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Mason Jar Crafts: 60+ Unique Ideas

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By: Author Amy

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Do you love mason jar crafts? I’m obsessed with the countless ways to decorate jars; here are some DIY projects using glass jars I think you’ll love.

Are you wanting to try some creative jar DIY ideas? Of course you are – they are all the rage right now! There are so many things I love about mason jars, and one of the biggest is that they are really easy to craft with.

I’m talking about instant gratification. I’ve done a few projects with mason jars and loved the results.

A lot of people are intimidated by working with glass of any sort, but there’s no reason to be. It’s basically the same as working with other craft surfaces, you just have to be more careful since the likelihood of breaking is obviously increased.

Mason jar crafts are perfect for decor and gifts – those are my two favorite uses. Making decor with mason jars is pretty awesome, especially when you can dig jars out of the recycling bin (hello, free!).

I also love giving gifts in mason jars because the packaging is also the gift. Me likey giving and receiving mason jar gifts. If you feel that way too you’ll love our Christmas mason jars, by the way.

Preparing Jars for Crafts

Before you get started, remove labels from the jars using one of our DIY sticker remover methods.

Mason jars tend to get greasy fingerprints on the outside from so much handling, so I always recommend washing them with a mild soap and water and letting dry. You can also use rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball to clean the glass if you need.

Painting Mason Jars

You can paint mason jars before decoupaging over the top. If you use any sort of paint, it should be either a spray paint (like a primer) or an acrylic paint made for glass.

This means the paint needs to be an enamel or multi surface paint. You should definitely make sure to clean the jars before painting if you want it to stick.

Get my best tips for painting on glass.

You can also DYE mason jars with Mod Podge and drops of food coloring. Learn how to do that here. I also have a post so you can learn how to Mod Podge on glass.

Mod Podge is an acrylic product so it works with/over the top of acrylic paint just fine. You can also use chalk paint or milk paint. You’ll see some painted mason jars in the projects below. We have a guide on how to paint mason jars you’ll definitely want to reference.

Decoupage Formula

You can use just about any Mod Podge formula with mason jars. Glass is shiny by nature, so Gloss is the most commonly used on mason jar decor. However, you can always use the Matte or Satin formulas if you are looking for a bit of a different finish.

Using Lights

You can absolutely use tea lights for mason jar lights – real or battery powered. Just keep in mind that the Mod Podge should be on the outside of the jar if you are planning on using real tea lights.

The glass will act as a barrier and, while the jar might get a little hot, it’ll be fine and nothing will melt (PS – Mod Podge is non-flammable, but it can melt when exposed to direct flame or heat).

You can also use Christmas lights or fairy lights in your mason jar decor. They look great!

Photo courtesy of The Creative Place

Special Techniques

Remember that both the tops and bottoms of mason jars are curved. If you are going to Mod Podge mason jars completely from top to bottom, you’re going to need to place darts in the paper or fabric (similar to a sewing pattern).

To adds darts means to cut a triangle in the paper or fabric and then fold over. You can see in the image above.

Do you want to color mason jars with Mod Podge? Get our colored mason jars technique here on the blog. It’s a fun one.


Besides the above, there’s not much else you need to do besides experiment and have fun! Putting Mod Podge on a jar is simple, and there are a lot of options.

In fact, here are 60+ unique ways to decoupage mason jars. Which one inspires you the most?


Which of these creative jar DIY ideas is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Want to see our tips for crafting with mason jars in video format? Click PLAY on the video in this post to see them!

Have you tried any of these jar decoration ideas? I’d love to hear in the comments – especially if you’ve done something new that I’ve never seen!

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65 Great Mason Jar Ideas

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Leftover foods and tasty smoothies would be nothing if not for Mason jars, but you might not be aware of their many, many uses outside the kitchen. The versatile vessels have quickly evolved from just a simple canning necessity to an essential wedding decoration, easy craft project base, and overall country home staple. There’s truly no limit when it comes to the amount of creative Mason jar decor ideas and at-home hacks there are out there, all of which will make you question why you never thought of them in the first place. Ever considered a DIY Mason jar matchbox, for example? We thought not—and there’s so much more where that came from, including hanging magnetic jars, clever light fixtures, genius space-saving bathroom storage, and, naturally, gorgeous flower vases. Give your home a rustic touch without breaking the bank thanks to these beautiful Mason jar ideas. You’ll never look at these little guys the same again—and that’s a promise.

The Country Chic Cottage

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Toothbrush Holder

Your kids officially have no more excuses for a messy bathroom countertop with this Mason jar toothbrush holder.

Get the tutorial at The Country Chic Cottage.

SHOP CHICKEN WIRE

More Like Grace

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Lid Coasters

Whether you've put your Mason jar to use as a vase or pencil holder, salvage the lids for a project of their own: drink coasters. Mix and match pieces of fabric, then put them to good use on the coffee table.

Get the tutorial at More Like Grace.

SHOP FABRIC

Sheri Silver

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Mason Jar Pour Spout

We've all been there—you go to pour out a teaspoon of flour or baking soda, and all of a sudden half the can comes out onto your countertop. This kitchen Mason jar craft means you'll always drain just the right amount of whatever cooking supplement you need.

Get the tutorial at Sheri Silver.

Mason Jar Crafts

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Stained Glass Jars

Easy to make and pretty to look at, you can't go wrong with these Piet Mondrian-inspired jars.

Get the tutorial at Mason Jar Crafts.

SHOP LIQUID LEADING

Stamptramp

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Chalk Paint Planters

Standard Mason jar planters have met their match, thanks to these decorative book page birds and white chalk paint base.

Get the tutorial at Stamptramp.

SHOP CHALK PAINT FINISH

Michelle James Designs

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Welcome Sign

Matching vases against a wooden base give this entryway wall hanging a fresh appeal for a pretty Mason jar craft idea.

Get the tutorial at Michelle James Designs.

SHOP S HOOKS

Mom Spark

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Magnetic Mason Jar Storage

Never waste precious storage space by attaching your mason jar organizer underneath your shelves. The method to the madness? A few magnets.

Get the tutorial at Mom Spark.

SHOP MAGNETS

Bless'er House

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Vanity Light

Brighten up your bathroom with this farmhouse-inspired light.

Get the tutorial at Bless'er House.

SHOP MASON JARS

A Pumpkin and a Princess

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Pencil Holder

This blogger writes that her her glittered DIY makes for a great teacher's gift.

Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.

SHOP GLITTER

Eighteen 25

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Air Freshener

This shabby chic craft may look like a vase, but it's actually full of air freshener beads underneath the artificial flowers. Your home will be sweet smelling in no time with this genius idea!

Get the tutorial at Eighteen 25.

SHOP AIR FRESHENER BEADS

Home Stories A to Z

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Picture Frame Vase

Display your favorite family photo in this brightly colored frame that doubles as a vase to hold seasonal blooms.

Get the tutorial at Home Stories A to Z.

SHOP MASON JARS

KA Styles

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Gold Glittered Jar

This sparkly item would make for a stunning centerpiece.

Get the tutorial at KA Styles.

SHOP GLITTER

Mason Jar Crafts Love

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Bathroom Accessories

Match these organizers to the color of your bathroom decor.

Get the tutorial at Mason Jar Crafts Love.

SHOP MASON JARS

It All Started With Paint

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Desk Organizers

Your home office will be both stylish and organized with these easy-to-make containers.

Get the tutorial at It All Started With Paint.

SHOP WRAPPING PAPER

Crafts Unleashed

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Utensil Caddy

Picnics and porch dinners will be so much easier with this flatware holder.

Get the tutorial at Crafts Unleashed.

SHOP CADDIES

Pillar Box Blue

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Travel Bank

Count down and save up for your next vacation with these DIY banks.

Get the tutorial at Pillar Box Blue.

SHOP MAP PAPER

I Should Be Mopping the Floor

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Bird Feeder

Attract your favorite flocks with this Mason jar lid craft.

Get the tutorial at I Should Be Mopping the Floor.

SHOP MASON JAR LIDS

Wendell T. Webber

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Canning

We'd be remiss not to start off by mentioning possibly the best and most popular way to use Mason jars—canning! Haven't tried it before? Check out our beginner's guide to preserving your own foods.

Smart School House

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Create Snack Packs

Make brown bagged lunches a little more fun by attaching an old fruit cup container to a Mason jar and packing it with sandwich staples.

Get the tutorial at Smart School Lunches.

SHOP MASON JARS

Landeelu

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DIY Tissue Dispenser

You can easily transform the country staple into the cutest tissue container you've ever seen.

Get the tutorial at Landeelu.

SHOP SCRAPBOOK PAPER

The Frugal Girls

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DIY Carpet Freshener

Did you know a Parmesan container top fits perfectly on a Mason jar? Attach one and you've instantly got the perfect shaker for powders like homemade carpet freshener.

Get the tutorial at The Frugal Girls.

SHOP ESSENTIAL OILS

Courtesy of It All Started With Paint

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Sewing Kit

Keep your sewing supplies at the ready inside a Mason jar equipped with a DIY pincushion lid.

Get the tutorial at It All Started With Paint.

SHOP PAINT

Courtesy of Things I Should Do

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Candy Jars

Take the candy bar at your next party to a new level with this DIY project. All you need are some Mason jars, plastic toy animals, and paint.

Get the tutorial on Things I Should Do.

SHOP ANIMAL FIGURINES

Courtesy of A Casarella

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Twine Dispenser

Mason jars can help keep your craft room tidy by storing everything from washi tape to buttons, but we really love this DIY project that makes it super easy to organize and dispense twine.

Get the tutorial at A Casarella.

SHOP TWINE

Courtesy of Something Turquoise

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Poured Candle

Making your own candles is easier than you think—and a Mason jar makes the perfect vessel. Bonus: Add a custom "thank you" lid, and you've got a great gift on your hands.

Get the tutorial at Something Turquoise.

SHOP SOY WAX

Courtesy of Skinny Meg

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Bathroom Organizer

Mason jars attached to a wooden pallet make a farmhouse-chic bathroom storage option that keeps items like Q-tips and cotton balls off the counter.

Get the tutorial from Skinny Meg.

SHOP WOOD PALLETS

Courtesy of The 36th Avenue

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Salt and Pepper Shakers

These salt and pepper shakers could possibly be the easiest DIY project to pull off ever.

Get the tutorial at The 36th Avenue.

SHOP BRADS

Kate Mathis

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Soap Dispenser

Repurpose the classic Mason jar as a soap or lotion dispenser in your bathroom.

Step 1: First, measure and mark the center of the jar's lid.

Step 2: Using a 1/2" high-speed steel drill bit, drill a hole to fit the width of a soap dispenser pump. (Hint: Use the pumps from old lotion bottles.)

Step 3: Fill the jar with liquid soap, screw the lid back on, and insert the pump. You may need to trim the bottom of the pump to fit your jar.

SHOP DRILL BITS

Courtesy of Simply Bold

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String Lights

Is there anything better than a long evening spent on a back porch with twinkling Mason jar lights? We think not. With this craft from blogger Kristina Booher, galvanized cable and tea light candles lend their talents to a rustic, easy-to-make backyard accessory.

Get the tutorial at Simply Bold.

Courtesy of August and After

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Photo Frame

Switch up the way you display family photos with this Mason jar craft that uses, yes, vegetable oil.

Get the tutorial on August and After.

Original glass jar decorating ideas

DIY home decorations are gaining popularity. They add a special charm and comfort to the room. Using various techniques, skillful needlewomen decorate bottles, flower pots, make beautiful book and kitchen shelves, walls and even ceilings. We suggest starting small and decorating a glass jar with your own hands.

Handmade decorations are not only outwardly unusual, but also contain a piece of soul that gives a special atmosphere to the home interior

Content

Some important aspects of decoration

Before you start decorating, you need to take into account several important points that affect the further course of action:

  1. Can size. The amount of consumable material and the choice of design depend on this parameter. After all, a certain design may be suitable for a small jar, but look bad on a large one.
  2. Purpose. From this moment depends on the choice of method and material for decoration. After all, the purpose of the decorated jar depends on the conditions under which it will be located and how it will be used.
  3. Room style. This aspect must be taken into account, because we make decor for a certain room, which has its own style and color scheme. Make sure that your creation harmoniously fits into the overall picture of the room.

Small vases for fresh flowers

Now you can safely take a glass jar, purchase the necessary materials for decorating and start finishing. But first we need to decide what materials we need based on the chosen technique.

See alsoDecorative drawings for exclusive wall decor with your own hands

Choosing a technique

There are many ways to decorate a glass jar with your own hands. Remember all your skills, and we will help you choose the right technique:

Material Technology
Paper Quilling, appliqué, collage
Paint Watercolor painting, spray graffiti
Natural materials Oshibana, vine weaving
Threads Yarnbombing, patchwork, felting

Painting jars with paints allows you to create original decorative objects

See also How to use papier-mache in the interior

Use paint

This material offers a lot of possibilities. It can be used even if you do not have special artistic skills.

Artistically painted coffee tins

First, let's take a brush and waterproof paint.

Any brush will do, as long as the bristles hold tight

It is better to use stained glass paints on a water or synthetic base

Important! For drawing on a glass jar, it is better to use special paint.

Fine brush suitable for fine details

Using paint, you can create the simplest motifs: patterns, flower ruffles, geometric shapes - in general, everything that comes to mind. If your skills allow, come up with a more complex plot and connect it to the design theme.

Easy to color with dispenser tube

It is worth noting that you can draw not only with special paints. If the jar is not in the bathroom or other room with high humidity, feel free to take on gouache or watercolor. The latter, of course, will not be so bright, and is the least suitable for painting on glass.

If you can't handle free ideas, try stencils. Choose a sketch you like online or cut it out of a magazine, then wet it and lean it against the jar (this way you will secure it to the surface). Now sketch the part that was left open and the drawing is ready. So you can create a variety of topics, from simple to complex. When dry, the paper will peel off the can, then throw it away and enjoy your work.

Using a stencil, you can apply a pattern of any complexity, if the leaf with the ornament is fixed inside the jar

This is how you can make an unsightly jar fun and unusual

A suitable option is spray paint. It can be used both for full coloring in one color, and for creating drawings, but in the second case, stencils must be used.

See alsoHacks for home and interior

Help paper

The easiest technique is application. It can be used for joint creativity with children, or for independent creation of a masterpiece. For this you need colored paper. Suitable for both single sided and double sided.

Stock up on material, choose an idea to implement, and get started. The most common options are flowers. The floral theme has a large set of motifs and is easily translated into reality using various techniques.

Flower vases with fish designs

With the help of the application you will be able to make a three-dimensional picture or a flat one. However, the first one looks more interesting and attractive.

An interesting idea - weaving with tubes from newspapers

Quilling

Here you have to work a little, and learn at least the basics of technology. Its essence consists in twisting strips of paper with a special stick, which can be replaced with a round pen or pencil. Further, by creating the necessary kinks, the resulting element is given the desired shape. These elements form the whole picture. This technique is interesting in the final form, as well as in the process. It can be considered as meditative, and immerse yourself in complete relaxation with its help.

Quilling Paper Butterfly Example

Collage

This technique allows you to create original and unforgettable stories. It is best to use your own photos, they allow you to make a memorable and symbolic design. Along with the photos, stick colored clippings, various stickers, or diversify the plot in another way.

Pictures from old magazines can be used for collage

See alsoOriginal bottle decorating ideas with tights

We use natural materials

Designs made from natural materials are well suited for eco-styles. Here you can use any herbarium that you have collected. To make a design with dried leaves or flowers, use tape. With it, you can attach natural materials to the bank. Just follow a few conditions:

Unusual autumn decor

A great design will come from a vine. Suitable green or brown, depending on the chosen style. You can simply wrap the vine around the jar, creating a kind of cover. It is possible to combine this method with others and create interesting designs.

In addition to the aesthetic value, the vine protects the jars from mechanical impact

See also Imitation of brickwork in the interior: do it yourself

Fabric motifs

Fabric materials are also suitable for decorating a glass jar. The most common is felt, wool and twine.

A jar, a piece of cloth, string and ribbon - everything you need to create an original decoration

Burlap is often used for decoration

Felt is suitable for creating flat figurines to decorate a jar. They are easily attached to the glass with glue or double-sided tape. Come up with different plots, cut out heroes from felt, and create interesting designs. This method is great for working with children.

Winter decoration of jars with colorful felt pieces

From wool you can knit various shapes or (if skills do not allow) small geometric shapes. Wool can be used in place of corrugated paper in the trimming technique.

Another good way to use wool is the yarnbombing technique. It consists in tying various things with knitted bright covers. To do this, you can use an old sock or other piece of clothing. And also you can knit an unusual case from wool.

A jar tied with woolen thread can be used as a pencil holder

See alsoHelpful tips for those who want to decorate the house with their own hands

Twine or thread

Twine is suitable for creating various patterns on the surface of a jar, a kind of cover or frame. This material is similar to a vine, and is used for the same purposes.

First wrap the jar tightly with twine, rope or thick thread

Then apply acrylic paint to the entire surface of the can

Waiting for the paint to dry completely

Can string can be left or removed as you like

We see that you can decorate a glass jar with your own hands in various ways, and this is not at all difficult. The main thing is to let your imagination run wild!

Unusual idea of ​​using a jar as a photo frame

See alsoWe create beautiful things with our own hands for the home and interior

Video: a master class on decorating cans using decoupage technique

See also How to decorate a shoebox with your own hands?

Glass jar decoration photo ideas

ideas for containers from different materials (+46 photos)

Content

  1. Preparation before work
  2. Making tan cans
  3. Decoration of glass cans
  4. Storage for spices
  5. Trendy decorating ideas
  6. Other ideas (1 video)
  7. Different jar decorations (36 photos)

Jar decoration can be done according to many techniques. Several techniques can be applied to one jar at the same time, combining them into a harmonious ensemble. To make the product neat and beautiful, you need to make a lot of effort, spend a lot of time on work. You can use any decorative materials and ways of attaching them, but before that, you should consider the design of the jar and its further functionality.

Preparation before work

Before proceeding directly to decorating jars with your own hands, you should consider all the nuances that relate to this procedure. Preparation consists of several main stages:

The choice of all materials and the jars themselves depends on where and how the finished decorative product will be used. It is also important to consider the design of the containers. It can first be embodied on paper, and only then transferred directly to the surface.

Tin can decoration

Tin can decoration is considered to be the simplest. Such a thing can be used to decorate the kitchen, hallway or corridor. Since tin cans are strong enough and practically not subject to mechanical damage, they are often used as flowerpots on the street.

The decoration of the jar begins with its preparation:

1. Use pliers and a file to remove sharp edges where the lid has been cut.

2. Poke a few holes in the bottom with a nail or drill to allow excess water to drain out when watering.

3. Use sandpaper to remove factory paint from the surface.

4. Buy plastic or clay saucers according to the diameter of the container, if the jars will stand. With vertical placement, such an element is not needed.

Cans made of this material are generally painted with exterior paint, although regular paint can also be used. Staining can be solid monophonic or using stencils. The container can be decorated with additional elements: beads, ribbons and glass, twigs, bark and wire.

To be able to hang the jar, you can make a handbag from threads in the macrame style or use ordinary wire to make a handle like on a bucket.

Such products are used as organizers for pencils and pens, towels in the bathroom, small screws and nails in the shed. Decorated tin cans are often used as candlesticks. To do this, holes are punched in the container body in the form of a pattern.

Video: tin can decorating master class.

Glass jar decoration

Glass jar decoration is more varied, moreover, this product has a wider range of uses compared to its tin counterpart. Since the shapes, sizes and colors of glass jars can be varied, the methods of use are correspondingly different.

Storage for spices

Small jars such as baby food can be reused for spices. Do-it-yourself jars for the kitchen are best designed in a minimalist style so that the decor elements do not fall off and fall into food.

First, the manufacturer's label is removed from the glass along with the tacky adhesive. Your own decorative sticker is made of paper or it can be drawn directly on the jar with paints. After that, you should decorate the lid. Most often, decoupage technique is used for this. But you can also paint the surface or paste over with gift paper.

In the video: decoupage of glass jars.

For cosmetics and bath accessories

Larger jars are used to make containers for bathrooms and decorative cosmetics. Often the decor of the cans in this case is minimal and it concerns the lid to a greater extent. It is decorated with beads that serve as handles. For a more romantic style, the container itself can also be decorated.

The most common decorative elements are ribbons, beads or beads, and it is also possible to combine them. Often, the entire jar is simply showered with glitter and opened with colorless varnish.

An interesting option is the decoration of a glass jar using the dot painting technique. It turns out a very effective result.

In the video: bathroom decor.

Jar as a candlestick

Candlesticks or vases are often made from such fragile jars. Making such a product is very simple. Since both in the first and in the second case, the product is used in extreme conditions, the only correct solution would be artistic coloring.

All kinds of patterns and designs are created with acrylic paints, in extreme cases it can even be nail polish.

These are the main applications for decorative glass jars, but can easily be increased. The main thing is to think about the conditions under which the product will be used in order to select the appropriate decoration technique.

In the video: decorative candle holders from jars.

Trendy decoration ideas

In addition to the standard do-it-yourself decoration of jars, not quite etching ways of decorating them are often used. Recently, natural and natural materials are gaining more and more popularity, which, at least in a minimal amount, simply must be present in the interior of the room.

One such material is textiles, in particular burlap. With its help, you can create stunning compositions on any surface, and cans of any material are no exception.


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