At the change of every season, it is nice to have a vase that can stay there with every season and just change the contents inside. What a beautiful way to welcome every season with a painted glass jar vase. You can make one yourself with this mason jar crafts tutorial.

Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I receive a commission if you make a purchase. Affiliate relationships include, but are not limited to Amazon Associates, Walmart.com, and Etsy.

 

Mason Jar Crafts Tutorial for a Painted Glass Jar

 

Step 1 – Gather The Materials

For this project, you will need the following materials…

Materials

Step 2 – Plan Enough Time

Plan enough time for this project. You need two to three hours between coats and will need at least two coats. After the last coat is dry, you will need to let the spray matte finish dry overnight.

Step 3 – Put On An Apron and Remove Watch and Jewelry

I like to wear an apron and take off my rings and watch for this job.

 

Step 4 – Cover Your Table

I use a big roll of white paper that I received as a discard from a local music sheet printing factory. You could use the inside of a brown paper grocery bag or tag-board or newspaper. You just want to protect your table from the acrylic paint.

 

Step 5 – Clean Your Jars

For all mason jar crafts, you want to have clean jars. If the jars are new, you only need to clean the outside of the jar as we will not be eating or drinking from these. If the jars are used, wash them with dish soap and water and dry them. In both cases, you need to use the alcohol wipes to clean the outside of the jar before painting it.  If you don't have wipes, you can use rubbing alcohol and a clean cloth to wipe them. Clean the bottom of the jar too.

 

Step 6- Paint Your Jars

I put some of my paint in a paper bowl and use a foam one inch brush. I just use how much paint I think I will need because I throw both those items away at the end of my session. No cleaning brushes and sending paint down my drains!

Stand your jar with the opening facing up. Put a little paint on your foam brush. If you have too much, just wipe it on the side of the bowl a bit to remove some paint. Start at the top of the jar and paint right and left around the rim first. Do not paint the upper part of the mouth of the jar, just the outer side of it.

Now use up and down brushstrokes on the rest of the jar.

Leave a little space unpainted on the bottom to help you flip it. Now put your hand in the mouth of your jar and carefully turn your jars upside down.

You can use your open hand to grab the unpainted glass part of the bottom to help you stand it up on it's neck.

 

 

Step 7 – Paint The Bottoms

Then paint the bottoms. I paint the very bottom then connect the bottom to the sides with up and down strokes. You will find your own way to paint them. My adult daughter likes to hold the jar upside down on her hand to paint the first layer, blows on the bottom until it is dry, then stands it up to paint the second layer, which she details into artwork, maybe with a shooting star on it.

It's okay if it doesn't seem like it's covering. You will end up with two to three coats depending on how you like it.

When the first layer is dry, paint another layer, and another, if needed.

I like to get my kids involved, here is my seven and a half year old daughter's work in progress…

And here is my six year old son's work…

And my creative adult daughter's work station…

Step 8 – Spray The Glass Jars While Still Upside Down

Get a fan or open the windows so your room is properly ventilated. If you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system or breathing problems, please get someone else to do this step for you. You are fine to be around it once the room is aired and the jars are completely dry.

Spray the jars lightly and evenly with the matte acrylic spray sealer. Allow them to dry overnight.

 

Step 9 – Invert And Tie Jute Twine

Now invert the jars so they are standing upright. Tie the twine around the mouth of the jar. You may either wrap it around twice and then tie the ribbon or just tie it the first time. Both options are popular and beautiful.

Step 10 – To Distress or Not To Distress?

Some folks like to scuff it up a bit for that rustic country look. If you do, grab a rough surface item, like sandpaper, and carefully scruff it a bit here and there. You may not need to as it may get naturally scuffed with use. It is completely up to you.

 

Step 11 – Add the Artificial Flowers

Now you can add your artificial flowers. Because we only painted the outside, it is perfectly safe to have fresh cut flowers in water in these painted glass jars. You could also use them for pencil holders or other holders.

 

Washing Instructions

If your vase gets dirty, you need to be very careful when washing. They cannot go in the dishwasher. The outside of the jar cannot be immersed in water.  You will need to use a slightly wet cloth to gently clean the outside of the jar.

These Mason Jar Crafts Make Great Gifts

You can give these as gifts for Housewarming gifts, Christmas gifts, Mother's Day presents, birthday gifts, teacher gifts, babysitter gifts or day care provider gifts and so much more. They can also be used as homemade wedding centerpieces at a wedding reception.

 

 

Your children could make them as a gift for Grandma or Grandpa.

 

You Could Sell Them On Etsy!

If you enjoy making them so much that you would like to do it as a career, as I do, you can start an Etsy shop and sell them online and ship them to customers. You can see what I am currently selling on Etsy HERE.

 

You Could Scent Them Naturally With Essential Oils

To scent them, just take a cotton cloth or piece of paper towel and get it wet and squeeze out the water. Add 4 drops of your favorite essential oil, maybe lavender if you have purple lavender flowers, then tuck the towel inside the jar under the flowers.

 

HOW TO BUY YOUNG LIVING OILS WITHOUT BECOMING A DISTRIBUTOR

 

If you would like to buy this tutorial…

My large family of ten would be so thankful if you chose our Etsy shop to buy  this printable tutorial! You can click HERE or on the photo below to head right over to the listing on Etsy.

Materials

Subscribe so you never miss a post.

Please share this post.