DIY Patriotic Mason Jar Lanterns
I received a box of Plaid Craft goodies and a $25 Walmart gift card to buy something to embellish with my new supplies. Oh boy! Strolling the aisles pondering what I could do with item after item, I couldn’t decide on just one thing. That is why I have done multiple crafts using items purchased from Walmart and my Plaid Craft products, which you will be seeing over several posts. Today’s project happens to be my favorite. You are going to love it! These lanterns are super easy to make. Grab your Mod Podge and glitter and let’s get all Patriotic, mason jar style!
Here is the box of Supplies from Plaid Crafts:
I bought white contact paper for this project at Walmart:
I love this stuff because it is way way way cheaper than buying white vinyl designed for die cut machines, and it is the same thing for my purposes. You get a gigantic roll of it for a few dollars. Never ever buy white vinyl again!
I found the mason jars at Walmart too:
Project Supply List:
Fine glitter in Red, White and Blue
Mod Podge gloss finish
Dixie cup and water
Star shape template
Sharpie
Scissors
Contact paper
Mason jars
16 gauge craft wire
Wire cutters
Flat nose pliers
TUTORIAL:
Pour excess Mod Podge (after jar inside is completely covered) into the next jar (make sure your star “mask” is already in place).
Sprinkle glitter into Mod Podge coated jar, covering the inside completely.
Let jars dry overnight.
Remove contact paper stars with needle tool or tweezers to reveal star shaped clear glass area.
To create the lantern hanging mechanism, I used this tutorial from Make it Do it. You could skip this step if you want your jars to be table top luminaries.
For the light source, I used blue votives I happened to have on hand. You can also use LED candles for a safer, flame free alternative.
I am in love with these little luminaries. I just want to sit on my front porch and stare at them! At under $10 for 12 of these jars, they are the perfect touch to any occasion. Lose the patriotic colors and use a shape other than star to tailor them to your outdoor events.
After using the Mod Podge and glitter technique to sparkle up these jars, I wondered if I could have streamlined the process by using Folk Art Extreme Glitter. I saw this stuff at Walmart, but wasn’t sure how it would do on glass. There is a red, royal blue and silver that would be perfect for this project. I will update this post with the outcome. If you have ever used this product decoratively on glass, I would love to hear from you!
Disclosure: I received product and payment for this post. All opinions expressed in this post are honest and mine.
Be on the look out for more Plaid Craft projects here at SBLC, and check out what other creative bloggers are doing with their box of supplies:
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I love these Johnnie! What an easy, beautiful project!
These are beautiful! I want to pick up some of that contact paper…it could be used for so many projects!
So pretty! Love how they turned out!
LOVE your mason jars! they are really great. (I’ve made some regular jar candle holders, and didn’t like my handle, love the way you did yours)
gail
These are beautiful!!!! :0
these are GORGEOUS… and that’s a lot coming from me because I typically don’t have an affinity for crafts these days! i love them a lot! i got here via “be different act normal’s” feature of you! We throw a big Halloween bash every other fall, so my mind is already churning on how to do this with jackolantern shapes and orange glitter! thanks for the great idea! pinning!
These are so cool! I would love a set of these! <3
What a great idea! They are fun and festive. Megan
This was so clever Johnnie!! You are so creative! And your photography was really pretty!
Great post!
xo Becca
Of course I love these and of course I have to feature!!
Hi there.
I replicated two of these last night and a third with a dragonfly design. Word to the wise. unless you have a big, chunky design, you’re not going to be able to get it out of the modpodge. Alternatively for intricate designs you could use a very thin, thin later and remove the stencil before dry (“chance” it) or use decorative paper, modpodged to the side, but then you can only use flameless candles!
Thanks Carrie! Good advice for intricate designs.
xoxo
Great project! I had to add water also. My first jar was much too thick and wouldn’t dry.
Very cute! I do similar-ish, and i’ve used the Folk Art Extrm glitter, works good on glass although it would take several layers to get type of glitter coverage you got, but i guess you could add to it while still wet & get a two-tone glitter effect:) (*also, check into Krylon spray glitter. Costs a bit more, but Good, quick, easy & semi-controllable glittering!!!*)
@CARRIE B- I paint&mod podge paper the outside my projects(easier to access;), try it that way w/ your more intricate designs & paint on MP, where its more controllable &less thick. After its dry i spray w/ clear spray paint…
What a wonderful idea. Great way to recycle old jars into a really cool candle holders for the patio. Love them! Thanks for sharing your wonderful tutorial.
Pinning and sharing.
I tried making the patriotic jar lanterns, following your directions. I’ve let them dry overnight, but now that I’m trying to peel the contact paper off, it is trying to pull the surrounding glue/glitter off with it. I think it’s dry enough, it is clear and it has actually been more like 28 hours since I finished them yesterday. I really want to make these…I’m using fall colored glitter and I cut leaf shapes instead of leaves. Any help? Thanks
Hi Tracy. Thanks for the question. I suggest peeling the contact paper off after about 1 hour in your case. It sounds like they may be too dry, if that makes any sense. I let mine dry overnight and didn’t have this issue, but differences in humidity may be the culprit. Try removing the contact paper when the mod podge is not completely dry, but is not runny (so it won’t drip down to the area blocked by the contact paper). I hope that helps.
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