I know you’ve seen the adorable mason jar lid pumpkins that have been floating around the web for several years now. It’s a great way to add a little fall to your home decor and it’s perfect for recycling your used canning lids.

Mason Jar Lid Pumpkins

I’ll not only show you how to make a pumpkin from mason jar lids, I’ll share several different ideas for decorating them as well. These cute mason jar lid pumpkins are a touch of rustic with a whole lot of fall charm, plus, they’re really easy to make.

I buy a ton of mason jars, but not for canning like most people. I make a lot of luminaries, and projects like these fall mason jars, it’s just something I love to do. There’s something about the glow of a candle flickering through glass that I just love! But luminaries aren’t the only thing I’ve made from mason jars. I wanted something pretty for summer barbecues, so I created these painted mason jars too.

RELATED: If you love pumpkins, you’ll definitely want to try this 3D paper pumpkin project. It’s fun and easy and it’s actually quite pretty!

*Canning lids and bands can be purchased separately from mason jars. Depending on the size (wide mouth or regular) they will cost you less $10 for a box of 12. If you are familiar with canning you already know this because a lid can only be used once when canning food, but jars and bands can be used over and over. We suggest using your rusty or dented bands!

How to make mason jar lid pumpkins:

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!

First, choose the size of your canning bands

There are two different sizes: wide mouth and regular. In my photos, you will see both of them being used. The wide mouth bands are larger, that’s what the white pumpkin is made from. The larger pumpkin measures 8-inches while the smaller pumpkins measure a little under 7-inches.

Next, decide if you want to paint them or not

If you do, make sure you factor in more time to allow for a couple of coats on both sides as well as drying time. I used matte finish spray paint on mine, that’s just my preference. I have seen them with gloss finish as well.

Tip: Your painting doesn’t have to be perfect. When you are all done assembling your pumpkin, you can easily rotate the bands to hide any imperfections!

Now assemble your mason jar lid pumpkins

Most tutorials will tell you to use string or yarn to tie the bands together. I found it easier to use a pipe cleaner and was able to get a tighter connection than I was with yarn. Make sure all the bands are going in the same direction.

Tip: for the smaller pumpkin you can get away with using just one pipe cleaner. You will definitely need two for the larger size.

Start by twisting two pipe cleaners together to make one long pipe cleaner. Twist and secure it tightly. Run the pipe cleaner through the bands, or thread the bands onto the pipe cleaner… however, you want to say it.

Next twist the two ends of the pipe cleaner together, getting it as tight as you can, joining all the bands together. Fan them out if needed, but you’ll be surprised by how your pumpkin will just naturally form when you place it on the table!

Add the stem to your pumpkin

Finally, hot glue two pairs of cinnamon sticks together to make the stem. Add some hot glue to the bottom of the cinnamon stick bundle and insert it into the center of the pumpkin.

Note – in my photos you will see that I also used a wine cork wrapped in “moss roll”. I honestly don’t remember where I got it. But I did a search online and found something similar here.

Tip: If you want to add raffia it’s easiest to tie that around the bundle before gluing it into the pumpkin.

Ideas for decorating your mason jar lid pumpkins

I’ve seen a few different designs of these canning lid pumpkins. I’ve listed some of my favorite designs at the end of this post. My #1 favorite uses strips of book pages to decorate the outside of the pumpkin and I just love the way it looks! There are more ideas below on what you can use to personalize yours.

Ideas for making the stem:

• corks
• cinnamon sticks
• twigs
• tree bark
• rolled paper or scrapbook paper

Ideas for embellishing:

• twine
• raffia
• ribbon
• jute
• baker’s twine
• silk or dried flowers
• tiny pinecones
• faux berries
• moss
• butterflies or birds

Ideas for decorating the pumpkin:

• Spray paint
• duct tape
• washi tape
• fabric tape
• ribbon
• book pages
• maps
• sheet music
• photos cut into strips
• polka dots (use the handle end of a paintbrush dipped in paint)
• scrapbook paper
• newspaper

Displaying Your Canning Lid Pumpkin

This seems like a no-brainer right? Put it on the table or shelf and you’re done. But you can also buy some of those battery operated string lights and put them inside your pumpkin. How beautiful would that be? Another idea is to use fewer bands so that there are more gaps between them when done, then insert some burlap or lace ribbon inside.

Some of my favorite jar lid pumpkin variations

I’ve seen a lot of different ways to make and decorate these pumpkins. Here are some of my favorites, what are yours?

1. vintage farmhouse pumpkin
2. Rustic with silver and gold bands
3. Chevron washi tape design
4. Gingham design with fabric tape

You might also like my easy fabric pumpkins and be sure to check out all of my adult craft ideas here!

More Mason Jar Lid Craft Ideas

• Mason Jar Lid Snowman
• Canning Lid Snowman Ornament
• Gingerbread Man Canning Lid Ornament
• Cheese Grater Owl
• Minion Ornaments for Christmas
• Mason Jar Lid Coasters

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Print Project

5 from 9 votes

Mason Jar Lid Pumpkins

Surely you've seen the mason jar lid pumpkins on the web the last few years. Making a pumpkin out of canning lids is easy and there are several variations.

Age Group: Adult Crafts

Project Type: Fall

Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

• 24-25 canning bands
• 2 pipe cleaners or yarn/string
• 4 cinnamon sticks

Optional supplies:

• Spray paint
• Raffia ribbon, twine or string
• Silk flowers berries, etc

Craft tools

• Hot glue gun

Instructions

• If you want your pumpkin painted, spray paint all the canning bands , applying two coats per side and allowing them to dry 20 minutes between coats.
• Make sure all the bands are going in the same direction.
• Twist two pipe cleaners together to make one long pipe cleaner. Twist and secure it tightly.
• Run the pipe cleaner through the bands, connect all your bands together with the pipe cleaner, securing it as tight as you can.
• Fan them out if needed, but you’ll be surprised by how your pumpkin will just naturally form when you place it on the table!
• Finally hot glue two pairs of cinnamon sticks together to make the stem. Add some hot glue to the bottom of the cinnamon stick bundle and insert it into the center of the pumpkin.

Expert Tips & FAQs

• If you want to add raffia it’s easiest to tie that around the bundle before gluing it into the pumpkin.
• For the smaller pumpkin you can get away with using just one pipe cleaner. You will definitely need two for the larger size.

This post was originally published on this blog on Aug 18, 2017.