DIY Guide: Making a Mason Jar Chandelier For Intermediate DIYers

Step 1: Preparing the Mason Jars Start by thoroughly cleaning the mason jars. Fill a sink with warm, soapy water and submerge the jars, letting them soak for a few minutes. Use a sponge or brush to scrub off any labels or adhesive residue, then rinse the jars thoroughly with clean water. Place the jars upside down on a clean towel and allow them to air dry completely. Next, prepare to drill holes in the lids. Set up your work area by placing a piece of scrap wood on your work surface to protect it, and put on safety goggles and gloves. Use a ruler to find the center of each mason jar lid and mark it with a pencil. Attach a glass drill bit to your drill, hold the lid securely on the scrap wood, and drill a hole in the center of each lid. Start drilling slowly to avoid cracking the glass, and make the hole large enough to fit the lamp socket or pendant light kit.

Step 2: Preparing the Frame Choosing your frame is the next step. Select either a metal chandelier frame or a wooden board based on your design preference. If you opt for wood, sand the board to remove any rough edges or splinters. If desired, apply paint or stain to the wooden board and let it dry completely before proceeding. With the frame prepared, plan the layout of your mason jars. Lay the jars on the frame to decide on the spacing and use a pencil to mark where each jar will be attached, ensuring they are evenly spaced.

Step 3: Wiring the Lights Begin by installing the lamp sockets. Push the lamp socket through the hole in each mason jar lid and follow the kit instructions to secure it in place. Once the sockets are installed, measure and cut the electrical wire to the desired length for each jar, allowing enough length to reach the frame. Use wire strippers to remove about 1/2 inch of insulation from the ends of the wires. Attach the stripped ends of the wires to the lamp sockets using wire connectors, ensuring the connections are tight and secure. Thread the wires through the holes in the frame. Before securing everything, it’s essential to test the electrical connections. Temporarily connect the chandelier’s main wire to a power source. Turn on the power and ensure all the lights work properly. If any lights do not work, check the connections and fix any issues.

Step 4: Assembling the Chandelier Attach the mason jars to the frame by screwing the lids with the installed sockets back onto the mason jars. Secure the mason jars to the frame using hooks or clamps, ensuring they are stable and evenly spaced. To mount the chandelier, secure the ceiling canopy to the ceiling, making sure it can support the chandelier’s weight. Connect the chandelier’s main wire to the ceiling electrical box, following proper electrical codes. Double-check all connections to ensure they are secure, and verify that the chandelier is firmly mounted to the ceiling. Finally, screw the light bulbs into each mason jar socket.

Step 5: Final Touches For the final touches, adjust the height of each mason jar to your preference, creating an even or staggered look. Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, restore power to the chandelier and enjoy your new rustic mason jar chandelier.