Painting pastel glass jars

Painting pastel glass jars

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DIY painted glass jars

This week has been a whirlwind with so many things happening I haven’t had time to blog. Very exciting but also busy. However, here is the DIY project I promised you. Since I got a new working space I’ve been trying to organize it the best I can. I bookmarked these instructions ages ago and now found use for them. I also found use for our leftover paints and glass jars that tend to pile up in cupboards.

Painting glass jars

The project was pretty straight-forward and simple, it took mostly patience. What you need is:

  • paint
  • glass jars
  • lids
  • old newspapers (to cover the working surface)
  • spray paint (optional)

We have a large(ish) collection of jam and jalopeno jars from which it was easy to choose matching jars. The paint should be thick enough so it’ll stick to glass, but not too thick. I used Uula Into in different colors. The yellow Into was too thick, I should have diluted it with water (Uula Into is water-thinnable). The others were fine.

Painting glass jars

And this is what you do. Clean and dry the jar thoroughly. Pour in some paint.

Painting glass jars
Painting glass jars

Swirl and shake. Twist and turn. It helps if you close the lid, that way you don’t get paint all over.

Painting glass jars

Pour the most excess paint back in the paint can.

Painting glass jars

Leave the jar upside down to drip (lid on!) I left mine overnight.

Painting glass jars

Pour out the remaining excess paint.

Painting glass jars

This is what happens when your paint is too thick. It stays like that. You can try to wipe it, but be careful not to remove too much. You don’t want clear glass to show.

Painting glass jars

Wipe the rim clean before the paint dries. If the paint does dry, you may need to scratch it with your finger nails. Leave the jar to dry. This will take quite long. Normally Uula Into dries in 2 hours, but now it took 2-3 days.

DIY painted glass jars

Now you have a pretty place to stuff your pens and pencils (for example). I’m happy because the jars have freed up more space on my drawing table AND they look nice.

DIY painted glass jars

You can also spray paint the lid and use the jar to store little trinkets. I labeled mine with old school Dymo. At least here you can get them from Clas Ohlson. If your paint is not water-soluble (like mine was) you could use the jars also as flower vases.

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153 Comments

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  2. 2
    Juliette
    Reply

    Painting old jars has actually been on my to-do list as well, I’m just going to have to pick up some paint first! =)

    ps- totally want to reach into the screen and add a band of pretty washi tape to one of your jars to see what it looks like, lol!

  5. 5
    Tiia
    Reply

    Mä pohdiskelin tätä ja joku aika sitten, oisko ollut DesignSpongessa juttua. Tai itse asiassa TOSI pitkään mun on pitäny vaan spreijata tyhjien säilyketölkkien kannet, kun musta purkit on kauniita läpinäkyvinäkin :)

  6. 6
    miss b
    Reply

    what a wonderful idea! i recently discovered myself that jars can be recolored, reinvented and reused in many may ways but never thought of this.

    love the shades of your freshly colored jars, so light and adorable! make prettier the time you spent on the drawing table, i’m sure! : )

  12. 12
    Koo
    Reply

    Ihania keväisiä purkkeja!
    Edelliseen työhuonepostaukseesi liittyen, kävin katsastamassa sen Ikean lipaston joka sinullakin oli mielessä, enkä usko että se sopii piirustuslipastoksi. Laatikot eivät ole tarpeeksi syviä jotta sinne mahtuisi A4 leveämpi paperi..

    Täällä on myös noita laatikostoja, mutta huh mitkä hinnat ja ALV0% koska tarkoitettu yritysmyyntiin :(
    http://www.ajtuotteet.fi/fi/Tuotteet/Konttori/Piirustuskaappi/461973.wf

  13. 13
    Jutta
    Reply

    Hei, kiitos ihanista kommenteista!!! :)

    Koo, olikohan se sama lipasto, kun ainakin Ikean sivuilla mainostetaan että sopii A2-papereille? Nuo oikeat piirustuskaapit olisi tietenkin kaikkein parhaita, mutta hirveän hintaisia… Haaveissa on että kohtuuhintainen käytetty osuu vielä kohdalle.

  23. 24
    » painted pencil jars
    Reply

    […] These pastel painted beauties were created by Jutta of kootut murut. With so many uses, these recycled jars could beautify any work or event space. Use as pencil, brush or utensil holder, or by using a non water-soluble paint these would make great vase options for a small garden party or shower. See full DIY tutorial here. […]

  29. 30
    Marte
    Reply

    Hello! I just discoverd your blog and I’m so exited!! I have read one post and I almost can’t wait to read more and to look at all the pictures! :)

    Thank you:)

    Marte from Norway

  41. 42
    Paula Jo @ Home and Garden Decor
    Reply

    This is my first time to your blog. I’m sure glad I found you because this sounds like a easy craft for me and my 2 1/2 yr. old grandson. We can make them together when I’m with him alone, and save them as gifts for his mom and dad for Christmas. Thanks for sharing, and I’m anxious to see what you have next. Great blog!!

  99. 100
    Mona
    Reply

    I absolutely adore this idea, and I’ll save it in my heart for the day I have a home of my own. Then I’ll keep my nail brushes in them, and make a collection of vases for my pine tree branches. Can’t wait!

  110. 111
    Esmeralda
    Reply

    Is there a specific type of paint to use, for flower vases? I don’t want the color to fade. Would like to keep for future use.
    Any suggestions. Would appreciate any help or ideas.
    Thank you,

  135. 139
    Missy Chandler
    Reply

    Love these! Just wanted to add that you can find “wire cooling racks” at most Dollar stores… mine were 2 for a buck. I used them to let the jars “drip”. I just put down my newspaper and set the racks on top, turned the jars upside down and let the dripping begin… lol! I was able to clean the racks up for future use but once they get TOO yucky I can just toss them. Or- as I’m prone to doing, find another use for them. Don’t we all need pain covered cooling racks somewhere in our craft rooms???

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