Update/Disclaimer: I have been getting a lot of views of this post, probably since folks think they might actually get instructions on how to make the very bright and pretty mason jars seen in the image going around the 'net. I never could get the original link to work, and I'm fairly certain that those jars were manufactured, not a D.I.Y. project. Correct me if I'm wrong, and enjoy our project!
A friend had pinned an image with a caption that claimed a how-to for making jars look like "sea glass" using Elmer's Glue and food coloring. As luck would have it, the link didn't work - the server (or whatever fancy website-blocking software) here at school blocked it. I should probably be thankful, since it very well could be a bogus, porn/virus-filled link, despite the really pretty jars. But if you've seen this pin, and the link works, let me know. Maybe it's legit (or possibly even too legit to quit).
LEFT: the alleged "sea glass" jars RIGHT: the "sea glass" jars we made
circulating the world of Pinterest after reading several how-to's
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As for the actual project, the how-to varied greatly. Some blogs suggested modge podge as the base, others glue; some recommended adding a little water, some a little dish soap; some were particular to food coloring in gel form, others weren't specific - another suggested using acrylic paint to add color. Some said to bake the jars at low heat, others said to let the jars air dry for a day or so. About half suggested coloring the jars from the inside, the other half suggested paining the outside using a foam brush. And of course, there were a mass of mixed results. So goes the world of DIY!
The other evening (Friday, not Monday - but we're still going to call this a make-something-monday) I hung out with my sister and we decided to try this out on some empty jars and bottles. She went with the interior coating, I went with exterior. Excuse the lack of progression pictures, we were too busy crafting! For now, just use your imagination.
Nearly all of the how-to's called for pretty much the same materials, so here are our ingredients:
- Modge Podge, matte finish (it's all I had, but it may be the key to the frosted finish)
- Food coloring, regular old liquid drops
- A bit of water
- Empty containers/food trays for mixing and draining
- Paint brushes (regular and foamy)
Interior coating
G's trio, looking sea-glassy |
Exterior coating
my trio, looking streaky and sea-glassy (and slightly out of focus. we won't complain) |
All-in-all I'd call this a success. I think the trick here was the matte-finish modge podge, "matte" being a fancy term for "not-shiny" - which we all know good sea glass is. As I mentioned earlier, a lot of the blogs we looked at had jars that ended up with more of a tinted-glass appearance that wasn't so frosted. If you're going for that tinted glass look (like the antique ball jars, etc.) then I would recommend using regular modge podge, or trying the Elmer's glue route. But if you're going for a frosted sea-glass look, I'd go with the matte-finish modge podge. And from the picture, you can't even tell which method we each used.
Keep in mind, though, if your intention is to fill the jar with a liquid you might want to apply the coloring to the outside, since modge podge and Elmer's glue are water-based. If you just want a cool-looking jar for non-liquid storing purposes, you could go with either method. Or, heck, use both methods on one jar! In different colors! Go crazy!
nothing like the alleged "sea glass" jars, but pretty darn cool looking |
As lovely as these are, and as easy as this was to do (definitely on the to-do-again list), nothing beats true sea glass, lovingly prepared by mother nature: the sea, the rocks, and a little bit of time.
sea glass beach, fort bragg, CA |
Thanks for trying this out! Great to see ALL the instructions. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lina, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteAdd a drop pf dawn soap to the glue...it will frost it.
ReplyDeleteHi Liz, thanks for the tip - we'll have to try that next time.
DeleteThis is an awesome idea - thanks
ReplyDeleteHopefully you had some luck and they came out nicely for you!
DeleteIn model railroading we use "wet water" to settle terrain in. A drop of detergent makes the water spray soak in; the glue having been already applied.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that means you can make "fuzzy" stuff as well.
Interesting - I'll have to explore that if we do it again.
DeleteAll the ones I've looked at called for Elmers School Glue.
ReplyDeleteWe looked at so many and they were about 50-50 in using either the glue or modgepodge. We happened to have modgepodge, but maybe we'll try the glue next time!
DeleteAlso try using more than 1 coat of the mixture and a larger amount of coloring. :) Mine are turning out perfectly frosted!
ReplyDeleteGood idea, maybe we'll try that if we do these again.
DeleteHaha, I blogged on this exact thing from this exact pin. The link actually takes you to an Etsy shop that sells them and describes them thusly: "Each jar is hand painted with long lasting durable oven fired specialty paint. This paint is designed specifically for glass. These are dishwasher safe and will last for years to come." So, I don't know where the pinner got the Elmer's glue instructions.
ReplyDeleteNice!! And thanks for the input on the original source. I hadn't searched very thoroughly for source of the pic even though I was very suspect on the magical powers they seemed to have with Elmer's glue. Such is the world of DIY on Pinterest!
DeleteSo glad I found your blog. Whether I ever get off of the Internet long enough to actually do anything, I love your ideas and how you shared them! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThere is a crystal coating made specifically for glass and there are new neon colors of food coloring. She may have used Wilton Cake colors as they are very vibrant. I will try this and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteI found this on the internet. I haven't tried it but this person used something different than food coloring. Maybe it will help
ReplyDeleteclean, clear mason jars
food coloring (Wilton icing gels)
school glue
water
foam paint brush
Fran
We looked at a lot of different instructions - these materials look like what some of the other projects used as well.
DeleteIm working on something like these jars....How do I put a picture in here.....and I will show you mine....I have been working two weeks on mine to get them a light frosted color....I looked up diy mason to get some hints to help me out...and came across your blog.....Please email me to let me know how to post a picture. My email is kimcronic1968@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, I'm not sure it's possible to add a picture to a comment. Glad you're trying the project out and I'm sure your jars are coming out great - especially with the time you're spending on them!
DeleteI got clear vases at the 99¢ Only Store for...well...99¢. Two small ones came as a pair so 55¢ each!
ReplyDeleteIf you use straight glue and food coloring (no water), the color is more opaque. I can't post a pic here, but that is what I've been doing and I love the look.
ReplyDeleteTry elmers glue and food clor o m g sooooo nice cant wait to do more.
ReplyDeleteIs this permanent? I am trying to permanently color wine glasses.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak to the permanence of this method because we never washed the jars - they were intended to be decorative pieces. If you're handwashing the glasses, you're probably going to be more gentle on the coloring than a dishwasher would be. Maybe practice on a cheap dollar store wine glass to start?
DeleteThere may be a craft product out there that is designed to permanently color glass - I haven't looked very closely, but it's worth a google search or to.
Good luck!
If you want to make it permanent, spray with several layers of clear coat.
ReplyDeleteUse a funnel if the mouth of the bottle is too small, and just shake the funnel sideways so that the thick lotion can drip inside. 750ml empty liquor bottles for sale
ReplyDeleteit would've come with bottle adapters to sit in the opening. Well I didn't use one, wholesale liquor bottles
ReplyDeleteSuper neat project! I laughed when I read the beginning when you wrote too legit to quit! I love the movie Hot rod.
ReplyDelete