How to Make Luminaries Using a Juice Glass

Decorate the outside of a glass to turn it into a luminary.

Juice glasses are a mere coat of paint or paper away from becoming luminaries. A luminary is an object with an open end and light inside. Most luminaries have a decorative element on their exterior that the light from within intensifies, adding a level of dynamism to the object. There are many ways you can transform a basic juice glass into a luminary, and many of the necessary supplies are already in your house.

Things You'll Need

• Bottled acrylic paint
• Paintbrush
• Acrylic paint marker
• Paper cutouts
• Double-sided tape
• Frosted glass spray paint
• Paper doily
• Glue stick
• Metallic spray paint
• Contact paper
• Tissue paper
• Clear-drying craft glue

Instructions

1. Brush a coat of semi-transparent acrylic paint on the outside of a juice glass to create a colorful luminary. Allow the paint to dry overnight.

2. Paint designs, like polka dots or jack-o-lantern faces, to create a multicolored luminary. Brush bottled acrylic paint onto the juice glass, or draw designs with acrylic paint markers. Allow the design to dry overnight.

3. Tape paper cutouts to the surface of the juice glass to act as a reverse image for a frosted luminary. Place double-sided tape along the edges of the paper shapes to ensure the cutouts lay flat against the glass. Turn the juice glass upside-down on your work surface to confine the paint to the outside, and then spray the exterior of the glass with frosted glass paint. Allow the paint to dry for at least 30 minutes before removing the paper cutouts.

4. Rub a glue stick gently on a paper doily, and press it to the surface of a juice glass to transfer a detailed image. Turn the juice glass upside-down, and spray over the doily with metallic spray paint to create an ornate, gilded design. A light layer of glue stick is akin to the adhesive on a sticky note. Wait at least 30 minutes for the paint to dry, and then peel the doily off the luminary.

5. Cut shapes out of contact paper to affix sticker-like embellishments to a juice glass luminary. Cut out basic shapes like stars or hearts, or cut elaborate shapes like silhouettes. Peel the paper backing off the contact paper. Affix the cutouts to the exterior of the juice glass.

6. Cut or tear pieces of tissue paper to create a decoupage design on a juice glass. Brush a section of the glass with clear-drying craft glue. Press each piece of tissue paper to the glue. Cut paper into shapes, or create designs with torn pieces of tissue. Brush a light coat of glue over the finished tissue paper design to create a protective seal over the paper.

Tips & Warnings

• Place any embellishment on the outside of the glass to avoid a potential fire hazard when you light the luminary. Even dried paint and adhesive can be flammable.