I saw a page online about making your own moon jars. These are simply a solar cell cannibalized from a solar yard light, glued into the lid of a jar, and then the jar is either frosted or lined with tracing paper. The result is a beautiful glow that never needs to be plugged in. I examined the instructions and decided to adapt the idea to items I found in a local discount store.
I bought a couple of the small yard lights and a couple of frosted votive candle holders. It just so happens that the solar lights are the exact size as the opening in the candle holders. I remove the light assembly from the holder and then used hot glue to affix it to the top of the candle holder. Voila! Beautiful tabletop decorations that also serve as nighttime illumination. Perfect for the top of the picnic table.
I tried another twist on this idea, buying a larger yard light and a clear plastic jar. I put those glass “stones” you can buy in craft stores in the bottom of the plastic jar for weight and for light refraction and then simply popped the top of the solar light assembly onto the jar. Perfect fit! Because the jar is a little larger, the light is more diffuse, but the raised designs on the jars in the shapes of hummingbirds and butterflies cast beautiful shadows on the table, and the stones cause the light to glitter. Very pretty! And again, powered by free, clean energy.
The plastic jar is nice because it’s light and not breakable, two things RVers love. The votive holders are breakable but extremely compact, also something RVers love. I’m seriously considering making some more of the votive holders to give away as gifts. They’re just so darned pretty!
Tags: crafts, decorating, DIY
