I found these great ideas for making gifts this year, but I ran up on this one that is really intreaguing... they put potpourri in jars, and there is lights on the outside of the jars!! How would this be possible? And what would power the lights??
Here's the link to the site I found in case anyone's interested in seeing them.
HI, I have made several of these and what i did was get the tiny strands of Xmas lights,(now is a great time to buy they are 1/2 price) You put the potpourri in the jar I also add tiny pine cones(at Micheals very inexpensive) and then with a pencil or thin dowel push the lights around the jar and you leave the end part hangin out(in the back) so you can plug it in. Then you cover the top with the doily!Because the lights are sticking out of the back you cant see the cord. They are real pretty and smell great, I use cinnamon potpourri for most of them.
Hugs Sandie
I have made these as well. They make adorable gifts using the lights and smell terrific. I recently learned on a different craft site that you can find battery operated lights. How cool. Everyone loved them even with the cord sticking out as you can not see it with the doily. Dcrafty4
I've made the jars you are talking about with the potpurri and the dolly on top, but instead iof running the cord out the top at the back I bought a drill bit for drilling glass. With a little practice you can drill a hole big enough in the back to slip the cord right out the bottom. I had to rewire the plug onto it because you don't want to cut a hole bigger than the wire. The bigger the hole the harder it is to cut without lots of breakage. Practrice on old jelly jars or whatever you have. To make the actual one I use canning jars. And yes this is the time of year I always buy my lights, small sets and you can get differnet colors also for other holidays. The past few years I have even found orange sets at Halloween. Good Luck!
__________________ cat lover We Welcome Strays
When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping"; now we just "chunky dunk"
Just came back this afternoon from Joanne Fabrics and Crafts. Found small sets of lights, 10 bulbs each, with battery holder, on sale for 89 cents. A year a go or so someone gave me a box of assorted old jars, some antiques, I think. Guess what my sisters will be getting for Christmas next year! Margaret
This is so awesome. I don't know much about drilling holes in glass but I am glad that worked for you. I love the idea you found the string of lights that work on battery....and for such a good price. Thanks for sharing, Dcrafty4
I have one of my jars that I never turn off and it doesn't get hot. I think the "secret" might be the smaller the jar the fewer lights you want in it. I think my quart jars have about 10 lights or so in it. I have a gallon jar that I use a 25 light set. You do want them to get somewhat warm as that is what sets off the aroma from the potpurri on the inside. I also "refresh" my potpurri by adding scented oils to it when it doesn't have a aroma to it like it did at first. Good Luck!
__________________ cat lover We Welcome Strays
When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping"; now we just "chunky dunk"
When I first started making my jars I used old pickle jars that i believe come in a gallon jar. A neighbor saved them for me from the restaurant she worked at. Then I went to quart jars and square jars I found at the dollar store. I used the 10 count lights in white. That doesn't seem like they got hot for me. The aroma is so delightful esp in the winter months. I love them. Dcrafty4
I may have to try and make some...Mine was already made for me...and I got scared cuz it seemed hot! Not warm...What would u charge for one of these? Too bad none of you are close to me..I can come buy one without shipping
When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping"; now we just "chunky dunk" 
