Repurposing or upcycling old items from around the house is really nothing new. Things like old furniture parts, lids and jars have been used for all sorts of things from end tables to wine glasses. However, the recent trend has been using old household items to achieve that countryside rustic look.
One of the most common items being repurposed though has got to be the mason jar. Originally used solely for canning and pickling, mason jars are now being used as everything from drinking glasses to candle holders. Because of their humble origin, they practically embody the rustic spirit.
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Beginning with a mason jar, we used some affordable items and a little bit of ingenuity to craft a hanging light that looks like it belongs in a trendy restaurant or bar.
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Using a large mason jar, a light bulb, a simple cord light and some everyday tools, you can craft one too. The best part is, the tools you need are common in any household and you don't need any sort of expertise or skill for the construction.
First, remove the lid and the band from the jar and set them aside.
Wrap the top third of the jar in twine, securing it with hot glue as you go.
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Trim off any excess twine.
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Set aside and let dry while you work on the mason lid.
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Depending on the size of the light you're using, you'll trace the shape out on the lid of the mason jar. Using a nail, you can begin perforating along the line you trace out, and use pliers or some strong scissors to cut out the shape.
Alternatively, if you have the tools on hand and are handy, you can use a saw to cut out the shape. We chose this route for speed. Ensure the lid is probably clamped down onto a solid surface before doing this for safety purposes. When using power tools, always make sure to read the safety instructions first.
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Once you've got the main hole cut out, it should look like this.
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Place a line of permanent craft adhesive around the inside edge of the mason jar band.
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Press the flat lid into place inside the band.
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Thread the hanging pendant light cord through the hole in the top of the lid.
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Use the permanent craft adhesive to glue it to the lid.
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Screw a light bulb into the socket and put the lid back onto the jar.
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Here, we use normal white light bulb, but you could theoretically use a colored light bulb to switch things up a bit too.
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