Lighted BABY FOOD JAR CHRISTMAS TREES ( pretty! )

suzziq03

FEATURES:

Lighted miniature tree
Made from 33 recycled baby food jars
Use as a table centerpiece, a mantle decoration
or to light up a dark window
Very little cost involved
Step-By-Step Instructions follow
Materials Needed:
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(33) baby food jars of equal size & shape (w/lids)
1 set of mini lights (35 count)
Christmas tree tinsel
small finished board (for base) Tools Needed:
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construction adhesive (Liquid Nails)
cauking gun
electric drill & bits

*NOTES:


I first saw one of these in a store front window of a small downtown gift shop. The individual lights in each jar were flashing at a different rate. I'm not quite sure how that was accomplished, but the effect was intriguing. I had to go inside to see how it was made. To my surprise baby food jars were stacked in a tree shape, stuffed with tinsel and lighted with twinkle lights. A couple of weeks later my brother called from California telling me of a lighted tree he had seen made from baby food jars. So I began the search for empties.
Collecting the Jars... If you happen to have a happy little reason to be buying baby food this task may not be too difficult. For the rest of us it's not as easy as one might think. You will quickly find that there are a variety of sizes and shapes of baby food jars. You will need to gather 33 jars of the same size and shape. Save the lids as well! My tree is made from the 4 oz size, but the largers jars would probably provide more stability.
Some time is needed to complete this project. There are seven rows of jars that must be glued in place. It's best to allow a day for each row to dry, thus requiring one week from start to finish.
I've been told these make a good centerpiece, but to me they only look good from one side and an electrical cord is required. I simply like to sit them in a window or on the fireplace mantle. I suppose you could display them outdoors but because they are glass I find myself reluctant to do so.

STEP 1

Carefully drill holes in the lids ... Drill a hole for the lights in the center of each lid. The size of the hole will depend upon the type of light set being used. Use a drill bit the approximate size of the light socket so that the fit is snug. (I used an 11/32" bit.) Wear gloves and safety goggles when you do this because metal shavings fly everywhere. I placed the lid upside down on a block of wood to do my drilling, sometimes using pliers to remove small shards of metal still clinging to the lid.

STEP 2

Stuff the jars ... Stuff silver tinsel in each jar and replace the lids. How much tinsel is a matter of personal preference. The tinsel I used was 20" long and I stuffed 15 to 20 strands in each jar. I suppose colored tinsel could be used for a different effect. Don't forget this step (unless you want to leave it out altogether)! It's not easy to remove and replace the lids once the jars are glued together.

STEP 3

Glue the jars ... The jars are bonded together using a multi-purpose contruction adhesive (Liquid Nails) which is dispensed with a cauking gun. Work on a flat surface and up against a straight edge such as a wall or box. First glue each separate row together. There are seven rows in the main part of the tree and two rows for the trunk. Place the first jar sitting upright against the straight edge. Run a bead of adhesive along the side of a second jar and slide it next to the first so they can bond together. Complete the first row with a total of seven jars (figure #2). Build additional rows of 6,5,4,3,and 2 jars for the tree plus other rows of 3 and 2 jars for the trunk. Let all of these dry overnight. Place the row of seven jars on its side up against the straight edge. Using the construction adhesive glue the row of six jars on top of the row of seven jars so that each jar rests on two bottom jars (see figure #3), thus beginning to form a pyramid shape. Add subsequent rows until finally one jar completes the pyramid. At the same time, build the tree "trunk" with 2 jars on top of 3 jars. Let dry overnight****tach the "trunk" to the "tree" with the same adhesive. (See figure #4 below.)

STEP 4



Attach to base ...The base can be made from a small piece of wood about 6" x 9". You can purchase something appropriate at the local hobby center. I use a scrap piece of deck board I had laying around the shed and simply painted it silver. Again, use the construction adhesive to attached the "tree" to the "trunk".

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STEP 5

Add the lights ... Start at the top and insert a light in each previously drilled hole in the jar lids. There will, or course, be two lights left over. If you want to include more lights, simply push the bulbs all the way into the jars and include two or more bulbs in each. Plug in and enjoy!

http://www.pbholidayguide.com/festiv.../baby_food.htm

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*my FEEDBACK* http://www.bigbigforums.com/trader-f...light=suzziq03

moocher

thanks for the idea!!