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Yes, I am already thinking of fall and leaves so my fall jar luminary is fitting in perfectly around here. The weather seems to be so cool around here lately that visions of red, gold, and orange are all I can think about. Grab a mason jar, old pickle jar, or any other glass container you can find to upcycle into this luminary. A few glass paints from DecoArt were all I needed to make this craft. I am displaying it with my monk’s cloth pumpkins but you can add anything you want to this gorgeous autumn craft.
Fall Jar Luminary Supplies:
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- Jar (I used a large pickle jar but you could use any glass container available to you.) (Click here for tips on how to remove those sticky labels from recycled jars.)
- DecoArt glass paints in the following:
- DecoArt Dazzling Metallic Paint in Glorious Gold
- 3D Gloss Enamels Transparent Glass Writer in Black
- Crystal Gloss Enamels Transparent Glass Paint in Orange, Yellow, and Red.
- DecoArt Dazzling Metallic Paint in Glorious Gold
- Vinyl shapes for masking (I used my Cricut to cut some leaf shapes in various sizes.)
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Fall Jar Luminary Instructions:
1. Start any glass project by cleaning your surface really well. I use rubbing alcohol to wipe down my surfaces. Then adhere the vinyl leaves to your jar. I used gold vinyl cut on my Cricut just because that is what I had on hand. The vinyl is for masking only and will be removed later. Apply a variety of leaf shapes and sizes to the jar randomly. Press the edges of each one firmly to make sure they have adhered.
2. Paint the entire jar with the metallic gold paint. I used 3 coats on my jar allowing the paint to dry completely in between coats. After your final coat has dried, cut around each leaf with a craft knife then pull to remove the masking. It is very important to cut around the outside of each one to keep from damaging the paint at this point.
3. Trace each leave with the 3D glass writer. The leaf on the left below has just been traced and the paint is still wet while the one on the right has been traced, painted, and is completely dry. You can see the difference in color from wet to dry in this picture.
4. After the black writer has dried, apply the transparent glass paint into each leaf. I randomly chose red, orange, and yellow paint for my leaves.
5. Allow your entire project to dry completely. Bake according to the package directions. Add any candle to the inside of your luminary and you are ready to light up your home. I used a battery-powered candle on the inside of my jar.
This is a lovely way to bring fall into your home. The light shines through each leaf and seems to cast a fall glow on the surroundings. I hope you enjoy this fall jar luminary craft as much as I do.
So, grab your supplies and make your own fall jar luminary today! You are going to love the results!
Love fall mason jar crafts and want more ideas? Try the links below!
- Simple Fall Fairy Light Luminary
- Metallic Fall Jars
- Decorative Glass Jars for Fall
- Scarecrow Jar Fall Craft Idea
- 25 Jar Ideas for Fall – Crafts and Recipes
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Summer Rumsey says
This is so pretty! I can’t wait to try out some glass paints!
Katie {Sweet Rose Studio} says
Amazing as always Angie! I can’t wait to test this out!
Tara @ Suburble says
How cute! I’ve been longing to try glass paints. I need to get my hands on some!
[email protected] says
Very pretty Angie, I’m so ready for fall!!
malia says
Those gloss enamels are the bomb… I would love to try them!
srpprcrftr says
I have some of the older glass paints, really older but still liquid, might try this first with them to save some green stuff. Anyway, love your jar, it is so pretty and looks fantastic and fairly easy. I’ll have to use clear contact paper to make the leaves as no silhouette. The leaves with the gold, red, etc. look gorgeous. I have lots of big pickle jars I got (free) last year. Love to make luminaries out of them among other things. Hubs has been complaining about the room they take up. Uh huh, I’m not getting rid of my pickle jars. He complained about the room all my vintage blue mason jars took up also, tuff. Those jars traveled from MT to KY to CO. Only one, a clear one, got broken. I always love your projects and enjoy making them. Keep up the wonderful posts you do.
Amanda says
Great idea Angie, I love how the leaves are transparent! Pretty!
Dana Cortor says
I am going to try this project. What does it mean bake? are the instructions on the paint bottle?
Rosalyn Ceccacci says
I like the jar with the vinyl leaves on it. I may try it with different colored vinyl and see how it looks and skip the painting. By the way, your luminary is beautiful. Thank you