Here is another fantastic post from Natalie!
I have a love for antique blue mason jars. But if they are in good repair-the are so spendy! Why not make them myself!
After doing a little research, I saw that many creative people had made really beautiful colored jars in a variety of ways. Many people painted the inside of their jars which they said made for a more even finish. I wanted to be able to display the flowers my children brought in from the yard so I painted the outside. Most recipes called for Mod Podge, food coloring and a splash of water. Actually, my first batch completely omitted the water. I would like to say this was on purpose, but really it was more to do with the fact it was a really long day! So here is what I did:
Mix the Mod Podge with food coloring. I used about a 1/4 cup of Mod Podge (glossy) and it covered 4 small jars with a good amount left over. I did use a good amount of food coloring; you can see how dark the solution was in the picture below. If you would like a more transparent finish, then add about a tablespoon of water. Turn your jar upside down and brush the Mod Podge on the jar. I used a foam brush but still had streaks. Maybe a more watery solution would keep this from happening.
Bake at 175 degrees until all the Mod Podge has turned from opaque to transparent. Let cool and then spray with a clear sealant if you plan to use water in the jars. Now I’m on a hunt to find tiny jars to paint the colors of the rainbow! How fun would those be with the afternoon sun shining through? These would make beautiful centerpieces on the dining table. You could even use the colors of the season! I’m thinking rich autumn colors: hazelnut brown and burnt orange… I wonder if Wilton’s makes food coloring in those colors!
Has anyone else tried this project? I had a problem with the Mod Podge caking around the rim of the jar. Any suggestions on how to prevent this? What other tips do you have?
About Natalie
What a COOL idea! Can’t wait to try this. Since it’s ModPodge, I wonder if multiple colors on a single piece would work as well?
I’m not sure… I wouldn’t see why not! I would love to hear how they turned out!
what a great idea for adorable wedding decorations! paint them in your wedding colors and put a tea light in them…that would be beautiful!
How lovely would that be! You could make it modern monochromatic… or vintage-y! Love it!
What a great idea!
They’re super easy!
You know I love my blue mason jars! Love this idea!
Antique w/o the price tag.
I love the blue! What a pretty color!
So pretty when the light shines through!
That is an awesome idea! I had no clue that was how you did that!
It was fun too. It might even make a good kid project… if your kids were old enough to work with glass, I suppose!
You’ve officially been pinned on Pinterest. This is a great idea! Thank you for the tutorial.
YAY! Thanks for that!
Oh my gosh I just saw something like this last week on another website and loved them. I’m so glad you shared how to create these! Thank you can’t wait to try it out!
I’m going to be scouting around for funky vases next.
Would LOVE it if you would link this project up at my turquoise lovin’ party going on right now!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2011/09/turquoise-lovin-3.html
I just did! What a gorgeous collection! Thanks for the invite!
What an adorable project. I would never have thought of painting the jars to change the color. Thanks for the inspiration.
If you have a spare minute I would love it if you would enter my giveaway for a custom made pinstripe skirt with pockets.
http://theorchardinbloom.blogspot.com/2011/08/pinstripe-skirt-giveaway.html
Great job on the jars. I love the color! I would love for you to share this project on my Inspiration Board {link party}. I know my readers would really enjoy it.
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/09/inspiration-board-link-party-14.html
Hope to see you there.
carolyn | homework
what type of food color did you use? gel/paste or liquid? this is adorable, btw! i wanna do it!
I used gel food coloring… Wilton’s I think. I wanted as deep of colors as possible, plus I love their selection.
Does the clear sealant make them waterproof? I’ve found ways to make the color permanent with stain but it turns out rather streaky. If the clear sealant prevents water damage maybe the insides could be done and sealed and it would prevent clotting at the rim as well???
I would love to make these for my wedding but I want to make sure that they are waterproof first!
The clear sealant I used made them able to hold up to water being splashed on them when you fill them up to use as vases. I really don’t think what I used would stand up to having water constantly against the surface-like if you used it on the inside. There are a number of people who have used this idea for their centerpieces-have you taken a peek at projects like these on Pintrest?
I’ve been looking at tutorials to do this and yours seem like the easiest and the ones that turn out the best! Thank you so much for posting this, I am using Mason jars as my centerpieces for my wedding and want to dye them orange and purple to match my colors. I know that there are many different varieties of Modge Podge, like glossy or matte, etc. Which type did you use? Thanks in advance!
Thanks! I think I used a bit less water than what most tutorials called for. That is why they are so vivid! I love the idea of using them for centerpieces at your wedding. Orange and purple sound beautiful! I used the glossy version of Mod Podge, and then I also sprayed them with a bit of clear sealant-also in glossy. Good luck on the project! I am sure they will be fabulous for your big day!
Where was this blog 6 months ago?!? I was clueless on how to turn my regular jars into BLUE jars so I purchased glass paint. It turned out beautiful, it streaks though (which made a really neat effect) and took multiple layers.. I may try this version out for fun! Thanks!
I love this! I just wish I would have seen these sooner. When my cousin got married last May, these would have def been used in her rustic themed reception!
Wouldn’t they be an easy and cheap way to decorate for a special event-esp a wedding!
Are they water proof enough to hand wash?
I haven’t really hand washed mine. I’ve wiped up droplets of water and they seem to be just fine for that. I think it would depend on how “heavy duty” the sealant you used was. Theoretically, if it’s waterproof, I think they would be hand-washable.
can these jars be used as drinking glasses also? I’m thinking of favors for my daughters wedding. color jar to bottom of rim threads. then add ice tea spoon, drink mix, straw and a cute saying.any suggestions on saying? I’m also thinking maybe make a large amount of paint mix in a bucket and hold from top and dip into paint maybe no streaks this way? are sealants able to be used for finish if using as a drink glass? thanks in advance.
I’m sorry for the delay! I just now saw your comment. I personally would not use them as drinking glasses. The sealant that I used is not food safe, and I’m not sure if one exists that would stand up to liquid being sloshed on it. I have also not tried the dipping and therefore have no idea if that would produce less streaks. It’s a great idea though! Good luck!
LOVE this look! I am planning on making these for my wedding and suggesting these to my wedding clients. Great inspiration!
Finding this just made my day!! I will be making some purple and red jars in my near future!!!
Thanks
Jamie..
Roughly how long should I bake the jars? Does their size matter on how long you bake them or at what temperture?
If I remember correctly, I baked mine at my ovens lowest setting, 175 degrees I think. And it was for about 25 minutes and then I let them cool as the oven got cold. Hope this helps!
I’m trying to make these foe my wedding! I’m using Vitrea 160 glass paint, then baking it to make them waterproof. I’m having issues with the paintbrush making them streaky. So I’m going to use some paint thinner to try an smooth out the streaks. I’ve also heard that using a Mr Clean Magic Eraser to paint with works too. So, I’m going to try this next to see if I can get the results I’m looking for.
What type of sealant did you use? Was it specifically for glass! I have some rather tall vases I’d like to do but i think my oven is too small for them to stand up.
I just tried this & they turned out pretty well! I’ve been making mason jar wine glasses so this is perfect to add a little something extra! To make them drink friendly I did not paint the rim or the inside. I did have a little problem with bubbles & streaking but nothing bad. I made blue & purple both with liquid food coloring & sealed them w a high gloss sealant to make them “heavy water resistant” so hand wash but no soaking or dishwasher! Thanks so much for the beautiful idea!!