DIY Mason Jar Lamp

A few weeks ago a girlfriend and I went out to the local flea market mainly looking for inspiration, and some kind of junk gold when I happened upon this lamp.

This particular lamp was a little ugly but what a great idea this was! So before I left the flea market I was sure to pick up an antique Mason Jar.

In order to make this mason jar into a lamp, I needed to pick up a couple things. First, and most important a lamp kit. I got mine from Home Depot for under $10. I also needed a Diamond Drill Bit to drill threw glass and some spray paint. Both of which I already had.

All that was left to buy was something to fill the mason jar with. I decided to go with glass beads. I got four bags from the Dollar Tree for $1 each but I needed more so I ended up making a last minute trip to WallyWorld to pick up some clear ones too.

When I took the lid off of the jar I was surprised to find a layer of glass inside the lid. This was no problem though. I just took a hammer and gave it one good hit and it shattered and fell right out.

Then I sent the husband out to the garage with the lid to put a hole in it.

The hole ended up being a little bigger then I needed so I added the little donut looking piece that came in the lamp kit. (One of these days I'll learn what all these things are called)

Since I'm not to fond on shiny gold, I decided to take the lamp pieces as well as the jar lid outside to give it a couple coats of paint. I used Rust-oleum Ultra Cover in Heirloom White.

While the paint was drying I focused my attention on putting a small hole in the jar to put the power cord threw.

I used the 3/8" Diamond Drill bit to take care of this. I learned previously that it is best to drill threw glass with water. I turned my sink on a slow stream and ran the water over the jar while drilling. I started drilling at an angle until it started to indent, then I moved my drill straight on and finished drilling.

Once the paint was dry I was ready for assembly! I started by stringing the power cord threw the hole in the glass. Then I added some of the beads so that it would hold the power cord in place while I was working on the top.

For the top, I had to do some minor assembly. I put the screw and washer under the lid, then the donut looking thing on top if the lid and screwed the base of the light bulb holder (I swear I'm going to look up the real terms) on the screw. I then ran the power cord threw the screw and up into the light bulb holder.

At this point I finished filling the jar with glass beads and screwed on the lid. I wired the top part of the light bulb holder and put it all together.

All I had left to do was add a light bulb, a lamp shade, and plug it up!

If you love this idea but don't feel confident drilling holes in the glass, or assembling the lamp I recently found this neat Mason Jar Adapter.