Painted Glass Jars

The last Christmas gift idea that I'm going to give you is how to spruce up a plain jar of candy.  This is a great gift that you can make a bunch of to keep in the cupboard for those unexpected holiday guests and neighbors.  I always hate having someone show up with a gift and not having something ready in return. So I went and got a 12 pack of glass jars.  If you remember back when I made a painted candy jar for Halloween, well I've improved upon the idea.  Turns out they make glass paint pens.  They are so user friendly and went on beautifully!  I simply sat down and decorated my jars with a variety of polka dots, stars, Christmas trees and other simple Christmas shapes.  You let the paint cure for 24 hours and then bake according to the instructions.  Once baked the paint is dish washer safe!  Here are a few of my baked jars.

Then all you have to do is fill with your favorite holiday treat, and top with a cute bow and gift tag.  Now you have the perfect little something to give to neighbor's, teachers, and those unexpected visitors.

And because I'm just so nice, I'm going to give you another free printable!  This time of my holiday tags.  All you have to do is click the image and then right click and hit save.  Then print it as a 8x10 image on standard size card stock.  The circles will be the perfect size for a 2" circle punch.

Enjoy!

Painted Glass Candy Jar

I have to tell you, for such a simple project this thing was trouble!  Some projects just fall into place, but this wasn't one of them.  That being said, now that its finally done I'm happy with the result.  Let me introduce you to the painted glass candy jar.

Now for my story.  I have had a bowl of candy corn sitting on my kitchen counter for the last few weeks.   My kids LOVE candy corn and since its a seasonal treat, we take advantage this time of year.  But the problem was every time I walked past that bowl, I grabbed a few.  I was having serious sugar shock and next thing I new I was chewing more candy corn.  Tell me I'm not the only one who eats without thinking?!?  I decided I had to move my candy into something with a lid.  That way I had to make the decision to take the lid off if I wanted candy, and would quite eating without thought.

My idea was to take a mason jar and use a stencil and frost the glass.  I did this and it turned out really cute, but it was subtle.  You had to look really close to see the design, not quite what I had in mind.  While I was making this first jar, I also made a few jar votive holders with the same technique. They actually look cute.

So I decided to try again and this time paint the jar with stain glass paint. 

Here's how I did it:
1. Cut out a design with contact paper and place it on your jar.
2.  Paint your jar with glass paint.  It will take many many thin coats.
3. Once dry to the touch, remove your stencil and watch half the paint come off with it.
4. Paint the design back on by hand.  I didn't actually lose everything, but I had to hand paint the eyes, nose and some of the detail around the bones.
5. Let cure for 24 hours
6. Bake glass at 300 degrees F for 35 min. (follow the directions on your paint) Once baked your glass will be waterproof.
7. Modge podge some fabric on the top of your lid.
8. Spray paint the rim of your lid black. I did a really crappy paint job and had a bunch of silver showing through, so I just scratched it up so it would look intentional.
9. Top with a cute bow

Like I said, I'm happy with the final result.  I think making a bunch of smaller ones to give as gifts would be a lot of fun.  Especially with a cute tag saying to use as a candle holder once the candy was gone. Maybe for Christmas, but I'm done painting glass for now.  Here are a few more pics.

Now if I could do something with all the cookies in my house....

P.S.  Just so you all know, not everything lives on my front steps.  But for the life if me I can't get a decent picture inside so its just easier to have outside photo shoots.

I will be linking to these parties and these events: