Introduction: How to Make Jars Look Vintage

Having to buy jars that look vintage is both hard and expensive. You either can't find the right colors or you don't like the size of them. So why not make them yourself that are both easy and at an affordable price? This instructable shows to take left over jars you have in your closet, and color them to make them look vintage. The main use for these jars would be to put flowers in them, but you could also use them as a great present to give. Its easy, an affordable project, and can be done by anybody.

Step 1: Materials

In order to make jars look vintage you will need the following items:

Ingredients:

  1. Food coloring
  2. 1 TBSP Mod podge
  3. 1/2 TBSP Water

Equipment:

  1. Oven
  2. Wax paper
  3. Newspaper
  4. 2 baking sheets
  5. Stir stick/small spoon
  6. Empty glass jars
  7. Mixing bowl
  8. Paper towels

Step 2: Setup

Steps:

  1. Prep a baking sheet or pan by lining it with newspaper, and so it is thick enough that the mixture won't seep through.
  2. Prep the second baking sheet by lining it with wax paper.
  3. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees.

Tip: You may not want to do Step 3 until your jars are almost done drying on the first baking sheet of newspaper.

Step 3: Make the Mixture

When making the mixture you want to keep in mind how big or small your different jars are. For a bigger jar you are going to want to add more mod podge and water to make more of the mixture. Put your best judgement forward as to how much you think you will need. These measurements below are used for a small or medium jar.

Steps:

  1. Add 1 TBSP of mod podge into the mixing bowl.
  2. Then add about 1/2 TBSP of water into the mixing bowl.
  3. Now add different amounts of food coloring to make the desired color you want for your jar.

Note: You don't have to just make one color for all of your jars. You can make as many colors as you want by using the different food colors.

Step 4: Pour and Cover

Steps:

  1. Pour colored mod podge mixture that you have just made into a jar.
  2. Rotate it completely and cover the entire jar.
  3. When the mixture reaches the head of the jar have a paper towel ready to pick up the extra mixture that might fall out at the mouth.

Note: Make sure every spot of the jar is covered.

Step 5: Drying

Using the first baking sheet that has the newspaper, you want to follow these instructions on how to place the jars:

  1. Place your first jar upside down.
  2. Keep placing your next jars that you cover with the mod podge mixture upside down.
  3. Place these far apart so they are not touching each other, and in nice even rows like the picture above.
  4. Let them sit upside down for about an hour, or until the are completely dry.
  5. After an hour flip them upright and put them on the baking sheet that has the wax paper on it.

Note: The extra mod podge mixture is running down the sides of the jars, and letting it sit for an hour will help reduce streak marks on the finished product.

Clean up: There will be left over mod podge mixture on the newspaper. Bundle this up and throw it away in the trash. Easy clean up!

Step 6: Switch and Bake

Once you flip the jars upright, follow these steps:

  1. Place upright jars on the baking sheet with wax paper the same way you placed them on the baking sheet with newspaper. Make sure they are placed far apart from each other, and in even rows.
  2. Once jars are on the baking sheet, place them in the preheated oven at 225 degrees.
  3. Leave the jars in the oven for about 45 minutes, but if there are still streaks leave them in until you can't see anymore streaks.

Caution: Make sure to use the appropriate gloves/hand protection when putting the baking sheet in and out of the oven. It will be especially important when taking the baking sheet out because it will be very hot.

Step 7: Final Step

After your jars have been in the oven for 45 minutes, take the baking sheet out of the oven. Let the jars cool and you are ready to use them in anyway you want. You could use them in both home and outdoor decor. This is just a simple and interesting way to spruce up your home without having to spend lots of money for the real thing.