Things You'll Need:
- Mason Jar(s)
- Paint (Enamel for Glass)
- Paint Brushes
- Paper Plate (optional)
- Old painting clothes
- Oven
- Creativity
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Step 1
Save your old glass sauce jars such as the mason jars that pasta sauces come in.
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Step 2
Purchase paint enamels from your local craft or hobby store. *Note: These are not acrylic paints. They must be labeled enamel and be suitable for glass in order for the paint to bake properly and not peel off of your jars.I used the FolkArt Enamels by Plaid. These should be around $1 to $3/bottle. I paid $1.29/ 2 oz. bottle at the Hobby Lobby near my home. They sell online at http://www.plaidonline.com for $2.69 per 2 oz. bottle plus shipping. The bottles are small, but you should not have to use much of each color per jar.
*Hint*: I purchased primary colors and white. I then mixed new colors as needed. This helps to make the project budget friendly. This also teaches children how to mix colors! -
Step 3
Remove labels and Glue: Soak your jars for about thirty minutes or until the label becomes saturated enough to scrub off the label and the label's glue. Any type of abrasive sponge should work great. Get as much glue off as you can. If a trace is left, don't worry about it, but really try to get as much as you can off.
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Step 4
Dry your jars thoroughly with a paper towel, rag, or wash cloth.
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Step 5
Now you're ready to paint! Give each person/child a jar and let each of them have a paint brush or a variety of brushes. Dispense paint. I usually set my jar of brushes (old brushes collected over the years through various art projects) in the middle of the table and squirt a little of each color onto a paper plate. This allows for easy clean up and makes sure that your little ones don't waste your paint. Make sure not to paint the rim of the jar( where a person would put his or her lips to drink out of the jar),in case the jar is later used as a drinking glass.
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Step 6
Once each person has painted his or her jar, let the jars dry to the touch (or at least enough that you don't ruin the paint putting them into the oven) and place them into the oven on 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Turn the oven off and let the jars cool in the oven. I would let them sit for a least couple of hours. Do not try to take the jars out before they are cool for you may break the jar(s), ruin the paint, and worst of all, burn yourself. Hot glass is brittle! (Adults to use the oven only.)
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Step 7
Enjoy your new jars! Each person can now use his or her jar as a personal drinking glass (jar), or flower vase, pencil holder, or whatever sounds clever! Hand wash jar gently to avoid scratching paint. Paint should be scratch resistant after it is baked, however, it will scratch with rough abrasion.
