DIY: Hanging lantern

Why not upcycle a few glass jars into pretty lanterns to decorate your patio? It’s so quick and easy to do and costs next to nothing

What you’ll need:

• A clean jar made from fairly thick glass (thin glass can crack from the heat of a candle). Large mayonnaise and pickle jars work well.
• Coarse salt or river sand.
• Thin wire and pliers.
• A small pillar candle.

Step 1: Fill the bottom third of the jar with river sand or coarse salt to anchor the candle and keep it upright.

Step 2: If you want to hang your lantern from a tree, then wind one piece of wire securely around the top of the jar a couple of times (the grooves will keep it from slipping, but tighten it with pliers if necessary) leaving enough wire to form a handle. Wind another piece in the opposite direction and do the same. Tighten with pliers if necessary.

Step 3: Twist the two wires together, then join in the middle to form a handle and twist with pliers to secure them.

Step 4: Carry outside and light the candle. Just remember that once the candle is lit, the wire heats up so hang it soon after lighting the candle and blow out the candle and allow the wire to cool before touching it again.