LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Fall inspires a little more time in doors for creative projects. And Brownsboro Hardware & Paint's Jim Lehrer is sharing two fun ideas you can make at home with mason jars. 

The first is a "Canning Jar Pumpkin," which uses just the lids. It's a seasonal decoration that even adds a touch of cinnamon to the air.  And the "Mason Jar Pendant Light" is a rustic touch for a corner of your home that may need a little style. 

Canning Jar Pumpkins

Supplies for one pumpkin: Reg. 12 count mason jar lids, #18 400' cotton twine (you should need about 24 inches and cinnamon sticks or a small piece of burlap. 

Instructions:  

Empty two cartons of lids on a flat surface. Separate lids and the flat inserts.  Inserts will not be needed for this project. But you might be able to make them into another craft like a Christmas ornament. 

Cut a piece of twine about 24" long. 

String the rings of the lids into the twine all in the same direction. You may need only 11 rings. for one pumpkin. 

Once the rings are all lined up on the twine, grab both ends of the twine and pull them together.  This will force the rings into a circular shape.  Tie the rings at the center with a snug knot. 

Use cinnamon sticks (about 3 or 4) or roll a small piece of burlap in the middle as a stem, if you like. 

You could also use a battery operated light on the inside of the rings for a nice fall glow. 

Mason Jar Pendant Light

 

Supplies for two lights: Quart-sized wide-mouth mason jar - clear, Quart-sized wide-mouth mason jar - blue, mini pendant light kit, vintage bulb or Edison bulb, tubular bulb, Rust-Oleum frosted glass spray (optional). 

Tools you'll need: Hammer, nail, sharpie, tin snips.

Instructions: 

Choose your mason jar. Edison bulbs tend to have a larger diameter, so they typically will not fit a regular mouth mason jar.  you can u se a candelabra bulb with a regular mouth mason jar and frost the jar, if too much light is given off.  You can also wire a dimmer switch. 

Choose your mini pendant light kit (white, gold or brushed nickel are available). 

Take the lid off your mason jar and place the socket end of the mini pendant centered on the lid. Trace around the socket with a sharpie.  

Next, use a hammer and nail to poke holes into the lid following the line. Also poke several in the center of the lid.  This will make cutting it with the snips easier. Make sure you are on a hard surface that cannot be damaged. 

Then use the tin snips to cut the circle out. 

Place the circle around the mason jar lid and then slide the pendant socket through the hole. Screw on the bottom of the pendant light socket to hold in place. 

Screw in your light bulb before attaching the mason jar to the mason jar lid. 

Choose your location and install pendant light following light instructions provided in the kit.  If you are not experienced with electrical, you may need to contact a licensed electrician.  This light can be mounted anywhere a regular pendant light would work like a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room. 

Brownsboro Hardware & Paint

4858 Brownsboro Road

Louisville, KY 40207

502-897-1591

OR 

9521 US Highway 42

Prospect, KY 40059

502-292-2595

www.brownsborohardware.com

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Brownsboro Hardware & Paint is a locally owned, full-service hardware store in Louisville, Kentucky. With two locations we have been serving the East End of Louisville since 1960.  They are your local source for Weber® grills, The Big Green Egg®,  Benjamin Moore Paint® and all your hardware needs.

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