Bohemian Beaded Colored Mason Jar Tutorial

In my last post, Colored Glass Mason Jar Tutorial, I demonstrated how to 

create extremely cool and stylish colored jars with Mod Podge and food coloring. 

Now, take it a step further and dress up those pretty jars with some wire

 and beads and turn them into beautiful Bohemian hanging jars...

First, gather your supplies.  

Here is what you will need:

One finished colored jar (here's the DIY tutorial for coloring the jars)

Craft wire (I used 20g around the jar and 26 g for the beads)

Craft chain (I used jewelry chain) and Jump rings (5-6mm) 

A variety of coordinating beads

Jewelry pliers - any type, small

Directions for adding wire & chain hangers to the jars: 

1. Cut a 3 foot length of 20 gauge craft wire and wrap the wire around 

the rim of the jar below the lip. When you get to the end of the wire, 

twist it together with the beginning end of wire until both ends are 

secured together, and then snip off any excess wire. Tuck any pointy 

wire ends against the jar with a pair of pliers. 

(Note: if you are going to add beads to your jar, do this before adding the chain hangers)

2. Measure and cut four equal lengths of chain. I made each of mine 8 

inches long. Attach lengths of jewelry chain to the wire with jump rings. 

3. Gather together the four lose ends of chain and attach together 

with another jump ring or with a piece of wire and close. 

To decorate your jar with beads:

4. Now cut another long piece of thinner, 26g wire (long enough to wrap around 

the neck of the jar a few times) and do the same thing you did before, wrap the wire 

around the neck of the jar, but this time, first secure the beginning of your wire 

to the wire that you already wrapped around the jar. Now add beads to 

the wire as you go along. 

I strung about 4 to 5 inches of beads and then stopped and wrapped my wire 

around the existing wire to secure it, then I continued, adding another 5 inches 

or so of beads, then again stopped and wrapped the wire to secure it, then added

 more beads, and so on. When you get to the end of the wire, wrap it around 

the wraps and tuck in any pointy ends with a pair of pliers.

5. You can also use additional pieces of wire or headpins to 

create beaded drops and attach those to your jar. 

6. Now attach your chain hangers as described above in step 2.

That's it! Hang in a sunny window. 

You can use this as a candle holder, but do not put the candle directly 

into the jar. Instead, place a candle inside a glass votive and then place 

the votive inside the jar. Not made for holding food or water unless you

use some type of liner inside the jar. 

This was my inspiration photo...

What do you think?



This DIY copyright Laura Beth Love 2013



Check out my new Boho Chic jewelry book!

Colored Glass Mason Jar Tutorial

What could be prettier than colored glass? 

With this tutorial, I'll show you how to easily turn any

ordinary glass jar into a colorful work of art with just three

 supplies that are available at your local craft store.  

Ready? Let's go!

First, gather your supplies.  

Here is what you will need:

Glass jars. Any size or type will do.

 The jar above is an 8 oz. standard jelly jar. 

The jar below is a larger standard shaped canning jar. 

Make sure your jar is clean and dry!

 

Food coloring. I used gel icing color from Wilton in Rose, Teal, and Violet. 

Mod Podge Gloss

Note: You can use Mod Podge Matte for this project but be advised 

that once it dries the results will be semi-transparent, or cloudy. 

Use the Mod Podge Gloss for a transparent, stained glass look. 

 

A paper plate or large piece of waxed paper.   Craft sticks for mixing your mixture.

Directions for coloring the jars: 

Note: The amount of Mod Podge that you use will depend on the size of your jar. 

The directions below are for a standard medium-sized (8oz) jelly jar.

1. Pour about 4 - 6 Tablespoons of Mod Podge Gloss into your jar and using a craft stick, 

mix in a small amount of food coloring, adding more food coloring until desired 

shade of color is achieved. I used about 1/8 teaspoon of food color in an 8 oz. jar. 

Mix well, until the food coloring and Mod Podge are completely combined. 

Be careful not to mix so vigorously that you create air bubbles. Easy does it!  

2. Your mixture will be opaque while it is wet, but will dry transparent. 

3. Once mixture is completely combined, remove the craft stick and slowly roll 

the jar with your hands to distribute the mixture over the entire inside of the jar. 

Do not use your craft stick or a paintbrush to help spread the mixture. 

Allow gravity to do all the work. 

4. Once the inside of the jar is completely coated, pour out the excess mixture 

and wipe away any drips around the mouth of your jar. Turn the jar upside down 

and onto a paper plate or piece of waxed paper to allow any remaining mixture 

to drain from the jar. 

5. Once the excess is drained from the jar (I drained mine for about an hour), 

turn the jar right-side up and set aside to dry. Drying time varies depending 

on your room temperature. I worked next to a hot pellet stove, so my jars 

dried in about 4-6 hours. In normal  or damp conditions, it could take 24-48 

hours for your jar to completely dry. 

Finished jar made with teal coloring

Didn't like your results? Simply soak the jar in warm water
to remove the color, wash the jar and try again! 

Use jar as a candle holder by inserting a glass votive with a candle inside the jar 
(do not put candle directly inside the jar.)  Because the color is water-soluble, you 
can only use this as a vase if you insert a liner. 

 

Finished jar made with violet and rose coloring 
(above and below)

The dark areas on the jar above were still drying.

Finished jar made with rose coloring 

Wait! Come back!
Be sure to check back soon for the second part of this post, 

Bohemian Beaded Mason Jar Tutorial, 

where I'll show you how to decorate your jar with wire and beads!

What do you think?

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Salvaged Wood & Pallet Potting Benches

A potting bench or potting station is the perfect spring project for your garden, porch, or garden shed, and right now is the perfect time to start planning and collecting the wood 

and other materials you will need to create your very own potting bench creation! 

You can use all different types of  salvaged and reclaimed materials to create a potting 
bench. Old doors, wood shipping pallets, salvaged wood, sections of fencing, and even old sinks and dressers can be incorporated into a potting bench! Your only limit is your own imagination!  Check out these wonderful potting benches and maybe you'll be inspired to plan and make your own!

I love a potting bench with an old sink added! by Lori J via Hometalk

This bench cost only $1 to make! by excessfroufrou via Gardenweb

Outdoor kid-sized mud bar doubles as a play kitchen and as a mini potting bench. Love it! 
Here's the DIY

Made from an old door and enameled table top by jeannespines via Gardenweb

Sink-turned potting bench by Our Fairfield Home & Garden

This pretty bench was made from recycled finds by kirkus via Gardenweb

Potting benches made from old doors and shutters from Green Oak Antiques

pallet potting bench by Bruce from thedesignpallet.com

Potting bench made from an old door by Doreen at Hymns and Verses

Wood pallet potting bench from Hometalk

Old dresser-turned potting bench from Rockin' B Antiques

Potting bench made from wood pallets, a window, and an old sink

I love the style of this wide potting bench 

Salvaged wood potting bench by Becky at Beyond The Picket Fence

Potting bench made from an old door by Doris Stratton via Robo Margo

Potting bench by Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures

Potting benches by LollieLandDesigns via Etsy

DIY potting bench project by Centsational Girl

Pretty potting bench! from Country Cottage Living (above and below)

Pallet garden work bench workstation by I've Only Got A Minute




DIY potting bench with step by step instructions from BHG

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