Let these festive glass jar party lights set a magical mood at your next outdoor gathering! They cost very little, last for years, and are so quick and easy to do, you'll want to make several, all in different colors.

Here's what you'll need for each:

• empty glass jar
• approximately 7 feet of 20-gauge copper or brass wire
• short length of 22-gauge wire
• electric drill
• pliers
• large cup hook with long shank
• glass stain paints
• short, fat candle
• approx. 1/2 cup of sand

1. Loop 7-foot length of 20-gauge wire into a circle. Hook two ends together with pliers.
2. Bend wire circle in half with join centered on one long end.
3. Place wire circle over neck of jar below lip, with about three feet extending on either side, and joined area up against neck of jar.
4. Using pliers, twist left-hand loop tight against neck of jar.
5. Insert cup hook into drill.
6. Holding wire firmly against neck of jar, slip right-hand loop over cup hook. Pulling loop taut, run drill at its lowest speed. Allow wire to twist tightly up to neck of jar.
7. Repeat with left-hand loop.
8. Bend two twisted loops straight up above jar. Take piece of 22-gauge wire and tie loops together about 4 inches from ends.
9. Use pliers to shape 4-inch ends into coils, spirals or any interesting shape. See illustration.

Here's all you need:

1. Five clay flowerpots in varying sizes, none larger than 4 inches diameter (you may already have a few of these lying around yard!)
2. Wooden beads (from crafts store). For a complete set of chimes, you will need five beads of 3/4 inches diameter, and ten beads of 5/8 inch diameter.
3. Two or three plastic salad container covers (from salad bar).
4. Five one-inch plastic curtain rings (Bates makes these of Luxite, and a package of 15 sells for about $1.35.)
5. Stained glass paints in varying colors (optional), also from crafts store.
6. Approximately 15 yards of nylon or polypropylene garden twine.

Ready:

If your pots have been around block a few times, you might need to give them a bath. Scrub them with hot soapy water and a stiff brush. After they have dried, check their physical condition by tapping gently with a fingernail. A clean, dry, undamaged pot will reward you with a resonant ring.

Now is a good time (while you are waiting for your pots to dry) to cut your plastic rectangles. From salad container covers, cut one each of these sizes:

• 2" x 6"
• 2" x 5 1-2"
• 2" x 5"
• 2" x 4 1-2"
• 2" x 4"

Set:

For each chime, set aside:

• one flower pot
• one 3/4 inch wooden bead (this will serve as clapper)
• two 5/8 inch wooden beads
• one curtain ring
• one plastic rectangle (matched by size to pot)
• one piece of garden twine, about 3 yards long

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