Get ready to set the spooky mood for your Halloween party! Mason jar luminary lanterns are an easy, affordable way to bring a touch of spooky ambiance to your holiday. Plus, they look great and can be customized in whatever color you choose.
Welcome, craft enthusiasts! As Halloween approaches, it’s time to add some spooky charm to your home decor.
Why not let your creative spirits fly with DIY Mason jar luminary lanterns? These lanterns, with their warm, flickering glow, are perfect for setting a ghostly Halloween scene. They’re not just beautiful; they’re also incredibly easy and fun to make!
Whether you place them on your porch to welcome trick-or-treaters or use them as a centerpiece for your Halloween party, these luminary lanterns are sure to be a hit. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and start crafting!
Note: Have leftover jars? Use them to make different Halloween Lanterns.
How To Make Luminary Lanterns For Halloween
Trying to think of a spooky-yet-festive way to decorate your home for Halloween? Look no further than luminary lanterns! These charming decorations are easy enough to make with a few mason jars and craft supplies.
Supplies Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- Americana 2-oz. Bright Orange Gloss Enamel Paint
- Americana Crystal Gloss Enamel Glitter Paint, Orange
- Crystal Gloss Enamels Paint 2 Oz-Yellow
- DecoArt 2-Ounce 3-D Gloss Enamel Writer, Orange
- Mason jars
- Contact paper or adhesive vinyl (painters or masking tape would work here in a pinch)
- Tea lights or glow sticks
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
Spooky Luminary Lantern Instructions
Are you ready to make some festive Halloween luminary lanterns? Here’s what you’ll need to do…
Step 1: Prep Your Jars
Take a few minutes to remove the labels from your mason jars. You can do this easily by soaking the jars in hot soapy water for a few minutes before wiping them clean.
Once you’ve removed all of the labels, rinse each jar and let it dry completely.
Step 2: Cut Out Halloween Face Stickers
Next, it’s time to cut out some spooky faces for your luminary lanterns. For this step, you can either use contact paper or adhesive vinyl.
If you’re using contact paper, simply print out a template of the Halloween face designs that you want to use and trace them onto the back side of the contact paper. Cut the designs out of the contact paper and set them aside.
If you’re using adhesive vinyl, use your Cricut to cut your shapes, but you can use scissors or a craft knife to do the job.
You will need various pumpkin eyes, noses, and mouths to make different faces on your jars.
Step 3: Paint The Mason Jars
Now it’s time to give your luminary lanterns some personality!
To do this, apply a few coats of bright orange enamel paint to each jar. For extra sparkle, you can also add a touch of glitter paint for an extra spooky effect. You may need to use two or three coats before the paint is fully opaque.
Once your mason jars are completely dry, cut around all of your vinyl with a craft knife and remove.
Step 4: Add Your Final Touches
Once your jars are dry, you can add the finishing touches. Start by adding the 3D Gloss Enamels Writer in orange around each opening. After this dries, fill each opening with Crystal Gloss Enamels in yellow.
Finally, add your tea lights or glow sticks to each jar and place the jars around your home. You’re done!
These are a fun way to light up your porch on Halloween night. Line a path to your door with these fun Halloween luminary lanterns, and make sure those trick-or-treaters know exactly which way to walk.
FAQs
If you have questions about making these DIY Halloween lanterns, I have answers for you! Please leave your question for me in the comments if you don’t see it already answered below.
Can I use different colors than orange and yellow?
Absolutely! You can mix and match any colors you like or stick with the traditional Halloween colors to keep your decorations more traditional.
What kind of tea lights should I use?
You can use regular tea lights, battery-operated LED candles, or even glow sticks! Just be sure to keep your eyes open when using candles around kids.
How long do the luminary lanterns last?
These Halloween decorations will last for years if taken care of properly. When not in use, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to ensure they last as long as possible.
More craft ideas
If you love this project and want to make Halloween decor, we have those for you! Just follow the links below.
- How to Paint Halloween Flower Pots
- DIY Halloween Mason Jar Toppers with a Cricut
- Free Printable Halloween Labels
- Halloween Candy Bucket That Glows in the Dark
- DIY Haunted House That Lights Up
Supplies
- Americana 2-oz. Bright Orange Gloss Enamel Paint
- Americana Crystal Gloss Enamel Glitter Paint 2-Ounce, Orange
- Crystal Gloss Enamels Paint 2 Oz-Yellow
- DecoArt 2-Ounce 3-D Gloss Enamel Writer Orange
- Mason jars
- Contact paper or adhesive vinyl painters or masking tape would work here in a pinch
- Tea lights or glow sticks
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Take a few minutes to remove the labels from your mason jars. You can do this easily by soaking the jars in hot soapy water for a few minutes before wiping them clean.
- Once you’ve removed all of the labels, rinse each jar and let it dry completely.
- Next, it’s time to cut out some spooky faces for your luminary lanterns. For this step, you can either use contact paper or adhesive vinyl.You will need various pumpkin eyes, noses, and mouths to make different faces on your jars.
- If you’re using contact paper, simply print out a template of the Halloween face designs that you want to use and trace them onto the back side of the contact paper. Cut the designs out of the contact paper and set them aside.
- If you’re using adhesive vinyl, use your Cricut to cut your shapes, but you can use scissors or a craft knife to do the job.
- Apply a few coats of bright orange enamel paint to each jar. For extra sparkle, you can also add a touch of glitter paint for an extra spooky effect. You may need to use two or three coats before the paint is fully opaque.
- Once your mason jars are completely dry, cut around all of your vinyl with a craft knife and remove.
- Start by adding the 3D Gloss Enamels Writer in orange around each opening. After this dries, fill each opening with Crystal Gloss Enamels in yellow.
- Finally, add your tea lights or glow sticks to each jar and place the jars around your home.
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Greetings from Helsinki, Finland