I was sitting at a little artsy café with my hubby enjoying some decadent chocolate fondue for our 9th anniversary and suddenly I had this great idea: dyed glass luminaries from baby jars. This was featured in the Simple Summer Magazine Issue here.
As I sat there reminiscing and taking in the past 9 years, thinking through the great moments, the not so great moments, the waitresses interesting accent, the cafés decor, our wedding day, how cute my husband looks……
So back to the cute little café decor.
I noticed that hanging over each table were beautiful brightly colored vases with candles. I loved it! Sitting there thoroughly engaged in our romantic evening and enjoying our deep and silly conversation, I was also coming up with a list in my head on how I can make a version of these glass vase luminaries myself. Yes, women can be in the midst of a romantic moment and still think about mundane tasks like the grocery list.
In my mind, I toyed around with learning how to blow glass and opening up a cute little shop with beautiful one of a kind glass decor pieces but that idea was quickly replaced with a much more practical one. Why don’t I just learn how to dye glass?
I have a habit of including my husband in my crafting thought process which I am sure he loves (insert smirk). I interrupted our conversation about our future goals and desires and I asked him “How do you think they dyed those vases?”
His reply was to the point “I don’t know.”
We carried on with our fabulous anniversary (NO KIDS) evening. Later when I got home looked it up and pretty much everyone’s process was the similar: glue, food coloring and water.
I was already planning an Alfresco Dinner Party so this project Dyed Glass Luminaries from baby food jars was added to the list. To my surprise no one had tried it yet with baby food jars at least that was the results from my online search. So here’s my unique take on it, enjoy!
For more simple summer projects stop by and check out our recipes, crafts and home decor here or join the fun via Facebook or Feedburner.
Dyed Glass Luminaries from Baby Jars
Supplies:
- food coloring (colors of your choice)
- washed baby food jars w/ lids
- glue (basic white paper glue)
- water
Process:
- In each jar place 1tsp of glue, 2 tsp of water and 3 drop of food coloring and mix.
- Place lid on jar and shake around making sure that it’s completely covered.
- With lid still on turn over and let it drip down.
- Then once the excess has completely dripped down, remove the cap and turn over to let it air dry (completely dry inside).
- Wrap wire around the rim and then over for the handle.
It took about 20min and it cost me nothing (since I had all of these items on hand at home).
NOTE: If you notice that the jars are not completely covered then shake it up again and start over with step #2. Also, if you want your colors to be darker add more food coloring. Play around with the ratios but this is what worked for me. Also, if you are too lazy to take them down after your party and it happens to rain the colors will strip off. Not that I did that, ahem.
They looked absolutely beautiful when they were lit up in the dark! So beautiful, that I used it for the cover of our Simple Summer Issue.
2nd image above via Rosannalnc, last image taken by Carla Ackermanns Photography
I entered this project in the CSI Project and it won! I don’t think I have ever participated in one of these. Fun times!
Awesome idea! I’ll have to try this!
Chelse, thanks. It was so easy.
I love this idea! I hope you will link this up to the CSI Project. The challenge is Summer outdoor decorating and parties. These would be perfect. You just might win or be featured!
Come on over! http://www.thecsiproject.com
The challenge ends Friday at noon.
Dee, thanks for the invite. I will have to stop by and read up on it.
I read that you can use Deco Art paints and they are suppose to be permanent . if you bake them at 275-325 for 30 minutes.
Rosemary, Sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing your tip. ~mari
Great idea! I just made magnetic spice jars out of baby food jars to hold my various sprinkles (I think they are too pretty to be locked up in the cabinet!) I would love to try this too
Yes! I do keep my spice jars & didn’t even think of that! Now i don’t have to go buy baby food 🙂
Karin, That’s a great idea.
I am loving this! I have a huge box of baby food jars for ???? which would be perfect. Also it would let my hubby know I did save them for a reason, lol. Thank you for sharing at Freedom Fridays.
ps I am pinning them so I can make them
OMG.. These are so cute! Thanks for linking up at Friday Fun Party.. Have a nice weekend.
Really cute jars, I love them, and the colors. Thanks for sharing.
This is such an awesome idea! I’ll have to give it a shot!
I am so going to make these … they are darling! Found you on the weekend link up. Following via twitter.Would love a follow back!
This is such a neat idea! They turned out very pretty!
Tried it today easy fun and pretty.
These are so beautiful—daytime or evening. Love! And, seem so much fun to make too!
Great idea!! I think I’ll pin this now 🙂
What a fantastic idea! I like to keep jars for a just in case thing, this is a great way to decorate and use them interestingly.
They do make for a beautiful picture!
Guess what awesome project was featured at Freedom Fridays this week?? I’m not telling, lol! See you there.
-.- I hate you. LOL!
I just got done turning a canning jar into a soap dispenser. Then I find you, with this. And I just so happen to have a decent sized box of baby food jars tucked away somewhere. I also have a few boxes of old canning jars too… Hmmmm… Wouldn’t those look lovely as centerpieces?
*sigh* ;P
does the glue not melt down once it gets warm? and how do you make a soap dispenser out of a canning jar?
Kms,
They did great for our shindig but my problem was I left them out and it rained. That ruined them. I mentioned that above in the article but my SIL just told me you can bake them to keep them from ruining. I have never baked them so I don’t know if it that works. If you try it let us know. For the soap dispenser from canning jar all you need to do is make a hole on top the the canning jar lid and insert the pump and glue(good craft glue) the pump to the lid.
Found this on Pinterest…. you ought to add a Pinterest icon to your posts! This makes it a new easy way to share your ideas!
Josie, I wish I could. WP my webhost doesn’t allow it but that was 6 months ago maybe I should check into again.
Thx, for stopping by! Mari
Can’t wait to try this!!
Not sure if anyone else had this problem, but with 1 tsp glue and 2 TbS water, it was very watery and nothing really stuck to color the glass. I don’t know if it was the generic brand of glue I used, or the ratios, but it didn’t work as easily as I had hoped it would! If anyone sees this and has recommendations, I’d be glad to hear it!
Hi Jen, I am sorry it was runny for you. I really don’t know what happened other than maybe it was your glue. I will play with the ratios tomorrow and let you know.
1 teaspoon glue and 2 teaspoons (not Tablespoons) water.
i made this as a party favor for my daughter’s christening since i had a lot of baby food jar. It was so easy to make and i didn’t have to buy expensive favors since all i needed was glue, food color and water. Thank you for this cool idea.
Gracey, so glad it worked out for you. I am sure it was a lovely party. Thx for letting us know.
Would heat from a candle melt the glue inside??
Leslie, I didn’t have a problem with the glue melting.
Leslie, I didn’t have a problem with the glue melting.
Do you know if you used tealight candles instead of taller candles if that would make the glue melt b/c it would be further down in the jar?
Rachel, My candles melted down to practically nothing and it didn’t do anything to the glue.
I was wondering how long it took to dry, I tried it yesterday and after 12 hours, they still weren’t dry….
Quinn, It took them about an hour to dry on a hot sunny day. Not sure why it’s taking so long to dry for you.
What happened when the hot wax got in contact with the dried paint mixture? Did it hold up? or melt into the wax?
Katie,
Nothing happened to mine when the wax melted. What messed up mine, is that I left them outside and then it rained all day for days.
hello i was wondering what size candles you used
Hi, I used tea lights. Hope it turns out wonderful! ~mari
Instead of taking them down, if there’s no chance of high wind and breaking glass, put the lids on them for re-use!