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. 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.
Mason Jar Lid Pumpkins
I buy a ton of mason jars, but not for canning like most people. I make a lot of luminaries, 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!
Supplies you need:
- 24-25 canning bands (the lids are the round, flat pieces)*
- 2 pipe cleaners or yarn/string
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- Hot glue gun
Optional supplies:
- Spray paint
- Raffia, ribbon, twine or string
- Silk flowers, berries, etc
*Canning lids and bands can be purchased separately from mason jars. Depending on the size (wide mouth or regular) they will cost you approximately $3-$7 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 can be used over and over.
RELATED: There are many uses for canning lids and bands. I can show you how to make this canning lid snowman ornament for Christmas. They make wonderful homemade gifts!
How to make mason jar lid pumpkins:
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 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 it 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 inserting 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?
- vintage farmhouse pumpkin
- Rustic with silver and gold bands
- Chevron washi tape design
- Gingham design with fabric tape
Be sure to check out all of my adult craft ideas here!
- 24-25 canning bands
- 2 pipe cleaners or yarn/string
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- Hot glue gun
- Spray paint
- Raffia, ribbon, twine or string
- Silk flowers, berries, etc
- 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.
Amanda Formaro
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That was so cute and clever and thanks for all of the tips
Mason jar lids (rings) can be used over and over just like the jar. It’s the flat disk seal that can only be used once. The rings can be removed as soon as the seal pops and used in another canning batch right away. FYI from someone who still cans.