DIY vintage mason jars

One of my favorite things about the interweb is finding fun new craft projects and ideas. I came across this idea on Etsy when searching for home decor and figured I could easily find a way to do it myself.

I got the kiddo in the car and bee-lined for Hobby Lobby, where I picked up the following items to complete the project:

Ball Jar Mouth Pint Jars with Lids and Bands, Regular, Set of 12 Acrylic Paint (I am using DecoArt American & Folk Art)
Spray Paint Clear Gloss 
Sponge Brushes 

You will also need sandpaper (which I already had on hand) and some paper to protect your surface while the jars dry.

To begin, make sure your jars are clean and dry. 

I applied the paint directly onto my sponge brushes and then painted onto the outside of the mason jars. You will need to allow time to dry between coats. Depending on the type of paint you are using this can take anywhere from 40-60 minutes. I got a little too excited and only waited 30 on one of the jars and smudged the paint everywhere which meant starting all over. So learn from my mistake & be patient folks.

They should look a little something like ^that.

I recommend doing at least 2, maybe even 3 coats of paint on the jars. You want it to look solid and not stripey. Allow to dry overnight.

In the AM, grab your cup of joe, and get to sanding!

I used whatever sandpaper I had in my messuvahgarage so I'm not sure on the exact grit but I'm sure you can use any.

The fun part about this is that you can't really mess up! I lightly went over the jar marking up any areas I felt I wanted to distress a bit, namely the words and areas of the lid. 

Make sure any paint residue is cleaned off the jar and then spray with the clear gloss. Please do not do this inside! This stuff seriously stinks. So go outside, grab a mask or somethin' and get to sprayin. You only need to go over it once to let it all set & be protected.

Finished product should look a little somethin like this.. But the great thing about this project is that it doesnt need to be exact and you can do it however you'd like.

I then added a few faux flower type things from Hobby Lobby and set them up on my mantel. 

These are fun for any season, as you can change up the colors and the flowers to go with whatever decor you would like.

I would love to see your finished projects! And please feel free to comment below if you have any questions. Enjoy!

Linking up with Annie & Natalie this week during Thoughts for Thursday.