The Best Four Mason Jar Crafts

1. 1

   Pick a Mason jar that is just right for your craft. Don't forget to think about the final purpose of your decorated jar. Picking the right size, shape, and color of mason jar for your task can be a bit of a challenge due to the wide range of options available.

   • You should choose a larger jar if, for instance, you intend to use it as a flower vase. Choose a narrow and short Mason jar if you plan to store cosmetics and toiletries in it.
   • Be sure to wash your Mason jar with dish soap and hot water if it is old or looks dirty. Do not apply paint until it has had ample time to air dry or has been thoroughly dried.
   • You can find mason jars in a variety of sizes and shapes at most craft stores, grocery stores, and even some home improvement stores.

2. 2

   Make a decision as to whether the Mason jar will be painted on the inside or the outside. If you want precise control over the paint application and the freedom to make elaborate designs, painting the exterior is the way to go. However, painting the interior can be useful because it won't be touched as often and therefore won't wear off as quickly.

   • Never paint the inside of the jar if you plan on storing food, skincare products, or living things. Stored items could be damaged by the toxic chemicals in paint.

   Advertisement

3. 3

   Pick out a shade of color Pick a spray paint if you need something applied quickly, or a brush paint if you want to get intricate with your designs. [2] [3] Make sure the paint you use is designed for use on glass surfaces so that it does not peel off.

   • Using a can of metallic spray paint, you can transform a plain Mason jar into a stylish container for flowers or other items.
   • The addition of a tea light and some glitter spray or brush-on paint makes for a festive holiday candle that can be left out all year. [4]
   • Painting a Mason jar with chalkboard paint can make it useful as a kitchen storage container or a kid-friendly craft. [5]
   • Choose a mirror spray paint and put some white vinegar in a disposable spray bottle to achieve the appearance of antique mercury glass.
4. 

   4

   If you don't want to risk damaging your workspace by dropping the jar, cover the area underneath it and around you. If you need to cover a large area with spray paint, use a tarp or newspapers. Brush-on paint allows for greater control during application, so smaller protective materials like cardboard or paper towels can be used. Always make sure there is adequate ventilation when painting, no matter what kind of paint you're using.

   • When working with spray paint, it's best to do so outside or in a garage because the paint will likely spread further than you anticipate. [6]

5. 5

   You need to take the top off and cover anything that you don't want painted. If you want to paint the outside of your Mason jar, you must turn it upside down. Any stray paint from the previous coat won't be able to fall into the hole now. Mask off the top of the Mason jar before painting inside of it to avoid getting any paint on the outside of the jar.

   • Use painter's tape to cover the parts of your Mason jar that you don't want to paint before you begin your design.
6. 

   6

   Apply one coat of paint to the jar in an even coat using a spray can or brush. To prevent paint from pooling in one area, rotate the Mason jar as you spray or paint the entire surface.

   • Applying paint with a brush? Start with a thin coat to prevent dripping and oversaturation. After the first coat dries, you can add as many as three more to ensure complete coverage.
   • Be sure to shake your can of spray paint according to the manufacturer's instructions before using it. To avoid splattering, keep the spray bottle a safe distance from your jar, preferably several inches.

7. 7

   Set the Mason jar aside to dry. If you want to know how long your paint will take to dry, read the label. Drying time is affected by paint type, number of coats, and temperature. [7] Dry the jar thoroughly before putting anything in it, whether it's for storage or decoration.

Advertisement

1. 1

   Pick the Mosaic Tiles You Want to Use Think about the final look and feel you want to achieve when decorating with your Mason jar. A Mason jar can be mosaicked with a wide variety of small decorative items. This includes seashells, glass, seaglass, mirrors, and broken tiles. You can buy these items already broken down into smaller pieces or make them yourself.

   • Seashells and seaglass, for instance, would make wonderful mosaic material for a beachy candle holder. Using broken tiles to decorate your Mason jar can give it a more bohemian, hippie feel.
   • In order to make your own mosaic materials, you can either drop or throw the glass, mirror, or tiles on the ground to break them, or you can use a hammer and a hard surface to break them. [8] Wear protective eyewear and gloves, cover the entire work area, and vacuum thoroughly when you're done.

2. 2

   Make a decision on a mosaic pattern. The best way to determine the layout of your mosaic is to lay out all of the pieces on a flat surface and play around with different arrangements. [9] If you want to know how many mosaic pieces you need for each side of your Mason jar, you can do so by first drawing the jar's outline with a pencil on a piece of paper. To recreate your exact design, carefully take out each mosaic tile from your arrangement and place it in its corresponding location on the actual jar.

3. 

   3

   Embed the mosaic tiles into the Mason jar using glue. Use a moderate drop of mosaic adhesive to coat the back of a mosaic tile. Position the adhesive side of the label where you want it on the Mason jar. The mosaic piece needs to be held in place for a few seconds before moving on to the next step of gluing. Mosaic the entire Mason jar in this manner, or finish your pattern as many times as necessary.

   • Before you start gluing your mosaic pieces into your Mason jar, give it a good cleaning and let it dry completely.

4. 4

   The adhesive needs at least 5 or 6 hours to fully cure. It is recommended to wait 5–6 hours for the adhesive to cure, but you can always check the adhesive's packaging for the precise curing time. Even though you can start working with a mosaic adhesive as soon as it sets (usually around 5 minutes), it will take several hours for the adhesive to fully cure and the pieces to feel completely attached to the Mason jar. While you might be eager to move on, you shouldn't begin grouting until the adhesive has fully cured. [10]

   • If you grout before the adhesive has cured, your mosaic pieces may shift or fall off, requiring you to re-adhere them and wait an additional 5 to 6 hours for the new adhesive to cure.
5. 

   5

   Rub grout all over your mosaic. Grout all of the mosaic areas on your Mason jar using your hands or a small craft knife. Don't bother hiding your mosaic; you'll be washing it off anyway. Always use extra grout to ensure that all the cracks are filled. [11] Allow the grout to sit for the recommended amount of time (20-30 minutes).

   • Ready-to-use mosaic grout can be purchased at most hobby shops. You can buy pre-mixed grout, but if you want to make your own mosaic grout, just follow the directions on the label.
   • You might want to protect your hands with gloves if you plan on using your bare hands to apply grout, as mosaic grout can be tough to get off of skin.
   • Consider dyeing the grout before applying it to your Mason jar mosaic for an extra splash of color.
6. 

   6

   Eliminate any lingering grout residue by wiping it away. With medium pressure, wipe the grout off the mosaic tiles with a lightly dampened sponge or paper towel. Let your mosaic Mason jar dry for a full day after you're done working on it.

   • If after 30 minutes your mosaic pieces still look cloudy from the grout, do it all over again. [12]
7. 

   7

   Spread a small amount of mosaic sealer over the surface. Spread a thin layer of mosaic sealer all over the bottle using a paintbrush. This will give your mosaic a nice sheen and shield it from dust and moisture.

   • After the mosaic sealer has dried as directed on the bottle, your personalized Mason jar is ready for use!

Advertisement

1. 1

   Rusticize your Mason jar by gluing burlap around the neck. Take your measurements from top to bottom and around the widest part of your Mason jar. Cut the fabric into a 2-inch (5-centimeter) wide strip using fabric shears. Make sure your fabric is 1 inch (2. 5 cm) longer than the circumference of your Mason jar so it can wrap around the jar completely. From 2.5 inches (6.5 cm) to 3.5 inches (8. 6 cm) shorter than the jar's overall height Apply glue from a hot glue gun to the burlap strip, wrap it around the Mason jar, and hold it in place until the glue has dried. [13]

   • Make the fabric wider to your liking if you'd like to cover more of your Mason jar. Thinner strips of fabric will reveal more of the jar.
   • You can tie the burlap to the Mason jar with string or twine if you prefer. Twine or string should be cut to be twice as long as the jar's rim for this purpose. Burlap should be wrapped around the Mason jar, and then the twine or string should be tied around the burlap in the middle. Tie or bow it tight. [14]

2. 2

   To make a flower vase or storage jar look more at home in a country cottage, cover it with lace or a doily. If you're going to use a doily or lace, lay it out flat on a safe surface first. Apply glue evenly along the edges and across most of the fabric using a glue gun. [15] Select the fabric and carefully position it on the Mason jar. Keep your hand on it for at least 30 seconds to make sure it's attached properly. Wait for it to dry as directed by your glue's packaging.

   • You need to use lace or a doily that is the right size for your Mason jar. The ideal size is one that fits snugly over the jar without being trimmed. Due to their fragility, doilies and lace fabric should be cut with care.
   • A hot glue gun is the best tool for permanently attaching fabric to your Mason jar, but any craft adhesive made for glass will do. Use a tiny paintbrush and apply it carefully.

3. 3

   String, ribbon, or twine can be used as a quick and easy way to decorate Mason jars. Decide which part of the Mason jar you want to decorate by measuring its circumference; this could be the neck (the area just below where the cap screws on) or the body (the thickest part of the jar). The length of the string, ribbon, or twine you use should be roughly equal to two times the measured circumference. Secure with a bow or knot and wrap around the jar.

   • After wrapping the Mason jar in string, ribbon, or twine, you may want to cut off any excess if it's going to get in the way.
   • Cut a one-inch (2.5 cm) thick plank if you're going for a rustic farmhouse look but need a more substantial material. Inches) to centimeters (cm) Replace string, ribbon, or twine with a thin (about 1 cm / 0.39 in.

Advertisement

1. 1

   Make sure your Mason jar is spotless. Clean everything thoroughly with dish soap and water. Hang up to dry or thoroughly dry with a towel. However, the glass must be completely dry for Mod Podge to adhere properly. [16]

2. 2

   Decoupage supplies, choose yours! You could use traditional decoupage materials like magazine cutouts or wrapping paper, or you could try something new like using paper maps, graph paper, or even your own printed photos. [17] The versatility of Mason jars means that you can use a wide variety of paper products as decoupage substrates. [18]

   • Use enough of your chosen material to decoupage the entire Mason jar, or as much of the jar as you'd like.
3. 

   3

   Using Mod Podge, cover the Mason jar completely. You can apply Mod Podge to the jar by dipping a paintbrush into the glue and then applying it with a paintbrush. If you want to decoupage the entire jar, you'll need to paint the inside of the neck so that you can fold your material over the top and adhere it to the inside of the neck to cover the rim of the jar. [19]

4. 

   4

   Wrap the Mason jar in the decoupage material. Before the Mod Podge dries, begin applying your materials to the Mason jar. After the material has been pressed into place around the jar's base, move on to the neck. The paper should be pressed around the jar's neck to ensure a good seal.

   • In the case of a single sheet of paper, it should be wrapped snugly around the Mason jar from top to bottom. Place each smaller piece of paper where you want it on the jar and press down firmly if you are using more than one.
   • To facilitate its folding, snip a few notches into the top and bottom of the excess material. Then, press the top and bottom folds to secure any loose fabric.
5. 

   5

   Wrap the Mason jar in Mod Podge and let it dry. When everything is in place and firmly adhered to the Mason jar, give the outside a final coat of Mod Podge. [20] You must wait for the Mod Podge to dry as directed. [21]

6. 6

   Remove any unnecessary paper trimmings When the Mod Podge has dried completely, trim away any overhanging or sagging paper with a pair of scissors. If you are unable to trim as neatly as you'd like, apply another layer of Mod Podge to keep any remaining pieces in place. Do not use anything until the repairs have dried.

Advertisement

Pose a Question