Introduction: DIY Mason Jar Luminaries

About: Content creative at Wholesale Halloween Costumes who loves to create DIY projects for Halloween.

The night can bring magic and wonder to the Halloween season. Give in to this enchanting season and create haunting luminaries that look great either in the dark or in the light! Start saving used jars that you can recycle for this budget friendly craft! Even if you’re not an artist, you can create creepy custom designs using our free printable templates full of spooky characters!

These mason jar luminaries are sure to make your Halloween a bright one! You can but them anywhere you'd like, whether it's in your bedroom, living room, or outside to accent your Jack-o-Lanterns!

Tara from Spot of Tea Designs created and photographed (Check out her Instagram) these glowing, glass luminaries. Even if you don’t feel like carving a pumpkin this year, you can still cast a seasonal glow on all the trick-or-treaters dropping by for candy on Halloween.

Step 1: Materials

Supplies:

  • Jars
  • Broad and Fine Tip Paint Pens
  • Paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Candles (real wicked candles or battery operated)
  • Optional: printable Template 1 and Template 2

Step 2: Painting the Jars

Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your jars. Apply thin coats of paint on the inside of the jars and allow drying between each coat.

Step 3: Trace the Template

Cut the printable template in a height that will fit inside your jar. Curl it and insert it and you should see it through the glass. Use a fine tip paint pen and trace the template seen.

Use the broad tip paint pen to fill in the larger spaces.

Step 4: ​Tips

  1. You can use recycled jars or store bought but a flat face without bumping designs is best.
  2. Acrylic paint or spray paint can be used to tint the jars, but make sure you cover your workspace if you opt for spray paint.
  3. Remember, this template is just a GUIDE so feel free to free form draw or edit the design.
  4. Go slow when filling in large spaces with the broad pen. If you go too fast, the paint doesn’t flow out as well and the coverage is much thinner.

Step 5: All Done!

Allow to dry, insert a candle inside and put on display for some spooky nights!

When using this technique to fill in the dark bottom edge of the jar, the bottom lights up with a cool effect in the dark!