Make Appealing Pendant Lights
Turn everyday objects like these antique canning jars into attention-getting pendant lights. All you need are a few tools, an inexpensive light fixture, and a dose of imagination.
Canning jar pendants won't break your decorating budget, and they'll be far more interesting than the off-the-shelf fixtures found in home centers.
Cut the Jar
The dramatic lighting effect created by the canning-jar pendant results from removing the bottom of each jar. This allows the light from a modest 20-watt bulb to illuminate objects below the pendant.
You might imagine that cutting the jar would be difficult. But it’s easy if you use a bottle cutter to score the glass.
Just position the jar on the bottle cutter and then rotate the jar five or six times, pressing firmly, to score the glass.
Then snap off the bottom of the bottle according to the instructions that come with your cutter.
Smooth the Edges
Use a diamond file and cutting oil (both usually come with the bottle cutter) after snapping off the bottom to smooth the edge, making it safe to touch.
Frost the Inside of the Jar
Each jar gets a frosted finish so the pendant produces a soft, diffuse light. That finish is applied to the inside walls of the jar, so the outside retains its original look. This way, the bubbles, imperfections, and color of the glass still show.
The frosted finish comes in a spray can so it's easy to apply. Simply aim through the jar neck first, then through the cut end. For best results, apply a couple of light coats.
Drill the Lid
Drill a 1 1/8" hole in the lid for the light fixture. If you're using antique jars like we did, the lids are zinc and drill easily with a standard spade bit. For new jars, you may want to use a hole saw in your drill instead.
Use a clamp as a handle to hold the lid so if the bit grabs, it won’t get pulled from your hand.
Add the Fixture
Slip the light socket through the hole and install the lock ring. Hand tighten it only so you don’t deform the lid or break the socket.