We’ve booked the venue, photographer, videographer and all the other big details. Now that we have some downtime before the big day, it’s time to get started on the DIY projects! Early on I fell in love with the classic look of blue mason jar centerpieces. Perfect for our outdoor wedding. But they’re extremely rare and tend to go for about $8 or $10 per jar. A cheap bride’s best friend, also known as Google, helped me find an easy way to get the same look for a lot less. Stain the damn things blue with glass paint! If you are a broke bride or are just feeling crafty, here’s how I did it.
What you’ll need:
Close up of the paints and thinner
Depending on how many jars you want to stain, you won’t need to use a lot of paint. In order to get the transparent look, you need to use more thinner than paint. Since I stained twelve jars, I used a spoonful of paint and three spoonfuls of thinner. I mixed them together in a Tupperware bowl. If you’re only staining a couple, I would recommend a pinkie size of paint and three times as much thinner. So basically a ratio of 25% paint, 75% thinner.
I placed my jar in a separate Tupperware bowl because I don’t like making messes. I also found I could use the excess paint, a plus! I lightly dipped my fan brush into the paint and went over the jars in long strokes from top to bottom. Almost immediately I noticed some streaking, but I don’t think that’s avoidable. I tried using a rag and got the same results. Just try to brush evenly. Don’t fret if you still have lots of streaks! I’ll tell you how to fix that later.
My first one was kind of bad. I got better though.
Since red is my all time favorite color and one of our wedding colors, I tried the red paint on a couple of the jars. I didn’t like the way they came out though. I don’t know if they needed more paint, or what I just didn’t like them as much as the blue. Oh well, trial and error.
Meh
The finished pack. I’m trying to hide the red ones in the back there.
The next step was easy. I let the jars dry for a full 24 hours and in the meantime proceeded to read Christopher Pike’s latest vampire book. Vampires are never going away, people. The next day I placed the jars on a cookie sheet and let them bake in the oven for 40 minutes at 325 degrees. The heat helps set the paint and gets rid of the streaks. If after everything you still notice streaks, I wouldn’t worry too much. Once you put flowers and water in the jars, no one will even notice.
Baking jars
I was pretty pleased with how they turned out. Like I said before, the streaks that I did notice were pretty minuscule at this point. After the cooled off, I filled one up with water and arranged a grocery store bouquet. I kind of wish I had thought to buy the actual flowers we’re using for the wedding, but I was happy with the way these turned out. This was by far the easiest wedding project I’ve ever tackled!
Voila! “Vintage” blue mason jars!
*All photos are personal
That’s pretty creative, I like the idea, plus an inexpensive way to get decorations completed.
Yay! I’ve seen this and was so curious if it really worked…and it did! They look awesome, you did a great job!
This is a really helpful post! Thanks, Warbler! I love the color that your mason jars turned out.
These look great, I never knew of such a technique.
I did this for my wedding, although I used a different shade of blue. Way cheaper than buying the blue mason jars and it was not hard to do. I spread wax paper on the counter and let the jars dry on wax paper instead of using tupperware. Mine jars had streaks too, but it was less noticeable when the water was added. 
those streaks had me worried, but they turned out great!!!
Wow, what a clever and crafty alternative! I was fortunate to find enough blue jars in our area at no more than $2 each, but I’d be all over this if they were $8-10 each.
They turned out great! Thanks for the directions, I plan on trying this for my wedding as well
Your awesome for posting this! I had no idea they were this easy! I plan to try thanks to you!
Those are awesome Miss Warbler! I might try this just to have some at home for decorations…
i am thinking of doing this for my western wedding with white daisys in them love it cant wait to try it thanks
this is so creative, I really want to have blue mason jars for center pieces for my wedding but was unsure where to get them! Thanks for sharing, I will definitely mention this to my mom, maybe I can get started with them over my break.
Once you bake them, are these dishwasher safe then? Will the paint ever come off. Ad did yours come out streak free? I’m pretty anal about stuff like that so if it doens’t come out perfect I might not be happy. lol.
Mrs. Warbler, Long Beach/Malibu Age and Occupation: 24, Quality Assurance Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Handheld Administrator Engagement Date: December 7, 2010 Wedding Date: April 2012 Venue: Calamigos Ranch Malibu About Me: I’m a Korean BBQ loving, cheesecake enthusiast bride living in the LBC! By day I write and edit for an online search engine marketing company. By night I am a volunteer food taster of all that is delicious. I am fortunate to be marrying an amazing man who loves me and my quirky ways. I love food, books, indie music, and Harry Potter. We are planning a small, intimate wedding up in the Malibu Hills with our closest family and friends. With the help of my wonderful fiance, our loved ones, and red velvet cheesecake, our wedding will be glorious!
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