Mason Jar Lamp Tutorial

Mason jars are all the rage right now! Get ready to learn how to MAKE your own LAMP using one! This is an easy, simple, step-by-step tutorial, designed for even non-electricians. :D We even tell you where to get all the parts!

Use one of these beauties in your own home decor and add some down-home charm!

Now available in our Etsy Shop, Cabin Shabby Chic!! 

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Mason jar with wire bail
• Shade holder 3 1/4 inch.  {Got it here for $1.50} {This is also an option, save shipping by buying from one place} 
• Spray paint (optional)
• Bushing  {Got it here for 85 cents}
• Candelabra socket   {Got it here for 65 cents}
• Cord with plug and clicker switch  {Got it here for $2.50}
• Candelabra light bulb

Directions:

Find a wire bail Mason jar, if you don't already have one. You can find them at antique shops, thrift stores, yard sales and eBay. Make sure you have the kind of jar that has a wire bail and a rim at the top. Most "Ball" jars have the rim, but some "Atlas" jars don't. I bought a couple "Atlas" jars and didn't realize they wouldn't work for lamps. So a word to the wise! 

The lamp parts are easy to order and inexpensive! I got my supplies online from Grand Brass and TX Lamp Parts.  (I buy most of my parts from Grand Brass.)

• 1. You may want to spray paint the shade holder. We painted ours a nice oil-rubbed bronze. 
• 2. Thread the top part of the bushing onto the wire as shown. 
• 3. Thread the wire through the large center hole of the shade holder. 
• 4. Now put the bottom of the bushing onto the wire as shown. 

• 5. Carefully slide the cardboard cylinder off from the candelabra socket: you will need it again so don't ruin it. 
• 6.The silver metal circle on the end of the socket is called the hickey. Thread the wire through the circle of the hickey. 
• 7. Loosen the screws on the socket slightly, enough to get the wire behind the top of the screw. Bend the wire end into a "C" and wrap around the base of the screw. One on each side. 
• 8.Tighten the screw so the wire is snug. Screw the hickey onto the bottom piece of the bushing as shown.

• 9. Slide the bottom bushing piece up through the center hole of the shade holder.  
• 10. Screw the bushing pieces together with the shade holder in between them. The bushing is a strain relief so the wire doesn't have to take the weight of the jar. 
• 11.Carefully slide the cardboard piece back onto the base of the socket, covering the wires. This insulates the socket.  
• 12. Put in the candelabra bulb. 

TA-DAAAAA!!

Place the shade holder on top of the Mason jar so the screws on the side of the shade holder go over the rim at the top of the jar.  Carefully tighten the screws on the side of the shade holder and test to make sure it is securely holding the jar.

Plug in, switch it on and admire the glow that it adds to your special space!

Adventurous Mason Jar Lamp~Screw top Mason Jar

If you have the regular screw-top Mason jar, you can still make a lamp. It will just take one extra step. 

Basically, the lid can be the antique zinc lid or a regular one piece lid. You can spray paint the regular lid if you like.

The extra step.... you must drill a center hole in the lid. Using a power drill, make a hole in the center 7/16 inch in diameter.  Note: My husband did the drilling for me and he said that he started with a smaller hole and worked his way up.  The hole needs to be big enough to fit the bushing into it. 

Also... you need 4 air holes around the center hole. These should be smaller, about 1/4 inch in diameter. 

Don't worry if the zinc lid has a piece of white porcelain in it. (Some do and some don't.)  That needs to go so you can make the lamp. My husband drilled a small hole in the center and then took a sharp nail and hammered it so the porcelain would break. Then he threw the porcelain away. 

That's it! :) Continue with the above instructions for your Mason jar lamp.

Let us know how your lamp turned out. We would love to see pictures!

Now available in our Etsy Shop, Cabin Shabby Chic!! 

Happy decorating,

You will find us linked up at some of these fine sites.