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Make easy DIY painted Mason jars to use as vases as an easy teacher gift or for any occasion.
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I decided Monday that I wanted to go a little fancier with the Girl Scout Daisies end-of-the-year party/bridging ceremony than I had planned, so I spent the week whipping up a few little crafts, including these DIY painted Mason jars, which I filled with daisies (of course!) and gifted to the girls.
They’re really easy to make but they do take a couple of days because the paint needs to dry overnight before you put on the second coat, and ideally again before you use them.
What You’ll Need
- Mason jars — I used 12 ounce quilted jelly jars because I happened to have a case on hand, but regular jars or clear jars are fine, too, of course
- Acrylic paint in colors of your choice — I did eight jars and used red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, pink and purple, all Americana paints
- foam paint brush or brush of your choice
- paint pen (optional)
How to Make DIY Painted Mason Jars
First, make sure your jars are really clean. If you’re not taking them straight out of the box to paint, wash them or rub them down with alcohol to make sure the surface is super-clean.
Use your foam brush to paint all over the sides. I didn’t paint the bottom but you could if you want to. Try to use straight up and down strokes.
Allow to dry overnight. Apply a second coat if desired. Allow to dry again.
If you want, you can write something on the jar with a paint pen. Because mine were for my Daisies, I wrote “Daisies 2017” on them.
Fill with flowers. Use them or gift them or both!
I loved the way they looked all lined up on stage for our ceremony, and the girls liked getting a special gift to remember the year.
Other Ways to Use Painted Mason Jars
Of course these jars don’t have to be vases. Use them to store pencils, paintbrushes or other supplies.
Make a Mason jar gift with a painted Mason jar as the base (such as a sewing kit).
If you don’t paint them too thickly, you can use them as candle holders with a tea light or LED candle inside.
Paint them with chalk paint and add a monogram or a doodle to the side in chalk.
Add a soap dispenser pump and use with your favorite liquid soap.
Have you ever painted Mason jars? I’d love to hear what you used them for.