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Last week I made a candle chandelier for my deck. It looks so pretty when lit, but the rest of my yard was looking kind of neglected. I was determined to find a way to spread some more candle light around the yard to balance the light and provide more ambiance. I used to have Tiki torches, but they unravel and have to be filled up with oil that makes a mess. I remember years ago seeing candle lanterns at a wedding that I thought were pretty clever and decided I could try to make them myself, but I needed to find some glass hurricanes. A trip to the thrift store was in order yesterday.
Usually when I go on my weekly thrift store excursion I run in and do a quick cruise around the store to see if anything pops out at me. Treasure is not always waiting to be found, but you have to go frequently to stumble upon it every now and then. Yesterday I went on purpose – I knew my thrift store would have exactly what I was looking for – I had a choice – lots of glass hurricanes to choose from. I ended up with 3 and a cylinder glass bowl that I plan on using for another project.
Total cost of my glass haul – $2.70.
Here is what I made with the hurricane. At the end of this post I created a few variations using the other glassware I picked up.
It was very quick and easy to make. I used a tuna can, wood screw, copper adapter, and an old paint stick. If you don’t have an old paint stick, you could use an old broom stick – just cut the broom part off, or even buy a dowel. The copper adapter was the most expensive part of this project – $3.00, but I like the way it looked. If you want to be really thrifty you could use a soda bottle cap on top of the stick. The adapter or cap adds a nice transition between the can and the stick and provides support.
Using my Craftsman rotary drill that my hubby got me a few years ago for my birthday, I drilled a hole in the top of the paint stick.
Then I used a awl and hammer to make a hole in the center of the tuna can.
Assembly order: The copper adapter fits over the paint stick perfectly. Take your stick to the plumbing section at the hardware store and try a few different sizes out for the perfect fit. Every stick will be a bit different.
Screw the screw into the stick.
The top will look like this.
Place it in the ground. The lantern is complete – just needs a coat of paint. Once I removed the hurricane and candle, I sprayed the whole thing right where you see it in the photo – EASY!
I used Rust-Oleum’s Oil Rubbed Bronze so the lantern will coordinate with the chandelier I made last week for my deck.
All Done! If you have lots of wind – a hurricane such as the one I used will help keep the candles from burning out.
If you can’t find a hurricane when you are out thrifting – I also bought a small vase. It looks nice, too.
Lots of variation to choose from. A drinking glass works well also. You may even have an old set of glasses to make a matching set of lanterns to place around your entire yard.
Now I need to eat more tuna so I can make a few more so my yard will have all- over ambiance at night.
To remove dried wax on glass after use – fill glass with ice water. Let set a few minutes and wax will come right off.
{ 156 comments… read them below or add one }
Dianne – you are just FULL of great ideas! This looks like a super project for my granddaughter and I while she is visiting this summer. She is my “crafty girl” and loves to help make things. Last year we made a gazing ball from a bowling ball so this will be perfect…tuna cans and lamp chimneys into beautiful outdoor lighting!
Hi Suzan -
It will be the perfect project. Some tools, paint, and fun. It took me longer to gather the materials then it did to make it. I hope you have a wonderful time with your granddaughter.
Diane, That is brilliant!!! It looks like something you would find at a decorating store, not in your cupboard! You truly are brilliant!!!
Hugs, Cindy
Thanks Cindy
What a clever idea! Love it!
Love it!!
So very, very clever! I’ll never look at tuna the same again :) Laurel
That is so clever! You made it look very high end. I am planning to make hanging lanterns for my tiny patio, but I think I need these (without the posts) to put on the patio railing! So pretty.
Diane, This is a brilliant idea, you are so clever!!! i just showed my husband and his exact words were, “wow that’s genius”.
How incredibly creative and beautiful at the same time. Wonderful job!
Super idea!
Great idea! I would never have known what it was made out of hand you not shown us. Very nice!
Ingenious! I never would have thought of using a tuna can.
Sutch a good idea!! I love it, i want make one for me to.
Thanks for share
XX
FABULOUS! xo THX for sharing!!
:D Lynda
How absolutely clever! I think I shall make a couple of these for my back patio. I am sure I will have no problem getting my son to eat the tuna!
Thanks for sharing!
~ Tracy
That is a truly amazing idea! WOW is all I can say!
Diane!?!?! These are so beautiful and elegant! I would never guess they were from tuna cans! Genius!
Oh wow! How creative you are. That looks great.
Very nice!
Stumbled upon this (hehe). Really good directions for something that looks like it would be complicated.
This is so clever!! I love it! You’ve inspired me to make some of my own for the backyard!!
wow, I never would have guessed that pole was an old paint handle! This looks super awesome, great job! :D
Diane,
Simple yet sooooo stunning and mega creative!! What a fun and easy project to light up your evenings. Hope you don’t mind if I post the link on my FB Fan page…too good not to share. :)
Love your ideas and your blog. Your creativity and ingenuity inspire me!
Wow! This is amazing! Great job! Nice shots too! Beautiful space you got here!
Hope to see you on my blog:)
Sanghamitra.
Tuna cans!! Now that’s re-cycling at its best! What a great way to extend the ambiance of the chandelier into your yard! Brilliant.
I SO love this! We are having an outdoor party after my son’s wedding reception for neighbors and family and these will be a cheap fix for lighting outside! Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Lauren- they will be perfect. Congrats to your son.
Once again, using the simplest and most available items, you have managed to amaze me.
You have THE BEST ideas! I am going to try this!
Great ideas! My thrift store is overstocked with hurricanes and I’m always in search of new ways to use them! Thanks for sharing!!
HI Jan-
Why is it that thrift stores always seem to have a ton of these? You would think they would get broken.
This is one of the most creative ideas I have seen in a very long time–taking trash and turning into something that looks high end! Love it. Also, I usually read your blog in my email and decided to pop to your site today, WOW, I love it, I haven’t been on it in a very long time and was missing out. Thanks for all of the great ideas.
Hi Robin-
Thanks so much :) I used to do most of my blog reading through Google Reader and always felt I was missing out on seeing the actual blogs. I now use the Google Reader Next button and get to see all of them in full with the click of a button.
Easy peasy and looks great too! Thanks for sharing.
As always, beautifully clever!!!
Absolutely ingenious! Love it.
Simply put: Genious.
Fabulosa essa idéia principalmente para nós que sofremos tanto no verão com ataques de mosquitos! Obrigada por partilhar esse tutorial!
Abraços, Dolly
Wow, this is just brilliant. I would have never thought of this myself! I definitely need items to help decorate my gardens on the cheap. I cannot wait to put this one into action. Thank you!!
I am loving this….so pretty and yet so simple and inexpensive. Great tips for us.
I just signed up to follow..come see me when you have time.
I am over from Beach Cottage.:)
xo bj
You are a genius! This is so Fab!
-jg
http://www.re-ublog.com
Brilliant! I love it! Stumbled and pinned. :)
Diane was happy with his visit, thanks
Dolly
now this is clever! Enjoyed the post and will probably try this out myself.
Girl, that took some MAJOR creativity!! Love it! :)
What a fantastic tutorial! Great idea! ~Heidi
Visiting from your link on Crafterminds- this is great! I am going to put this on our to-do list for our patio area. I guess I need to go buy some tuna, though… ;-)
What a GREAT idea to use something your would normally throw away…LOVE it!!! I would LOVE if you would link up your project to our {{What I Made Wednesday}} Linky Party…going on now! Thanks and I’m your newest follower! :)
Briana
sweetpeasandbb.blogspot.com
Wow Diane – amazing! What a great project.
What a great recycling idea!
They are stunning!
Nice Job.
Kristy @ 4 the love of WOOD
Diane, you never cease to amaze me with your creativeness. Wow, you own trash to treasure in my book, who would of thought of marrying those items? You are a genius I tell ya! I am going to pin this. Have you gone on Pinterest yet? Dang, it is addicting, gets me behind on my reader though…but oh so fun!
Hi Stephanie-
Thanks. I Do have a Pinterest acct. It is the best thing, EVER!!! – I love it and get lost in time going though all the wonderful and inspiring images. Forget about the laundry, I’d rather be pinning.
I am just reminding everyone about tonights link party that runs Friday evening through Mondays!
I also have an ongoing give away link party now too.
Hope to see you soon.
http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/
come strut your stuff
Excellent! I have some hurricane glass with no bottoms. This would be a great way to repurpose it…thanks!
I just discovered your website today and you are amazing and incredibly talented! This is one of the best ideas I seen.
Diane, I love this!!! I just featured you and this project on my site :)
http://www.thriftyandchic.com
Love, love, lurve! I’ve been landscaping my backyard, but it takes so long and is so much work that I’m starting to get discouraged. Something cute like this would be great inspiration to keep beautifying! Thanks for sharing! Oh, and I’m a new follower….LOVE everything on here! Ah!
Popping over to say hello for the “Blog Party”! i host a garden party on Thursday’s & would love to have you come by to peek around or even link up?!? hope to see you sometime! xoox, tracie
well how snazzy is that?! love this upcycling idea on so many levels. the tuna can the thrifted glassware. good job :)
Guess who’s going to be eating tuna this week!!!! I already saw many hurricane’s at my local thrift store. This is a totally awesome idea.
OH MY GOODNESS are these so awesome and cute! WHAT a MIND YOU HAVE! I would have NEVER thought of this! And I thought I was crafty! LOL You rock! xoxoxoxo Kat =^.^=
PS NOW I have to get more power tools! LOL!
Great idea for summer entertaining! And I needed an excuse to hit the thrift stores tomorrow, so thanks!
Whoa! This is so cool! Very creative use of tuna cans.
Such a great idea. Love how your outdoor lantern turned out. Thanks for sharing the how-to at Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays.
Absolutely lovely! I am headed to the store to get supplies! :)
Wow, this is a great idea! I plan on making a few of these.
Girl this is brilliant! I’ll be featuring you on my site as well as on Tip Junkie Decorate :).
HI Beth-
Thanks so much. I was away over the weekend and just got back and noticed a huge spike in my pageviews. WOW thanks xo
These are AMAZING! :) How great is that!!! A tuna can?!?!?!? Can’t get over it! How creative!!! Gotta pin this so I can make some of my own! :)
This is fun, funny, and ingenious all at the same time–what a creative mind you have! I always enjoy visiting your blog, Diane.
Hi Kim – you are so sweet and always leave me the nicest comments. Thanks- xo
that is really cool, how in the world did you come up with that. i have those cans from costco chicken. i really want to try this!
LOVE this!!! Had to pin it and share on FB! It is amazing! :)
WOW! How creative and wonderful! I love it! I would never have thought to do that!
This is fabulous! And thanks for the wax removal tip.
Now that is creative! WOW :)
Love this idea! I’ll be trying this one out for sure!
Loved your lantern idea, but was completely distracted by your beautiful row of conifers …soooo pretty xx Ava
Hi Ava-
We planted them about 3 years ago as we were having some water draining issues. The mound they are on helps out with the drainage issue as well as provides privacy into our backyard. Thanks for connecting with me.
Simply brilliant…and beautiful. I’ll be featuring this project this afternoon on the A2D Inspiration Files blog.
I saw this done several years ago for a wedding. They tied a beautiful white ribbon at the candle base area. I love yours! The color is perfect!
Hi Lynn-
That is where I saw the idea many years ago. They were all spray painted white with white bows. The cans were nailed onto dowels without the use of the copper fitting. I thought it was such a great idea and finally got to make one for myself.
Thanks for sharing this last week with Crafterminds. I’m featuring tomorrow on Dollar Store Crafts. Best use of a tuna can, ever!
Hi Heather-
Thanks so much. xo I just caught the tail end of Crafterminds and am so glad the tweets showed up in my stream. I am looking forward to connecting with the group every week.
Hi Diane! I wanted to let you know I featured this on my blog today — I’m sorry I don’t have a ‘featured’ button yet but wanted to let you know anyway!
very clever! I love how this turned out!
thanks for linking up to Catch as Catch Can
gail
I love this,, these would work great to line the pathway when my daughter gets married this fall.. we were gonna use tiki torches (painted black) but these look so much better.
I love this! DH saves all our tuna cans to make firestarters, but we haven’t gotten around to doing it. I’ll show him this tonight.
And I’m pinning this.
Genious! And pretty to boot! Love your site & projects!!
Unbelievable! Bravo!
WoW! “Brilliant” idea! Seems like we live in a wind tunnel this year. Our patio sure could use a few of these.
that’s totally amazing! NICE JOB!!!!!!!!!
This is so cool — almost as cool as that outdoor chandy from a couple of weeks back! Well, maybe it’s a toss-up!
why didn’t I think of this! Such a great repurpose! LOVE them all.
catching YOU this week!
gail
This is soooo adorable and ingenious! Thanks for sharing!
Fantastic. I love it and its just so simple and looks so nice. Thanks for sharing.
You continually amaze me…this is absolute perfection.
Wow! This is the best use for a tuna can yet! Thanks so much for sharing…can’t wait to try it.
awesome!! thank you for sharing!
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT …. gonna make this soon as the hubbs gets the new *paver* deck done … question, though: what is a *paint stick*? i’m thinkin’ those things they give you free from home depot or lowes, but it’s not lookin’ like that …. like a broom handle?
Hi Darlene-
It is the paint stick that a paint roller screws onto when you want to paint high up on the wall without using a ladder. I had a few old ones in my basement and used them. To buy them new at Home Depot/Lowes costs about $7, but you could use an old broom or mop stick to save some money.
My mom made these with my sister’s girl scout troup back in the early 60′s. Thanks for the memory.
Hi Maggie-
You are so welcome. I saw them done in white at a wedding a long time ago and have always kept the idea in the back of my mind for someday. Someday finally came.
That was crazy smart! Wow! I like this better than the store bought ones I’ve seen!
Diane, you are AMAZING! Lots of wonderful ideas! Loved your space!!
This is such a great idea! Great job!
Would love to feature this on my blog and link back to your tutorial if that’s ok!
Hi Megan-
Thanks – It is fine for you to feature the lantern on your blog. :)
I used this idea for my daughters backyard wedding. We painted the dowel and tuna cans white. Glued thin purple ribbon on the dowels and a simple flower on the painted tuna can. We then filled the vases with water and flower petals, put in a floating candle, They lined the bridal runner all the way up to where the bride and the groom stood. It looked amazing!! My daughter was so happy with how beautiful and inexpensive it looked! Thank you for the great idea
Hi Diane,
I just loved this idea/craft of yours. I am going to make 8 of them(I have 8 tumblers). But I can not find anyone with wooden broom handles, so I am considering using 1″ x 2″ firring strips that are 8 ft long. I can saw off a little square to balance the can on? Do you think that will work? Also, if you get tired of eating canned tuna, kitty kat food cans work just as well. Oh yeah, I wanted taller than the broom handles would make them so thinking I will try the firring strips (still pretty cheap).
Thanks again,
Sheryll & Critters.
Thanks! I didn’t think about kitty food cans. Now I just need to ask friends.
Hi Diane
Love this idea! So chic – I am obsessed with restoration hardware and between this and your concrete pillars I could actually have the same look without having to starve myself!
One idea – Since fire outside always kind of freaks me out, you might be able to use those solar lights that they sell for walkways, and maybe use some museum putty to stand them inside the hurricane glass or vase. Then your yard would be lit up every night without any effort and no fear of fire!
Cool blog!
That is a great idea~I just threw out two old plastic leaf rakes and saved the handles ,*sticks, knowing something good would come of it. Thanks for this tutorial.
Thanks Shirley – I do the same thing. I have a stash in my garage and basement of all the items I save to re-purpose someday.
Hi Diane, I am new to your blog and loving it already. I made these tuna can posts about 30 years ago. There were no dollar stores at the time OR pillar candles. I used tapers. I took the top of a soda bottle and put my screw threw that and into the can and dowel. (no paint handles) I lined my walk at Christmas. You really brought back memories.
Thanks,
Susan
I love this idea! What a romantic way to light up your deck or porch! And it’s great that the hurricanes are replaceable for a variety of shapes!
Pure Home
http://blog.purehome.com
I saw this idea briefly last week. Was at the hardware store w/husband and tried to explain to him and the clerk about the adapter. Neither one knew what I was talking about. Came home today and found this idea again, and showed it to my hubby. He said, “oh, I see. Very clever. But you need a paint stick. You were saying you needed a dowel stick.” Glad I revisited this idea! You came up with a very clever and cute light! Love it!
What an awesome idea! I can’t wait to make one. Guess I need to eat a lot of tuna. Can u buy broom sticks? I guess any dawl will do. Thanks again for the idea. I will surely share this my crafty friends.
I shopped for the wooden dowels and they were too expensive for me, so I purchased eight – 8 foot firring strips for 97 cents each plus tax (I have eight water tumblers). I originally planned on each staying as tall as I could get them, after posting in the dirt…… but I ended up cutting two of them short (in half) for some to be walking lighting & the others to be high for visual effect. I simply cut off a chunk and used it to nail the can into instead. Not the same exact “look”, but very cute and now my friend’s think I am clever…. grin. I do tell them all to read all of Diane’s blogs, she is so great.
came over from Not Just A Housewife contest…I do alot of upcycling – your project is pure genius!
amy of four corners design
Grear idea. I want to make several to put around my deck. How did you put it in the ground? I am afraid if I hammer in the can it will dent. Again great idea, thanks for putting on Pinterest.
hi Michelle-
I put mine in to line my garden so the soil is soft and easy to just twirl the stick in as you would a beach umbrella in the sand. If it hard soil, you could make a hole first by hammering a stake into the ground and then removing it and then put the candle stick in to the hole.
I love your trash! :)
Ok this may be a stupid question but what exactly is a paint stick?? If I say that around these parts they would think it was the flat stick that you stir paint with. Thanks!
In this instance Diane used a paint stick handle extender… you know that you screw into a shorter roller paint handle, for when you need to paint a high ceiling or high walls.
Just found this on Pinterest–what an awesome idea! Thanks.
Hi Diane! I love this outdoor lantern~it is fantastic! I want to make a few of them. I have been poking around your blog, it is really impressive!! I am thinking of doing your zinc finish on the tuna can for the lantern, that would work too I think~so inspired!! I just opened two cans of tuna this week, time to get them out of the recycling bin!!
I just discovered your blog, you are amazing. I would have to work double time to stay up with you. I wanted to follow you but couldn’t find that so let me know how to follow. Thanks for all the great ideas, I think this one is my favorite. Of course I also have an ugly kitchen similar to the one you had so I also may be using some of your ideas on it as well.
love your blog……….so many creative ideas….already have my hurricane lamps so cheap at Goodwill………25-50 cents………had tuna tonight…….can’t wait to make the lanterns for around my deck.
This is so cute! You are so creative and thrifty! I pinned this and have it linked back to this site. Thanks for sharing your great idea! I’m going to make one to use next summer.
Love it!!! I went on a thrift store haul but unfortunately I could not find any hurricane lamp shades. I ended up purchasing some online for a couple of bucks. Now my problem is finding a tuna can that will fit the bottom!!! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Lucy – Isn’t that always the case – when you purposely are looking to find something – you can’t. Wait a week or two and I am sure on your next thrifitng adventure one or more are sure to be lining the shelves. Tuna cans all look the same, but are slightly different. Look at crabmeat cans, too.
Very cute light idea! I was also wondering if you knew what type of tree or shrub that is behind the light. They are just what I am looking for to go along the back of our side yard for a border. Thanks…
Hi Kris- I think they are Emerald Green Arborvitae. We bought them at Home Depot about 6 years ago.
Loving mason jars as I do, I would use mason jars to hold my lights, either tea lights or solar lights. I love the stands, whether sticks, handles, dowels, or whatever.
Thanks for sharing these instructions. I’m thinking of following your plan, but substituting an old pie or can pan for the tuna can, and creating a platform type bird feeder. :-)
Wow!! I love it, and can’t wait to make 2 of them for camping!! They will be perfect and easy to transport right in the camper. Thank you so much for all your wonderful ideas!
I have to start eating more tuna, I just found 3 boxes of glass hurricanes in the attic of my business, knew I didn’t want to throw them out but wasn’t sure what to do with them. Thanks
Hi Sal – What a find. When I got the idea to make the lantern – I had had to search through a few thrift stores before I found the style hurricane I envisioned.
Folks, don’t limit your opportunities. I used the medium, not tall, but not the tiny ones either of kitty kat food cans. I had somehow acquired some water glasses that I think are just dowdy (ugly). But they fit my empty kitty kat cans purfectly and I know love the glasses for outdoor torch lights/lanterns. I also could not afford dowels and no wooden broom handles on hand….. so I bought some very inexpensive PVC pipes… they come in long length’s and are less expensive (a lot) than dowels. At first I used some firring strips of 8 ft lengths and cut a piece off the top for the platform to hold the can. But this summer I switched to the PVC… just plug the end of the pipe where you want to attach the can… with wood glue and maybe some old newspaper first. It works and is prettier like Diane’s beautiful ones. I will save my pipes and glasses this winter and put them out again next year. And I always have some kind of use for the firring strips…. some where, you know? Don’t laugh, but you can also fill the pipes with kitty litter or sand also.
I have the longest wish list in the world that I have made from so many of Diane’s wonderful ideas/tutorials.
Diane is the very best I have found to learn, get ideas from, advice and what ever you need. She is honest and tells you the ins and outs of everything she does.
Thank you very much Diane for so many wonderful ideas and all you have taught me.
Great idea! Your photos are nice and big. It’s so easy to see how to do everything to make these! So pretty!
This is amazing! I’m going to make it into a can holder for my husbands camping trips and just add a tiki torch stake to the bottom!
I love it! Very crafty idea!!!
Hiiii! Love the idea. Can u tell me what’s the diameter of the bottom of the hurricane shade?
Oh, my gosh! I never knew you could make these things out of these! So simple and inexpensive! I don’t know how you get these ideas! I couldn’t think of all these!
Such a clever idea! love it.
Smiles!
Sammy ~ Renew Redo
My boyfriend came up with another clever idea… instead of one can per lantern, save two per lantern before you do the project. It simply needs to be sprayed to match and it becomes the “lid” for the lantern when it rains so you don’t have water logged lanterns and candles.
Hi Sheila – You have one smart boyfriend :) That is an excellent idea. One that has me saying, ” Now why didn’t I think of that?” Thanks for taking the time to share it. Happy 2013!
Hello there – That’s even a better idea :)
I love this recycle use! Thank you for post.my family eats lots of tuna so many lamps ahead!
You did a fantastic job with your tutorial. I’m new to Pinterest so glad to find you. Thanks..
Great Idea! Would it hurt to drill a few more holes in the bottom if it was left out in the rain so it would drain?
Hi DeBi – great idea – It would not hurt it at all. Thanks for taking the time to share your idea :)
If you use a can as a rain lid or all the time with the battery lights, you could glue something cute to the top. Like a marble or finial shaped item. Small plastic tread spool and a marble painted with the rest. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks again, Diane! You are awesome!
These are great! I love up cycling and making lanterns was something I never thought of. You are very clever and creative ;-)
Thank you
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