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Nothing says spring like a beautiful bouquet in an even more dazzling vase.

With DIY projects officially pronounced as one of the top trends for 2013, it only makes sense we all incorporate it in our home décor. Everyone has old mason jars rolling around in their pantries (or you can get some very cheaply online). The only logical question is what CAN you do with them. Naturally, your imagination is the limit. I have seen thrifty mums make fascinating redneck wine glasses with mason jars and candle holders, fabulous chandeliers and even fancy cocktail glasses.

Let’s begin with something easier, though. For me the best way to master the thrifty mum’s DIY skills is one step at a time. So, I would like to start with the basics: how to paint mason jars. There are two paths you can take:

  1. Paint the insides of the jars – this will give you a nice glossy finish (just like the one in my pictures);
  2. Paint the exterior of the jars – this is particularly useful if you want to create shabby chick vases with a little bit worn out look. Just like the ones in Mason Jar Crafts Love.

Items You Will Need to Paint the Mason Jars:

  1. Mason Jars (as many as you would like to paint);
  2. Acrylic Paints (your favourite spring colours);
  3. Brushes or Plastic Spoons;
  4. Cardboard/ Kitchen Paper/ Old Magazines or Newspapers.
*Note: If you need to mix the paints to get a brighter colour, you should also get disposable containers. For instance, if you prefer baby pink instead of passionate magenta, you can mix red and white.

How to Paint the Mason Jars:

1. Mix the Paint (if necessary).

In case you plan to colorise several jars with the same paint, you can prepare the mixture in a plastic container. However, this step is only necessary if you aren’t happy with the original shades and hues in your acrylic paint set.

2. Squirt Paint into the Jar. 

Fill about half an inch from the bottom and close the mason jar with its lid.

mason jar crafts

3. Shake the Jar.

This is the most entertaining part of the entire project. Just make sure the paint has covered every inch of the jar before you stop shaking.

You can enlist the help of your little angels. I can guarantee they will have fun assisting mummy. Well, you also risk loosing some of the mason jars in the process but in my opinion it is well worth it.

One simple warning, though, make sure you do this outdoors or in a secure environment as cleaning acrylic paint is not a fun job.

4. Turn the Jars Upside Down.

Once the entire inner surface of the mason jars is covered with acrylic paint, you should open the lid and carefully turn them upside down. Make it on a piece of cardboard, several layers of kitchen paper or on an old magazine. As long as you are certain the paint drips won’t soak in them and get to the surface underneath, you needn’t worry about anything. Leave the jars turned upside down for 24 hours (enough time for the acrylic paint to dry completely).

mason jar crafts

Have fun decorating your brand new vases!

Don’t forget that these painted mason jars are only suitable for decoration. You shouldn’t use them to serve beverages!

 

  • these look amazing, thanks for sharing

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  • wow. very creative. i love it.

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  • Thanks everyone for the kind words! This is my first post here on MoM and I am excited to see your comments.

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  • what a great idea for a bit of colour.

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  • A creative and interesting article

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  • That is a really good idea and great present for someone

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  • Creative idea to use recycling product. Thank you for sharing. I have lots of empty jars, will make some then.


    • I am happy you liked it, Meimei 🙂 I would love to hear how it goes with your jars 🙂

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  • lOVE THIS! buying some to do today

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  • my sister winds rope or string around the jar gluing the rope/string as she goes – you can then paint with coloured paint/or use spray paint and then coat with varnish – decorate with dried flowers/seeds/seed pods/shells/etc (even ribbons/crochet flowers) – let your imagination go and experiment for different effects…


    • Your sister uses a lot of imagination. I am certain her project look dazzling. A friend of mine also uses old pantyhose to ‘dress’ up the jars and makes roses and other figures from it. I also looks pretty amazing, so I guess as usual only our imagination is the limit to our abilities 🙂

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  • we used to cover jars in putty when I was little and then push shells into the putty and when dry (after a couple of weeks) paint with varnish = one way of using the shells collected on a family outing to the beach and having a vase made from a family
    outing

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  • What a great and useful recycling idea.

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  • Great idea recycling of other products like this too would be great save the environment.

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  • I used clear bottles and Jars of different sizes for a party table setting..They turned out great , but unfortunately because of personal reason didn’t get to use them..party was canceled..but i have them here for another occasion in the future. So much fun to make.

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  • Mason Jars were a brand of jars. Of course you could use any jars and I was thinking that the local thrift shops would have some different glass things that this would adapt to quite well without having to buy those particular jars online.

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  • Why are they called “mason” jars? Why not just glass jars or even jars?


    • The jars are called ‘mason’ or ‘bell’ after their inventors John Landis Mason and later Ball Corporation. If you are interested in reading more about the history of these jars, you can check out wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mason_jar . Personally, I think you can call them just jars, too. But when you say mason jars you can be certain everyone will imagine exactly this type of jars (size, shape and etc.) 🙂

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  • Great idea – and they look good.

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  • thanks for this, a great idea to make nice plant gifts

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  • wow I love this idea. I have been looking for fun things to do with my little girl & maybe depending on well they come out I can use them as centerpieces for my upcoming wedding 🙂 it will be my little touch of mummy & daughter 🙂 Thank you


    • This is so sweet. I am so happy I inspired you to do a project with your daughter for the wedding. I m sure the painted jars will be lovely!

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  • What a good colourful idea! I’m definatley going to try this and decorate my Kitchen windowsill with such colourful jars!!

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