DIY Antique Blue Mason Jars

July 16, 2012 · by · 27 Comments

It’s no big news that I am somewhat hooked on re-using and upcycling old glass jars, food jars, mason jars, rootbeer bottles, etc.

You may noticed in the little post about simple flower arrangements.

My absolute fave mason jars are the older, blue-tinted ones.

(click for source)

Today I’m going to share with you how I took some of our glass jars (you know, the ones all over the house) and took them back in time with a tinted glass technique.

Oh, and right off the bat, I want to mention that I saw the idea first from Aimee at It’s Overflowing!, one of my top ten favorite DIY/decorating blogs. You should definitely hop over there to take a peak at her tinted bottles tutorial.

But since I changed it up a bit, I’m going to share my how-to on tinting clear glass to give it that antique blue mason jar effect.

For supplies, you’ll need:

>>  Mason jar/vase/glass bottle of your choice <<

>> Food coloring <<

>> Elmer’s glue (or mod podge) <<

>> water <<

 

Use a medium sized mixing bowl or glass measuring cup and add around 1/4 cup of hot water.

Little Man is so eager to help, he’s stirring the water with… itself ;)

You can microwave for 15-30 seconds to make sure the water is hot enough to dissolve the food coloring.

Next, start adding your food coloring.

Like, a whole lot.

I used gel food coloring… Aimee at It’s Overflowing! says it works best

(don’t I have the cutest helper? :))

Stir stir stir it up to completely dissolve color.

Getting the glue/water ratio can be tricky.

If you’re using Elmer’s, you’re basically going to make your own DIY mod podge with a 50/50 ratio of glue to water.

So, for this little project, we used a whole standard size bottle of glue, with equal parts water added (in addition to the water already in your bowl.) Does that make sense? Clear as mud?

Let the jars set upside down so the excess can drain completely.

A WORD ON THE STREAKS: So in this picture, you can see lots of streaks on my jars.

I didn’t use enough glue the first go around, and ended up re-coating, and re-baking a second time around for a better look.

You can use much more food coloring and make your color more vibrant.

I really wanted them to look more subtle and like the “real” vintage aqua blue mason jars, like these guys:

(source)

Not EXACT, but close, eh?

I’m loving the subtle change!

- – - -

Linking up with the All Stars & some of my favorite link parties.

&

Stop back in Tuesday for mercyINK’s own link party!

Have you tried the DIY Mason Jars?

I would love to hear how you did. Leave a comment with your strategy and tips for others.

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Lauren

Lauren

Lauren is a young(ish) mom of three, Jesus follower, wife of a youth pastor, coffee lover, proponent for all things fair trade + handmade, and a passionate advocate for the least of these. She loves to create pretty things & designs Scripture prints for the mercy(iNK) print shop. > > > connect with Lauren on twitter or facebook. You can also subscribe to posts via email/reader. Don't be a stranger. Stop by again soon.
Lauren

@mercyink

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Comments

  1. Nif @ Call Me Nif says:
    July 16, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    Your jars look great! And I’m diggin’ the blue table they are sitting on! Maybe these will be my next project. (After I finish my bathroom makeover!) :)

    Reply
  2. Libby says:
    July 16, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    What a great makeover project! I love the final look of the jars. Hummm, may have to try this out. Between my mom and I, we have plenty of those bud vases that could use a makeover. :-)

    Reply
  3. Gail says:
    July 17, 2012 at 12:12 am

    Very cool. I love Mason jars and I like the painted look.

    Reply
  4. Mrs. Baker says:
    July 17, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    i love it! thanks for sharing!

    http://babybakerlove.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  5. Carrie says:
    July 17, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    Thanks for sharing this great, and easy, tutorial. I’m glad I’m not the only one that has a collection of jars. My husband asks why we’re saving the salsa, jelly, etc. jars. He has no idea what fabulous things can be done with them.
    Blessings,
    Carrie

    Reply
    • Lauren says:
      July 19, 2012 at 5:04 pm

      That is too funny, Carrie— I about have a cabinet full of pasta sauce jars, jelly jars, baby food, salsa, and on and on! Those hubbies… they just don’t understand ;)

      Reply
  6. Holly says:
    July 17, 2012 at 11:22 pm

    I love how these turned out. Great Job. I also am a big fan of old jars and I have them all over. Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party.

    Reply
  7. Anastasia says:
    July 18, 2012 at 3:54 am

    Hi there! I’m visiting from All Star Block Party. This looks like a fun project. I’m always looking for things to do with the kiddos! Thanks for sharing. I am now a new follower and would be honored if you would visit and follow me back at http://lifeofblocks.blogspot.com/ Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Cathy@My1929Charmer says:
    July 19, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    The jars looks really great, loving the color. That blue table sure looks special too! Thanks for showing us how!!! So glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best! PS – following you on Facebook, hope you’ll follow back!

    Reply
  9. Jenni Mullinix says:
    July 19, 2012 at 11:51 pm

    So neat! Thanks for linking this up to Thrive @ Home! :)

    Reply
  10. keri @ shaken together says:
    July 20, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    These are so pretty and softly tinted…great job! Thanks for sharing this at the {what’s shakin’ link party} this week … I have some jars that are just waiting for a re-do!

    Reply
  11. Meg @ Nutmeg PLace says:
    July 20, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    Whoa…. really?? I’m SO trying this!

    Thanks for sharing on The All Star Block Party!

    Reply
  12. JaneEllen Jones says:
    July 29, 2012 at 2:46 am

    I’m a new subsriber and love your blog.
    I always am so intrigued by everybody’s technique of dyeing the old ball jars. There are several and almost all have some little different thing to do. I have to find the gel food coloring.
    I got a couple different ball jars at the thrift store this week with ribs on sides, have never seen that kind before so I’m going to attempt dyeing them.
    I have several of the original blue ones that I guard like crazy, have hauled those puppies all over ths country and had only one break, thank goodness it was a clear jar.
    I put all my jars in a cupboard and hubs complains about why we have to have them under there. I’ve used several for storing dry goods but want rest of them close by to guard. Husbands just don’t understand the importance of these incredible antiques. I have a couple of bigger jars also that have a greenish tint to them, I really guard those boys.

    Reply
  13. Deana says:
    August 3, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    Congratulations you are being featured at tonights Link and Greet Party @ CountryMommaCooks…….have a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  14. Lolly Jane says:
    August 16, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Ohmyword these are CUTE!! I love them! Great job.
    ps: I adore miss Aimee as well. We’re good friends in real life (:

    Reply
    • Lauren says:
      August 18, 2012 at 12:17 am

      Oh so fun that you and Aimee are IRL friends! :) Thanks for linking and commenting, ladies! I share your artwork post in my GapShine post today :)
      xo,
      lauren

      Reply
  15. Jessica Bates says:
    December 3, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    Hi there! Would I be able to use these as vases after I do this treatment to them? I was thinking about doing this to some glass for me wedding centerpieces!

    Reply

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