Hello, tuna(@miyakojimalife_) (^^)
I currently live on Miyakojima Island while doing DIY projects at my grandparents’ house.
I live in an area of Miyakojima with a high concentration of homes, but even so, there are few streetlights, so the yards and outdoor walkways are very dark. On the bright side, this means the moonlight and stars are absolutely beautiful (￣∀￣)
It’s a real hassle to unlock the front door when the neighbors have their lights off.
So, while adding a stylish touch to the outdoor walkways and garden, they wanted a little bit of lighting, so
I looked for an affordable solar-powered LED outdoor light.
I want a stylish outdoor lamp
I want a solar panel that’s energy-efficient and easy on the wallet.
But I still want to create a nice atmosphere with stylish outdoor lighting!
So, what caught my eye was this product I found on Amazon
It’s incredibly stylish, and the way it gently illuminates the space really sparks the imagination.
However, each one costs as much as 1,000 yen…
The price isn’t exactly cheap ( ；∀；)
On top of that, the Mason jar isn’t the familiar Ball brand—it looks kind of cheap…
So I figured, “Why not just make it myself?” and decided to look for supplies on Alibaba.
That’s definitely “Made in China.”
They sell Mason jar lids that combine an LED light with a solar panel.
I thought, “I just have to buy this,” so I clicked to order it, and waited three weeks (which is unusually long since it was shipped from China).
Super-cheap LED sets delivered right to your door
The products were packed in a worn envelope that felt somehow nostalgic, even though it was my first time handling it.
It kind of feels Chinese to me.
The following items were inside:
① Hardware for hanging Mason jars
② Solar Panel and LED Components
The metal fittings do feel a bit flimsy, but the solar panel itself felt sturdier than I expected.
Plus, it’s IP67 waterproof, so it’s fine even if it rains!
This set of six cost 1,262 yen.
About 210 yen each
Cheap (￣▽￣;)
It’s a mystery how they’re shipping it from China…
Buy Ball Mason Jars on Amazon
When it came to Mason jars, I decided to go with Ball—they’re stylish and reliable.
It’s something like this
On Amazon, it was sold for 2,600 yen as a set of 6 plus a straw lid.
In other words, about 433 yen each
It’s inexpensive, but since it’s a historic bottle, it still costs a fair amount.
The delivery speed here is indeed remarkably fast; it arrived in Miyakojima in about a week.
For people living on the mainland, a week on Amazon is unthinkable, isn’t it? (laughs)
By the way, here’s a picture of it when it arrived
It definitely has that “typically American” look.
By the way, I remember seeing one at my grandmother’s house when I was a child.
Since Okinawa was under U.S. military rule for a long time, American products have taken root there.
My grandparents, who were born in the Taisho era, referred to canned tuna as “Tuna.”
Looking back now, it’s pretty shocking that I used to call water “Waraa = Water” just like a native speaker. Haha
Assembling a Mason Jar Lantern
Even though I say “assembly,”
① Remove the lid from the Mason jar
② Attach the hanging hardware
③ Attach the lid with the solar panel and LED attached to it
It only takes three steps to complete.
So I put it together with my kids.
It’s so easy to make that even kids can enjoy doing it.
And once it was finished, I tentatively placed my hand on the solar panel…
The LED turned on!
The kids are thrilled, too.
What a wonderful moment this is!
Installing the Mason Jar Light
First, the outdoor walkway
The video is shaky…
But it really has a nice vibe.
It looks like a traditional inn (if I do say so myself)
Next, I’ll set it up on the solid wood shelf I installed this summer.
This feels absolutely flawless.
I want to drink alcohol that I can’t drink under this light.
It captures the atmosphere better than I expected.
Now, here are the final costs.
Solar LED Set: 1,262 yen + Mason Jar: 2,600 yen
Total: 3,862 yen
Since I was able to make six of them,
Approximately 643 yen per item
You can make it for 455 yen less per item than buying it on Amazon.
However, when you factor in shipping time from China, some people might think Amazon is the better option (^^;)
In my case, I wanted to try a hands-on activity with my child, so Alibaba was fine.
After all, a child’s smile is truly priceless.
And the stylish, energy-efficient Mason Jar Light turned out to be a really good purchase.
I hope this article sparks some excitement for someone♪
Thank you for reading to the end*ᴗ ᴗ)⁾⁾
