Last Updated on September 2, 2024 by Team Ideas24
Solar light mason jar are definitely cute during nighttime. Admit it, seeing it in the pictures makes you smile already! Now, why not make a few for yourself? :)
You can always make cool crafts that involve DIY lights in jars, and they are always so much fun. This is why we are always looking for ways to transform these jars at home. The perfect lighting decor can be made out of mason jars – what an excellent idea!
You can make these DIY lights in jars for free and create a fascinating and mystical background in your backyard or patio!
DIY Solar Lights in Jars are fantastic outdoor displays. Why not make your own fast and easy solar-powered lights in jars?
Contents
Crafting a Solar Light
Materials
- Solar lights; the silver-topped ones show through the jar a little less
- Jar with Clamp Style Lid
- Glass Frosting Spray
- AA 2300mAh rechargeable; NiMh Energizer battery holds more power
- Stained Glass or Window Paint
- Newspaper
- 2-4 popsicle sticks or toothpicks
- Loctite Repair Extreme Adhesive
- Phillips screwdriver
Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox.
Instructions
1. Clean the jars
Spread the newspaper in your work area. It would be ideal for you to do this outdoors.
Clean the jar by wiping it with a clean dry cloth. Turn the jar upside down on top of the popsicle sticks.
2. Frost the jars
Frost the jar for a glowing effect. Make sure you keep the lid away or covered while spraying. Hold the spray paint about six inches far and apply evenly. You will barely see what is happening with the glass while you are spraying; don’t stay too long and wait until you really see the paint because you will only have to coat it lightly. It’s easier to do a second coating than try to repair drip marks. Let it dry completely.
3. Prepare the solar lights
Unscrew the solar lights from their plastic bulb. Replace the battery with your new battery.
4. Attach the lights to the jars
Lay the jar lid upside down on a flat surface. Use adhesive to stick the light, making sure that you placed it correctly so that it can receive sunlight through the glass lid. Set it aside overnight to dry completely.
5. Paint the bulbs
For the color of your lights, simply paint the tiny bulbs with stained glass paints using a toothpick.
6. Expose the jar to the sun
Close the jar, clamping it. Leave it where sunlight can reach it, and see it glow in the dark!
Those are all the steps we covered in our tutorial on DIY lights in a jar! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed making solar-powered jar lights.
During the day, place the jars in a sunny location to charge. After darkness falls, the jars will begin to emit light. Having them on your patio at night will certainly set the mood.
Cute, attractive, and stunning. Best to welcome your guests at night on the patio, backyard, or even on your balcony.
You can use them indoors as well — my kids actually use them as night lights in their bedrooms. Take your time and enjoy the process!
Thanks to Put it in a Jar for this great project!
Decorating Tips for Personalizing Solar Jar Lights
Adding personal touches to your DIY solar jar lights not only makes them unique but also allows you to express your creativity. Whether you’re planning to light up your garden for a special occasion or just want to add a splash of personality to your space,
here are several decorating tips that will help you personalize your solar lights effectively.
Choose Your Colors
Select paints and decorations that reflect your personal style or match the theme of your space where the solar lights will be displayed. You can use glass paints to add vibrant colors to the jars themselves, or choose colored ribbons and fabrics to decorate the outside. Adding color can transform the ambiance created by your solar jar lights, making them a focal point of decoration.
Add Textures
Incorporating different textures can enhance the visual appeal of your solar jar lights. Consider wrapping the jars with twine or burlap for a rustic look, or use delicate lace to create a more elegant appearance. Textured materials not only add depth but also influence how the light filters through the jar, creating interesting patterns of light.
Use Stencils for Patterns
Using stencils is a great way to add sophisticated patterns to your solar jar lights. You can either paint over the stencil directly onto the glass or apply a frosting spray to achieve a more subtle effect. Choose patterns that complement your outdoor furniture or the overall theme of your decor. This can turn each light into a piece of art that enhances the solar light’s glow.
Incorporate Nature
For those who love a natural look, decorating your solar jar lights with elements from nature such as shells, pebbles, or dried flowers can be very appealing. These materials can be glued around the jar or placed inside transparent layers. They beautifully complement the natural, soft light from your solar lights, especially in garden settings.
By following these decorating tips, you can transform simple solar jar lights into stunning, personalized decor items that reflect your style and enhance the ambiance of your surroundings. Each custom touch will make your solar lights not only a source of light but also a highlight of your decor.
Advanced Modifications for Solar Jar Lights
For those who like challenges and want to improve their works, turning simple do-it-yourself solar jar lights into sophisticated, feature-rich lamps can be an interesting endeavour. These sophisticated changes will improve the functionality and appearance of your solar lights, so transforming them not only from beautiful but also rather remarkably flexible.
Adding Color-Changing LED Lights
Including color-changing LED lights into your solar jar lights is among the most dramatic changes you can do. These LEDs can be set to change colours either randomly or in a pattern and hooked to the current solar light battery. This addition not only gives your lights a dynamic visual component but also lets you create the ambience fit for various events. Both readily available online and easy to install, a basic RGB LED strip and a controller can be used.
Integrating Light Sensors
Light sensors that will automatically turn your solar jar lights on at dusk and off at dawn could help to improve their energy efficiency. This change guarantees that your solar lights only turn on when necessary, so extending the battery life and keeping efficiency. Your lights will run independently depending on the ambient light levels once light sensors are soldered into the solar panel’s current circuit and with some basic programming.
Waterproofing for All-Weather Use
If you plan to use your solar jar lights outdoors throughout the year, waterproofing is a crucial modification. You can seal the lids and any openings with silicone sealant to prevent water from entering the jars. Additionally, ensure that the solar panel is also adequately sealed against moisture. This enhancement not only extends the life of your solar lights but also maintains their performance during adverse weather conditions.
Motion Detection Capabilities
Adding a motion sensor to your solar jar lights can turn them into effective security lights or simply ensure they light up when someone is passing by. This feature is particularly useful for pathway lighting or in garden areas where you need illumination upon approach. You can purchase a small motion sensor module and integrate it with the solar light’s circuitry. This setup can help conserve energy as the lights will only activate when needed.
Solar Panel Upgrades
For those who find that their solar lights are not as bright or long-lasting as desired, upgrading the solar panel may be a beneficial modification. Larger and more efficient panels can be fitted onto the lids of the jars to capture more sunlight, which is especially useful during winter months with fewer daylight hours. This will improve the charging capacity and performance of your solar lights.
Remote Control Functionality
To add a modern twist and convenience to your solar jar lights, incorporate a remote control system. This modification allows you to turn the lights on and off from a distance, change light colors, or adjust brightness levels, depending on the type of LEDs you have installed. Remote control kits can be integrated into the lighting system with minimal wiring and setup.
Creating a Networked Lighting System
An ambitious but worthwhile project for the tech-savvy is building a networked lighting system whereby all of your solar jar lights can interact and be controlled from a central point. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi modules will enable you to control all of your lights from a smartphone app.
Battery Backup System
Think about including a backup secondary battery system for your solar lights if you want more dependability. This guarantees that your lights will continue to be working even on cloudy days or over long stretches of low sunlight. The current configuration can be coupled with a basic battery pack with a switch to turn between the backup as required and the solar-charged battery.
These sophisticated changes will make your solar jar lights not only more flexible and efficient but also a major component of the smart technology in your house. These improvements will make your solar lights not only attractive but also essential components of the security systems and lighting in your house.
If you liked this project, you might also like to view DIY Galaxy Jars…
