I came across a post this weekend on The Hand Me Down House on how to make solar lights out of mason jars. You may recall that I did a post several weeks ago on this as well (see Mason Jar Lights). Despite the fact that we don’t really have a yard, I still really want to make these. After looking at the various methods I think I’ve settled on this one.
Here’s what you’ll need:
1 Box of wide mouth mason jars (12 jars for around $8)
Outdoor Mod Podge
Food coloring
Paint brush and paper towels
Solar lights (found at your local hardware store)
Step 1: Pour about a 1/4 cup of Outdoor Mod Podge onto a plastic plate and add 5 – 7 drops (depending on how light or dark you want your color) of food coloring. Note: Hand Me Down House used McCormick’s Neon Food Coloring. Mix together with a paint brush then paint the jars and let sit for 2 minutes.
Step 2: Take a paper towel and crumple it up. Dip it into the Mod Podge mixture and stipple the jar until you get the desired look. The color will seem bright at first but will mellow after it seals.
Step 3: Once the jars are dry, add the solar lights. Twist off the light fixture leaving the solar top and light. Insert the solar top in the jar and voila, it’s complete!
Step 4 (optional): if you’d like to make it a hanging light you can wrap wire around the lid & hang it.
Here are a few photos of the final product.
Don’t they look great? Since the weather has switched from chilly to tropical here in DC I have a growing urge to do outdoor projects. After I order some of the outdoor mod podge online I will definitely be making these–even if I don’t have a yard. So which member of my family wants to test these out after I make them? 
Have you tried making solar lights yet?
UPDATE: I made these and though they originally looked great, the paint came off after it rained. Booo!
All photos courtesy The Hand Me Down House.
