Gardener Makes Charming Outdoor Lights With Leftover Tuna Cans

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The right lighting can completely transform a garden and change its nighttime ambiance from dark and unwelcoming to magical and charming. While plenty of outdoor lighting is available to buy, why not make some yourself so you can fully customize it? That's what TikToker Mrs Clare Hoops did. Using sticks as posts and empty tuna cans with mason jars tucked inside as tealight holders, she created glowy, elegant lights that can go almost anywhere in the yard. This is a great way to transform trash into garden treasure.

Her project barely cost anything — she used tuna cans, sticks from her garden, mason jars with lids, and battery-operated lights like these Homemory Flickering Flameless Candles. The only other supplies needed to recreate this project are a drill, screws, and waterproof, metal-friendly spray paint. 

Before you build your lights, clean your tuna cans thoroughly, as you don't want cats, raccoons, and skunks attracted to your yard. You'll also need to remove the labels and file down any sharp edges. If you don't already have a cabinet overflowing with mason jars, take a trip to your local thrift store, and you should find plenty to choose from. Make sure to pick ones that are narrow enough to fit inside the tuna can. Finally, search your yard for sticks to use as posts. These can vary in length, but should be thick and sturdy enough to drive a screw into them and support your lighting unit.

First, paint your clean, dry tuna cans using outdoor paint. You could go for classic black or gold, or choose a color that complements your other garden decor. If you want, paint your sticks too, though leaving them plain keeps a natural rustic charm. After everything dries, drive a screw through the center of a can and into the top of one stick, then repeat with the others. Then find the perfect spots in your garden or yard, push your sticks into the soil, place your mason jars inside the cans, and pop in the lights. For extra stability, choose firm soil and avoid placing the lights where they could easily be bumped or knocked over. Also, don't forget to put the lids back on your jars so they don't fill with water during your next rain.

@mrsclarehoops

Tiny glowing garden lights made from tuna tins and bits I already had lying around. Nothing wasted #GardenCraft #CottagecoreCrafts GardenTableIdeas #diygardendecor #diygardenlight

♬ Johann Strauss II The Blue Danube Waltz Short 2(1217372) – takmusic

It's important to only use battery-powered lights for this project, since flames can pose a huge safety issue in the garden. If you're looking for something a bit different from the tea light style, you could instead opt for putting a string of small, battery-powered LED lights inside your mason jar, as Mrs Clare Hooper did with one of hers. While white looks elegant and ethereal, colorful options like the Karlling Battery Operated Christmas Lights could also be a fun touch, especially around the holidays. Another great way to add color to this project is to apply translucent paint to your mason jars. A waterproof product like the Nicpro Stained Glass Paint Set allows you to create stunning designs and patterns for your lights to shine through.