Pressed dried flowers and the soft flicker of candlelight can transform an ordinary jar into a rustic lantern. The effect is simple, romantic, and fits neatly into cottagecore and country-house aesthetics. It also provides a practical way to repurpose empty jam jars that would otherwise be discarded.
Choosing the right jars
Small to medium-sized jam jars or preserving jars with a fairly smooth surface work best. Old honey jars, dessert glasses, or plain storage jars are equally good options. The most important thing is that the jars are clean, grease-free, and completely dry — only then will the pressed flowers adhere properly to the glass. Jars with a slight frosted-glass effect on the lower section look particularly atmospheric, as the candlelight shines through in a softer, cosier way. If you like, you can enhance this effect further with a coat of matte varnish.
Flat summer blooms and delicate leaves work best for these DIY lanterns. Small daisies, lavender, baby's breath, fine wildflowers, fern fronds, or slender grasses all look beautiful. Avoid thick flower heads where possible — they are harder to press flat and won’t sit neatly against the glass once dried.
Related: Summer Blooms for Sweltering Gardens
Step-by-step instructions
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Jam jars or preserving jars
- Pressed dried flowers and leaves
- Mod Podge or decoupage glue
- A soft brush
- Small scissors
- Tea lights or LED candles
- Kitchen paper
Begin by removing any label residue, then wash the jars thoroughly with warm water and a little washing-up liquid. Leave them to dry completely. The surface must be clean, dry, and grease-free so that the glue bonds properly later on.
Place fresh flowers between two layers of kitchen paper and press them inside a heavy book. After about one to two weeks, the blooms will be fully dried and nicely flat. Before you start crafting, carefully sort through the flowers and think about how you want to arrange them on the jar.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge directly onto the areas of the jar where you want to attach the flowers. Work in small sections so the glue doesn’t dry out too quickly. Gently place the pressed dried flowers onto the still-wet glue and press them down softly. This works best using your fingers or a dry, soft brush. Take care not to tear or crease the delicate petals.
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Once all the flowers are in place, brush another thin layer of Mod Podge over the entire decoration. This seals the blooms and fixes them permanently. Apply the glue as evenly as possible to avoid visible streaks once dry.
Leave the finished lanterns to dry for several hours before placing any tea lights inside. On a balcony, terrace, or garden table on a warm evening, the soft glow of candlelight through the dried flowers looks truly magical.
How to Style the Finished Lanterns
These romantic jars look wonderful alongside rustic wooden trays, linen tablecloths, and natural materials. A group of lanterns in different sizes arranged together on a table makes a particularly striking display. For an even more rustic feel, you can add a length of jute ribbon, lace trim, or thin twine around the neck of each jar. The handmade lanterns also make a perfect gift.
