is just THE BEST IDEA EVER!! Thanks so much for sharing this idea how it is done!
Linda, now that is a great idea! I also heard someone mention in the comments that they were planning on spray painting the lids and the hose clamps with bronze rustoleum spray paint – that would look nice too I think! Thanks!
Where did you find those lights?
My Walmart did not know what they were.
Hi Laurie, the little solar lights were in the garden center at my local walmart. They are called “solar path lights” and sell for about 97 cents a piece. They come on little plastic stakes that I had already removed in the picture. Hope that helps!
Check another walmart or in the garden section – I just bought these yesterday at my walmart, though they were $1.97 each. There is a whole solar light section in their garden area.
In answer to the question of where to get the lights, MOST Dollar Tree stores carry them too.
Thanks!
This is an amazing post and incredible solar mason jar. You are such a sweetheart for sharing this awesome post virtually. This solar mason jar is cool stuff for backyards and garden.
Thanks John!
What happens when the lights burn out? How do you replace them?
Hi Vicki, I found with a little elbow grease you can remove them (depending on the glue you use) and replace them like that 🙂 Thanks!
Could they be used without the jar lids?
It seems there would be more light that way
Of course! The reason I opted to put the lids on was just to keep creepy crawlies out of there, seemed like a perfect spot for a spider to make his home 😉
Thanks…that makes sense. Didn’t think of those critters.
I love this project. I’m suggesting that you glue the lights to the cover instead of the bottom of the jars in case you have to adjust the lights for any reason
Good idea Jen! I’ll have to try that next time!
So much easier than cutting out the lid, Tarah! You are SO clever. I’d love to have some of these on my deck. Thanks for sharing your insights at Vintage Charm 🙂
Hi Diana, thank you!!
Hi, I love this ideal. I bought the mason jars because I don’t do pickles. Well I did one as a tester and learned this.. The mason jar is a little curved (not a flat bottom) so I used outdoor double sided tape with outdoor glue to attach the solar light. Trying not to get the glue on the charging area. And it lasted for about a month. Then the weather cooled down at night. And the jar got condensation and the glue let go. So I’ll be making a few holes in the lid (very small) to solve that problem.
Question: Did you place your glue over the charging area? Also what glue did you use. Thank you for you time.
Hi Mary, we used Indoor/Outdoor adhesive made by Ace. I put a dollop of glue around the solar panel but because it was clear I wonder if it might have been just fine to put it right on the charging panel? I should try testing that. The bottom of the pickle jars were pretty darned flat and after gluing them I let them dry for over two days before flipping them over. We had a VERY hot summer for northern MN, temperatures in the triple digits but, despite that and now some very cold nights, I have had only one light come unglued so far! It seems like something more serious like liquid nails or just plain outdoor silicone would probably work better but I couldn’t find any of it in a small tube.
Thanks for coming by!
What a great idea!! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party!
Thank you so much Helen!
What a wonderful way to use these jars!! Thank you for sharing this idea at Tuesdays with a Twist! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thanks for coming by Marci!
Tarah, these solar lights are fantastic!! I like your design so that the jar stays clean. They look great!!
Thank you so much Keri!
This is so cute and rustic. I really love this look. Great job.
Thank you Melissa!!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful post at #OverTheMoon. I look forward to what you will share next week! Do something special. Give yourself a standing ovation today! We hope you’ll come back again next Sunday when we open our doors at 6:00 PM EST. “Like” someone in person today!
Thank you so much Marilyn, as always!
How CUTE! I have tried making Mason Jar solar lights in the past, but something always goes wrong. The last bunch I made were not water-proof, and now I have Mason jars full of rain water…needless to say the lights no longer work. Have you had trouble with water getting in yours?
Hi Heidi, these are totally water proof! It always bothered me when I saw DIY jar lights online because it seemed like they would always fill with water, that’s why I flipped these over! So, the jar is bottom side up 🙂 so they don’t leak at all! Thanks for coming by!
I have never tried making my own solar lights. What a clever idea! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
They were SO easy! Thanks!
This is a great idea and I love how easy they are to make. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party. It’s great having you. Have a great week.
Thanks Vanessa, have a great week!
Those solar lights look amazing! I try to stay away from Pinterest as much as possible so I can still feel like I’m doing an okay job at life, so I hadn’t seen this idea before.
#happynowlinkup
lol oh Jenny, I know exactly what you mean about Pinterest! So much of the traffic I get for this blog though comes from Pinterest so I have an excuse that I have to be on there!
Oh, they’re so awesome Tarah. I don’t think I’ve ever seen those solar lights here in Australia. I must look out for them. They’d look so good in my garden. Thanks so much for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays. Always lovely to catch up each week. I’m featuring this post at tomorrow’s party.
Anne @ Domesblissity
Anne, thank you so much!!
How cool are these? I am definitely making some of these for my deck. 🙂
Thanks Tracey!!
Very cool! They sound much more cost effective and easier to put up than the cafe lights we installed a couple years ago!
Thank you for stopping by!!
I’m seeing lots of holiday versions of this also. Great idea and thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story link party and have a great weekend.
Thank you Sandra!
OH I just LOVE these!!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thank you!!
Tarah, I did something very similar for our gazebo. We needed a lighted path to get out there because it’s so far away from the house. I attached them to the pine tree trunks and they look so pretty when they light up at night xo
Oh I bet they’re just lovely on the trees! Great idea!
This is a great idea…I will be doing this…thank you!
Thanks for coming by Beverly, it was such a fun and easy project!
Super cool idea! I wish I was that crafty! Maybe I will give that a try this summer.
Ken,
Blogger’s Pit Stop
Thanks Ken!
These are GREAT! I’ve tried making Mason jar solar lights before, but mine totally bombed. That’s because I had the lid on top, and precipitation got inside the jars, ruining them! I’ll be turning them upside down and clamping them next time! Thanks!
Thanks Heidi! That’s exactly what I was thinking when I flipped them over!
These are so great! I love the lights glued to the top of the jar too. It looks beautiful and much better protected. Thanks for sharing at the Wednesday Showcase party.
Thank you Kati!
Great idea!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Karen!
These are so neat. I just love anything with mason jars.
Thank you Tracy!
These look really good Tarah. I love the clunky old pickle jars as well. Vintage mason jars are too valuable to be left outside in the weather, I agree with you.
Very cool simple project that must make a big difference to your yard.
Thank you Leanna!
Those are adorable! What a great way to add some ambient light. Would be perfect in our backyard. Pinning this! 🙂
Thank you Jamie!
Ooh, such a simple idea, but they turned out so cute! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you so much Lexie!
These are beyond cool! Thanks for sharing on the Homestead Blog Hop, we really enjoy your projects!
Thank you so much for coming by and commenting!
Love these. I think I might have to make some for our garden too. #dreamteam
Thanks for coming by, have a great week!
Oh, we have solar lights in our garden but I love the idea of homemade alternatives that are fairly easy to make. Thanks for sharing #dreamteam
Thanks for coming by Chloe!
Thos are really cute! I can see us using these at our camp. What a great idea! #dreamteam
Thanks for coming by Tracy, have a great week!
These look great and a really cheap and easy idea. #dreamteam
Thanks Sophie, have a great week!
Wow, they look great. I bet they’re really useful too!
#DreamTeam
Thanks Morgan, have a great week!
These look great, and really easy too! Thanks for sharing with #DreamTeam
Thanks Louise!
I love that you found a way to improve on the tutorial version. And I don’t blame you a bit for wanting to save your grandmother’s jars for an inside use.
Thanks Michele, have a great rest of your week!
This is such an awesome idea! #DreamTeam
Thank you Heather!
That’s a very creative solution. Thank you for sharing the inspiration and the tutorial at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!
Thanks for coming by, have a great week!
OMG! I want to do this NOW! I have to get the materials. We could all make them and light up our backyard! I LOVE thIs! Thanks so much! #dreamteam xoxo
Thanks so much Lisa!
I made the Mason jar solar lights last summer. I put 6 on my front porch concrete stairs to be able to see them at night. All the things I make HAVE to have a use. I live in TN and our summers are scorching. I had used E6000 and hot glue on them. Within 3 days, they had melted apart. I love your idea. And I have TONS of pickle jars. I’m going to try it this week!
Hi Charity – that’s what I was worried about too! Even here in northern MN rarely will glue last outside for very long. Sometimes when it gets really cold that’s when the glue will give out too! I hope these work for you we’re still enjoying ours – happy fall!