Mason Jar Oil Lamps....

**captclearance** · 09-28-2002, 09:53 AM

This has been my favorite craft for a while, of all the crafts I make, I give away and sell more of these than any..... These can be made from canning jars, recycled jars, painted jars, decretive jugs....They can be filled with almost anything, marbles, dried fruit, bunched up fabric, stones, shells, hard candies, buttons, almost anything...When I first started doing these a few years ago, I sought the advise of a man who had sold them for ten years...He said he had put everything in them, but was unsuccessful with chocolate....Who would want to waste good chocolate like that anyway...........OK on to instructions...
you'll need
a jar and lid ( I like mason and ball jars)
contents for jar or it can be painted or simply left empty....
a drill, screwdriver or punch to make the hole in the lid......
1 "Glass wick holder" and 4-6 inches of "Fiberglass wick"
(I have a few extra wick holders and wicks I could sell)......
the male end of a grommet or a washer that the stem of the wick holder will fit in...this is optional but will dress up the hole you drill in the lid, if you end up with some jagged edges these would be nice..... PURE PARAFFIN LAMP OIL !!! Use no other oil, you could use citronella or regular lamp oil but these tend to smoke, never use gasoline, kerosene, ect !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a scrap of fabric or raffia to decorate the jar,
A NOTE CARD ATTACHED WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS on it, this is important !!! If you intent to sell these, you will need this, you'll want these in any event.... These oil lamps are no more dangerous than any hurricane lamp, but as with any candle or oil lamp you must exercise caution.... I will post the instructions and precautions on next thread......
Start by punching or drilling a hole on the center of the lid, make the hole just large enough to fit the neck of the glass wick holder. Fill jar with decretive items, screw lid on with wickholder and fiberglass wick in place, decorate the jar with fabric or raffia, make sure this does not extent near the top where the flame will be !! Use 6 inch vine wreaths at the bottom of jar for a base if you like.... I do this and it adds a little something different from the rest and gives the jar a little more stability...
I do not fill with lamp oil before giving or selling..... This makes it more difficult and dangerous to travel with.... give a bottle of it with the jar or simply instruct as to what sort of oil to buy...This should be on you tag..... Print tag or write out on a card stock or heavy paper, punch a hole in corner of tag and tie to jar with jute or raffia....... I hope I have explained this well...... I have included pictures...if for some reason they are not there, I will put it in the next thread with the tag instructions....... Have fun......
The safety tips for tag are listed on this thread below ..........

**~Sherry~** · 09-28-2002, 10:06 AM

Those are beautiful, Lori!

I wish I was related to you so I could get some of these good gifts you have!! LOL

**QuilterMom** · 09-28-2002, 10:12 AM

I saw a cute idea in a magazine or craft book last year for mason jar luminaries (sp?). You fill the jars with large gold and silver beads and cranberries almost to the top. Then set a tea light on top and light it. I remember the picture showed all these luminaries lining the walkway coming up to the front door of a house - it was so beautiful.

**captclearance** · 09-28-2002, 10:47 AM

Safety tag for Oil Lamps:

Never leave lit lamp unattended !!
Fill with Pure paraffin oil only !! Using other fuels can cause an explosion!!! at the least other oils will cause smoking and make a mess ...
Keep away from Children.. Parts from the lamp are a chocking hazard and lamp oil is POISONOUS and very FLAMMABLE !!!
Keep the wick trimmed to 1/8 to 1/4 inch of the top of the wick holder.. The lamp will smoke if wick is too long..
Never light near flammable items such as curtains, decor, furniture, ect...
Place lamp where it is level and will not spill or tip.......
allow wick to soak up oil for at least 3 hours before lighting...
Remove oil before shipping or storing........
Check for cracks in the jar and wick holder before filling and lighting....
Use the same care as you would a candle, hurricane lamp or any open flame...
With proper care your lamp should offer years of enjoyment....

**heaven** · 09-28-2002, 11:29 AM

yes i want to come to your house so you can show us how to do that. yah can you see sherry and i showing up on your doorstep.??!! LOL (note to self and sherry start planning road trip to Lori's) ROFL

**captclearance** · 09-28-2002, 11:46 AM

Ok .... baked some goodies and get on over here....... I'll keep the light on for ya.....

**heaven** · 09-28-2002, 12:13 PM

but we have to bake, LOL we thought you would have that ready too.

**captclearance** · 09-28-2002, 12:29 PM

No sorry, I am a crafter really... I use my smoke alarm for a dinner bell...... I never let in empty handed guest........LOL

**bamamomto4** · 09-28-2002, 11:10 PM

Well heck ...I'll bake up whatever you want for one these lamps

Cookies,cakes,pies...you name it!!! LOL!!!
Heaven and Sherry can bring the paper plates and drinks

**heaven** · 09-28-2002, 11:53 PM

that works for me then, i will bring the plates and sherry can handle the cups. But i have a question inside the jars is that dry fruit and things, now is that put in and then you add the oil or does the oil have it's own container inside that. and where do you get the gromet thingies. I am not a pest for no reason.

**captclearance** · 09-29-2002, 01:16 AM

Your not a pest !!! The grommets you can buy at any hardware store... They come in a package of about 50 for $4.00 or so, you'll want to use the MALE end, they are like those snaps you put on with a hammer, one side has a long end, one side is flat, you can use both but the male ends goes down on the hole and helps keep everything in place, I have only used dried, although I have been told nearly anything can be put inside of them the lamp oil pours right over the top of the goodies inside.... I have used dried chilies, dried fruit ( Mostly apples since I dry my own for free) marbles, building blocks, patriotic fabric and seasonal fabrics (just bunched in, not too tight ) starlight candies, and crayons..... They have all been fine..... IMPORTANT ! Remember to use only pure paraffin oil..... I have the glass wick holders and wick if anyone need it....... They sell for about $2.50 on the internet.... I get them much cheaper since I buy so many.... I would be willing to work out a little trade for them or sell them for $1.00 for the wick and glass holder plus postage (probably 1 stamp)

**Kindred-Spirit** · 10-19-2002, 06:35 PM

I love this lamp, can't wait to make one.

**~Sherry~** · 10-19-2002, 06:54 PM

Me too! I can't wait.
I want to make one or two for me and a couple for gifts too.

**baf3girls** · 10-19-2002, 07:50 PM

Can you use another type of wick holder?
I found pure parrifin wax oil, is that the same thing?

I went to Michaels and they did not have the glass wick holders but they did have a ceramic holder that would fit into the hole, would that work?

Beth