Make a Patriotic Jar Lamp to Decorate Your Home

My friend's bingo balls came in handy again. They are about the size of ping pong balls and I was gifted with two sets. A massive amount, but I am finding plenty of uses for them. This time they became the perfect filler for a jar lamp, transformed of course. The balls, along with an empty canning jar, a jar lamp attachment and a stained lampshade were the perfect bones for an Americana style lamp. It can be used as a porch lamp, a dresser lamp or a lamp positioned in a nook with other Americana knick-knacks. You are not limited to my choice of fabrics; homespun plaids, polka dots, vintage linens or holiday novelty prints would make an adorable jar lamp.

Things You Will Need:

Canning jar lamp kit
Wide-mouth quart-size canning jar
10 bingo balls, ping pong balls or 1 1/2-inch Styrofoam balls
4 x 11 x 7 lampshade with light bulb ring harp
1/4-yard cotton fabric for shade
Scrap red and white gingham fabric for balls
Craft glue
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Light bulb

Step 1
Rip 10, 1/2-inch wide by 18-inch long strips of red and white gingham fabric.

Step 2
Apply craft glue to the surface of a ball and wrap a strip around it, completely concealing the ball. This does not need to look neat. It is supposed to look like a rag ball. Repeat with the remaining balls and strips. Allow the glue to dry and fill the quart-size canning jar with the balls.

Step 3
Rip several strips, 1-inch wide by 45-inch long of blue and white gingham fabric. The exact amount will depend on the size and shape of the lampshade you find and also how close together each wrap around the shade is.

Step 4
Apply a dab of hot glue to the inside top of the lampshades rim. Lay one end of a strip in the glue. Wrap down the outside and up the inside of the shade, overlapping the sides. If your shade is tapered like mine, you will need to overlap more at the top of the shade than at the bottom to keep the wraps vertical. End the strip on the inside of the shade, trimming the strip if necessary. Hot glue the end to the shade. Repeat with additional strips until the shade is completely covered on the inside and outside.

Step 5
Attach the canning jar lamp kit to the jar. This is very easy. Simply screw the lid of the kit on the jar. The socket and cord is already attached to the lid. Place the ring of the lampshade over the socket and screw in the bulb.

Step 6
Cut a 40-inch length of white 1/4-inch diameter cording. Wrap the cording around the shade and tie the ends in a knot on the front of the shade.