Welcome 2021 with year-end savings - see the deals here

Remodelaholic

DIY tutorials, Woodworking plans and more.

FREE BONUS: Kitchen Organization Boot Camp
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About US
    • Contributors
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • Disclosure and Advertising
    • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Project Ideas
    • Our Houses
      • Birch House (current projects)
      • Canyon House
      • Park House
      • Downing House
      • Logan House
    • DIY Project Plans
    • All projects
    • Barn Door Baby Gate
    • Dutch Door
    • Framing A Wall Mounted TV
    • Indoor Playhouse
    • Beach Themed Living Room Design
    • Chicken Coop Building!
    • Computer Desk
    • Computer Desk Plans
    • Custom Newel Posts and Stair Remodel
    • Family Room Sneak Peek
    • Headboard Tutorial
    • Living Room Progress
    • Mood Boards
    • Scrabbled Family Names
    • Pets
  • Design By Room
    • Bathrooms
    • Landscape
    • Kids Bedrooms
    • Kitchen
    • Living Rooms
    • Laundry Rooms
    • Master Bedrooms
    • Mood Boards
    • Office
  • Holiday
    • Christmas
    • Halloween
    • Patriotic
    • Easter
    • Fall
    • Saint Patrick’s Day
    • Thanksgiving
    • Spring
    • Valentines Day
    • Winter
  • Crafts
    • Printable
    • Art
    • Paper Crafts
    • Kids
    • Fabric Crafts
    • Decorate
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Chicken
    • Desserts
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Healthy
    • Holiday
    • Lunch
    • Main Dishes
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Sauces
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup
    • Vegetables
  • Videos

Make Your Own Blue Glass Jars Tutorial

Written by Cassity

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Submitted By A Happy Place Called Home

No, I’m not having crazy preggo cravings (cuz I’m not preggo)…and no, I haven’t lost my mind either!  I just happened to make some candles out of some saved up jars that used to be in the fridge…holding food.

Honestly, most of these jars would typically wind up in the recycling…but I finally got smart.  You see, there have been times when I’ve said to myself, “self, that’s a cute project that involves a glass jar!” But then I realize that I don’t have any glass jars.
On one occassion (cough, cough, hint, bridal shower) I even bought some mason jars because I didn’t have any on hand.  Boy was that silly!  After seeing the stash I’d collected in just a few weeks, I’m hoping that I’ve learned to go green and put those containers to new use, through one craft or another.
This project was something that I’ve been dye-ing to try!  LOL!  I crack myself up!
I’d heard it was possible to dye glass different colors using glue and food coloring, but I wanted to give it a test run.
Honestly, the most difficult part of this project was getting the stinkin’ labels off of the jars.  I couldn’t find my trusty Goo Gone, but I found soaking the jars in warm water to be helpful.
Once they were soaked, I peeled off what I could, and scrubbed with soap and water to remove the rest of the sticky gunk from the jars.
Then I went all out and spent a whopping $.50 on some school glue.
To get some color, I used a few drops of blue food coloring and a hint of green food coloring.  This created an aqua color, and in case you haven’t noticed, I happen to be in love with aqua!
After one coat, the glass had a nice soft tint, but I wanted to go for something with a bit more pop.
The second coat was just what I was looking for.  I loved the color and the level of transparency!  These photos were taken when the glue was still wet…
…and these were taken once the glue had dried….
One word…L.O.V.E!
This blue glass project was so easy, so cheap, and the results are so fun!  I can think of so many fun things to do with this, but for this photo shoot, I just threw some candles in.
I tried to get some shots from different times of the day so that you could see the color in different lighting.  I loved how the color appeared soft in strong light, but more vibrant in darker light.  They looked pretty natural to me, but what do you think?
Granted, there were a few spots where I didn’t catch the air-bubbles or the drips, but I never sweat the small stuff when I try a project out for the first time.
I learned that I need to wait a bit longer in between coats so that the glue can dry completely first, but you might remember from this project that waiting patiently has never been one of my strong suits.
Grand total on this project…$.50, and a few hours.  A great project for some weekend craftiness on a tight budget!
So here’s what I learned:
  1. Keep food jars! It’s green and fun! This is just one of many crafts you can do with them.
  2. Patience is a virtue.  Wait longer in between coats.
  3. Don’t sweat the small stuff.  Projects don’t have to be perfect all of the time.  In fact, in many cases, imperfection creates an aged or weathered look.
  4. It is possible to craft for less than $1.00.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money.  Use what you have around the house.
  5. This idea could be used to make cute gifts.  Fill the jars with bath salts, or even snacks.  The glue is on the outside of the jar, so it won’t contaminate any food items!
So tell me, what would you do with these jars?  What color would you paint them?  I think I might try some red and orange ones next considering fall is just around the corner.  I’m so glad I tried this!
This project was contributed by one of our fabulous readers! We love to share your projects with this great blogging community. So, if you have projects from kitchen renovation ideas to small bathroom remodels, overhauled and repurposed furniture, spray paint updates you name it please send it in! Thanks for reading Remodelaholic!

 

Other fun DIY projects HERE:
DIY Stenciled Faux Wallpaper
DIY Mirrored Closet Door Makeover
Fun Striped Art Tutorial
DIY Trellis Mirror
Complete DIY Master Bathroom Remodel
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Remodelaholic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please see our full disclosure here.

Published: October 25, 2011Filed Under: Crafts, Decorate, Guest Bloggers, Holiday, How To, Tutorials Tagged: blue jars, Candles, glass jars, Guest Bloggers, painted blue jars tutorial, painted jar, Tutorials

About Cassity

Cassity started Remodelaholic with her husband, Justin, to share their love for knocking out walls together. She is an interior designer, wife, and mother of two. She and Justin have remodeled three homes from top to bottom and are working on their fourth. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.


free email bonus

Kitchen Organization Boot Camp

Is your kitchen a zen paradise? It can be. I'll show you how.

Previous Post
Want Some Remodeling Cash?
Next Post
Halloween Cupcake Ideas! Recipe Link Up

Comments

  1. Shari @ turnstyelvogue.com says

    October 25, 2011 at 5:06 pm

    I love this… a lot! I’m your newest follower. Would love to have you stop by.

    Shari

    Reply
  2. Cheapchick says

    October 25, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    These are completely awesome and a craft that any noncrafter like me could easily achieve good results!

    Reply
  3. Kristen @ My Covered Bridge says

    October 25, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    They look beautiful! How creative!

    Reply
  4. Gayle Grier says

    October 25, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    Questions on this process…did you put the glue on the inside or outside? Did you wash the glue off/out? Did you avoid rubbing where the glue was? Thanks!
    Gayle
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      October 26, 2011 at 12:32 am

      Hey Gayle,

      The glue is on the outside of the jar, and I didn’t have to wipe any of the glue off. I just used a 1″ wide paint brush to coat the glue evenly across the outside, and I definitely avoided rubbing the glue while it was wet. Another thing that I found in this project was that it looked better if I went around the jar with the brush, rather than up and down it. In other words, horizontal, not vertical strokes. Hope that helps!

      xo, Kelli

      Reply
  5. pictureperfectpixies says

    October 25, 2011 at 7:48 pm

    I am so glad you said you painted the outside of the jars during the “what you learned” section. I may have messed that up when I copy you! 😉

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      October 26, 2011 at 12:34 am

      LOL! I don’t consider it copying! I believe ideas are meant to be shared! Good luck when you give it a go!

      xo, Kelli @ A Happy Place Called Home

      Reply
  6. Karen E. says

    October 25, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    I am so gonna try this in my new home!!!

    Reply
  7. Nicole says

    October 25, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    WOW! They look amazing. And to think I almost bought antique blue Mason jars in the past 2 weeks. I am going to try this, for sure! Great idea.

    Reply
  8. Kim H. says

    October 26, 2011 at 8:49 am

    I saw someone posted on how to do this with mod podge the other day.. they did it on the inside of the glass and let it just swirl around in there.. once it was baked, you couldn’t see the brush strokes… just a thought. Yours are beautiful though 🙂

    Reply
  9. Digger says

    October 26, 2011 at 9:11 am

    This is AWESOME!!! I’m going to start collecting jars so I can do this. I love it!! Your blog is great! I’m a new follower!

    Digger ~xoxo~
    https://digdeeperdesign.blogspot.com

    Reply
  10. Rachel W. says

    October 26, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    These are lovely. Have you seen the colored Ball mason jars in a particular Etsy shop of two women? The colors are beautiful…and so vibrant – I’d LOVE to figure out how they got them that way.

    Reply
  11. Michele says

    October 26, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    Wow!! I LOVE these! I am going to make some for Christmas gifts at work and fill them with Friendship Tea mix!! Just need to print a nice label for them with the tea directions, top it off with a pretty ribbon, and away I go!!

    Reply
  12. Beverly Roberson says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:12 am

    I adore this!! I too have been looking mason jars, I never thought of looking right in my pantry! Very well done!

    Reply
  13. Ingrid says

    October 27, 2011 at 8:15 am

    I was like WOW!!!!!!!!!at the final results – Amazing!!!!!!!! I am in a good mood now!!!!
    I love candles and their spiritual touch!

    Reply
  14. Amber says

    November 6, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    I was reading this and i colect alot of old jars. most are not tinted and i bought more for the unique shapes. i was thinking i am always looking to dress up my table. y not either build a tray or buy a old beat up one from a thrift store. tint my glasses blue and y not splash just a little bit of purple in there (my favorite color). i would then arrange the jars randomly in the try and fill the outside of the trays with stuff to represent the sessons. spring: flowers or maybe a colorful scarf draped between the jars, summer seashelld. I lives near the beaches of North Carolina and know I am in the beautiful Pennsylvanian pocono moutians (still so much beauty but not the same beauty as the beaches i miss daily) fall acorns amd pinecones. Winter fake snow and peppermint candys. also fall maybe fill a jar or two with candy corn. both holidays a little snak on the table for the hoilday dinner guest. hope you enjoy my ideas cant wait to start putting it together. Thanks for the idea.

    Reply
  15. melissa says

    November 15, 2011 at 9:48 am

    Hmm… I need some ideas for lids to go with these.

    Reply
  16. Cheryl says

    November 15, 2011 at 11:35 am

    Love these jars, so pretty, and I’m crazy about aqua too! Here’s an easy way to get the sticky stuff and labels off your jars…soak them for a few minutes in a vinegar bath (undiluted), or you can just spray the labels with vinegar and let them sit a few minutes…the glue comes right off, and I sometimes use a single-edge razor blade to speed up the process. (be careful!) …,BTW, you can uses this same vinegar spray to use on old wallpaper to remove it fast and easy!

    Reply
  17. BottleNeck8 says

    November 28, 2011 at 9:30 am

    These are Beautiful! Just one question can you wash them without the color or glue washing off?

    Reply
  18. Sarah says

    January 7, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    These would be great for making luminarias (sp?) for Christmas, or as a DIY decoration for weddings or parties, maybe at Halloween.

    Peanut butter will remove glue, and will “stick” in the place where it is working (it will also take out gum stuck in hair, if you’re patient).

    I have also seen jars filled with tinted water, which may have some advantages (different effect in the light, but you can change the colour, and if you tire of the effect and want your Mason jar back, all you need to do is dump the water and wash it out).

    Reply
  19. Tonya says

    February 18, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    Thanks for this tutorial! I found these beautiful blue glass lamps online but they were out of stock so now I’m going to purchase the clear glass version (which are cheaper!) and paint them blue!!!!

    Reply
  20. sparkles pederson says

    June 28, 2012 at 7:25 pm

    such a cute idea! thanks for clarifying that you paint the outside….I assumed the glue was on the inside!
    please keep crafting and sharing

    Reply
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

We love hearing from fellow Remodelaholics, so let us know what you like about this and leave any questions below in the comments. If you have followed a tutorial or been inspired by something you have seen here, we would love to see pictures! Submit pictures here or by messaging us over on Facebook.
Recipe Rating




Hey there, I am Cassity! Nice to virtually meet you!

This blog is about DIY at its finest. We are obsessed with it and so are you, so while we're working and have nothing to show you of our own projects we show off yours. So submit your projects! More About Us…

Categories

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Meet The Team

Privacy Policy

Remodelaholic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please see our full disclosure here.

© 2005-2016 Remodelaholic LLC, All Rights Reserved

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 · Remodelaholic

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter