DIY Mason Jar Oil Lamps: Simple to make and so beautiful. Perfect for a party, wedding centerpiece, or just in your home.
In these dark days of January, I thought a little light filled project would add some warmth and brightness. These Mason Jar Oil Lamps are pretty simple to put together, and are really, really pretty.
Today I’m joining with 11 other Canadian bloggers for the first in a year long series of 12 Months of DIY. #12MonthsofDIY Each month we’ll all be crafting with the same item, and coming up with 12 different ideas. The first challenge was mason jars. Be sure to scroll down to the end of the post for links to the other amazing mason jar projects.
Mason Jar Oil Lamp Materials:
- 3 different small mason jars with lids
- Paraffin Lamp Oil
- Nipples 1/8”
- Cotton Lamp Wick
- Couplings 1/8”
- Washers 1/8”
The paraffin lamp oil is clean burning and a good choice. The nipples and couplings can be found in the lighting parts department of your hardware store.
Instructions:
1. The first step in this project is to drill a hole in the mason jar lid. I found it a little tricky to get it centred, and found drilling a small hole first, and then the larger 1/8” one worked best. It still isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t need to be, so don’t worry.
2. Next, you thread the nipple through the hole, so it’s about half way through each side, and then add the washer and screw the coupling onto the top of the lid.
4. Cut a piece of the wick a little longer than the depth of your jar and thread it through the lid. Fill up your mason jar with lamp oil.
5. Now, screw on the lid, with just a little wick at the top. If the wick is too long, it will cause the lamp to smoke, in which case you can trim it shorter, or push it down to make it shorter. Wait a little while for your wick to soak up the oil before lighting the first time.
Mason Jar Oil Lamps
You could make these with any size mason jars you like, and there is even coloured lamp oil, if you prefer. I liked the clear oil with the glass.
I think they’d be really lovely as wedding centrepieces, and I think I’ll use mine for an upcoming party.
These should help me get through some of the long nights of winter a little more easily, with their warm cozy light.
With DIY Mason Jar Oil Lamps, life really is a party!
Now it’s time to see the rest of the DIY mason jar project ideas from my Canadian blogging friends.
From the top left, they are:
Upcycled Mason Jar Planter from Sustain My Craft Habit
Mason Jar Fairy Lights from Brooklyn Berry Designs
A Mason Jar Travel Cup from Fresh Crush
Mason Jar Oil Lamps from Life Is A Party
A Mason Jar Farmhouse Light from Vin’yet Etc.
How to Store Your Sewing Thread Stash in Mason Jars from Time With Thea
How to Turn Old Toys Into Snow Globes from Woman In Real Life
Hanging Mason Jar Craft Storage from The DIY Mommy
DIY Mason Jar Terrariums from New House New Home
Sewing Kit in a Mason Jar from Mommyzoid
These are awesome! I’ve always wanted to make some but just wasn’t sure how, this tutorial is perfect, I think I could handle making some of these, they’d even make great hostess gifts! Pinned!
Thanks Laurie.
Stunning! Simple! Creative! Love them. Wouldn’t they be pretty outside on a warm summer evening.
I’ll definitely be bustin these out come summer. Great idea 🙂
Heather, these would be perfect outside in the summer. Thanks.
Dannyelle
Aw…summer nights, can’t wait.
Dannyelle
These are so great! And they look so pretty the way you have presented them. I want to make some too!
Thanks Joann,
They’re pretty easy to put together.
best of luck,
Dannyelle
Such a great idea! And your pics…using wood slices, pine cones and birch bark…simply beautiful.
Thanks Sonja!
Oh, these are GORGEOUS! Now I really want to try making some – what a lovely thing to make for the chilly and dark winter months. Your photos are top notch too!
Thanks Christina, I’ve been working hard on my photography,so your compliment means a lot!
Thanks again,
Dannyelle
I was wondering if I used sent oil for oil lamps. Would that be ok?
Hi Kelly,
Scented lamp oil would be a great choice. Best of luck.
Dannyelle
Love these. I’ve always been a bit scared of trying to diy candles but you’ve made this look really easy. Good job 🙂
Thanks Emma, they’re super easy, for sure give them a try, and thanks for your comment.
Dannyelle
can I use olive oil instead?
Hi Jan, I’m not sure if olive oil would work, but the lamp oil works really, really well, so I’d go with it.
Best of luck,
Dannyelle
After lighting the wick and it burning a short time, oil started pudding on top of the jar lid. Any idea what I am doing wrong? I have everything tighten.
Hi Tanya,
I’m not sure what would be causing that, I’ve lit mine many times and never had that problem. The only thing I can think of is that your wick is too high. Perhaps try lowering it, or trimming it short.
Hope this helps,
Dannyelle
Love the project Dannyelle and I rally love the photography. When you think about it glass mason jars are hard to photograph and really are not stunning artifacts on their own. But your staging and photography skills made them look gorgeous! The flickering flames are beautiful. Well done! I love your style in all of your projects! You are so talented and so creative! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with in 2017. Best wishes!
how about citronella oil?
Hi Donna,
Yes, citronella oil should work great, and be great for keeping the bugs away outdoors.
Best of luck with it,
Dannyelle
Hi , i came across your web site as i am wanting to make similar lighting setups. I am in Brisbane Australia , but have not been able to locate anything like the nipples and couplings that you have shown in your photos for putting the wick through. Can you tell me if there is an internet shop that you are aware of , that i can order these items. Thanks Peter
Hi Peter,
Sorry I don’t have a source for you in Australia, but I would suggest a hardware store -if you haven’t looked there already.
Wishing you the best of luck,
Dannyelle
Hi! Just wondering where you found your wicks? I’m looking on Amazon and can’t seem to find any with good reviews. Thanks.
Hi Christy, I actually just picked mine up at the hardware store. As a tip you might not have known, you can search on Amazon for products with a rating of 4 or higher, it’s on the left side bar. Here’s a link to some higher rating options. http://amzn.to/2tckt7c Best of luck,
Dannyelle
Tap your intended hole with a punch, pre-drill with a small drill bit, and then use a 25/64 bit for your finish hole. You won’t need the washers, and your candles will look more professional. Don’t forget the nut for the bottom side. (photo available)
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your suggestions.
Dannyelle
How do you feed the wick. What I mean is the wick burns up, so how do you keep the wick burning .
Hi Jacque, I found the wick burned very slowly. To feed it, just before you light it you can pull a little more through as you need it, or push it up from the bottom. Do this before you light it. Hope this helps.
Best,
Dannyelle.