Giltter Jars (Perfect for Fourth of July)

Here is a super simple craft for those of you that might be planning 4th of July parties.  Even better, this could not be cheaper and I got almost all the stuff I needed for the project at the Dollar Store!

This is a cute way to display Citronella or votive candles, utensils or straws or I will probably use mine as mini vases for little white or red flowers.

Here is what I did to make these guys (and my 4 year old helped so this really is very easy).

What you need:

• Painter’s tape (optional)
• Glass jars or votive holders (use empty ones you have on hand or they sell assorted sizes at the Dollar Store)
• Glitter (my Dollar Store has 3pks for $1.00)
• Mod Podge* or Glitter Glue (DIY recipe for Mod Podge below)

The one on the far left was the simplest and you can whip those guys out in all sorts of colors in just minutes.  The other two were a teeny more complicated.

:::White jar:

I used a paint brush to slather glitter glue all over the bottom of the jar.  Nothing fancy here, I did this totally freehand (I used Martha Stewart Glitter Glue) but Mod Podge or DIY Mod Podge* also works.

Dump your glitter all around, catching the extra on a plain sheet of paper.  Fold the paper and you can dump the excess glitter right back into the bottle.  I used the Martha Stewart Fine Glitter in white for that one.  (Get it at Michael’s for $4 and use a 40-50% off coupon.)

This is a little more expensive for the fine glitter but I found it is much less fragile then the course glitter that will come off if you aren’t careful.

::Star Jar.

The Star Jar requires a few more steps but it is still pretty simple to do. You can select any shapes or designs you want here- I just choose a star.

• Google an image that you like (stars, flags etc..) and print it out
• I used an exacto knife to cut the image into a sheet of cardstock to make a template
• I taped the template onto the jar randomly and filled  the inside with glue.  My Martha Stewart glitter glue has a fine tip on the end which made it very easy.
• Remove the template and sprinkle with glitter.
• Continue the same process all around the jar taking care not to smear any prior stars.
• Fold paper and place excess glitter right back in your jar.
• And then at the bottom I just did a freehand circle of blue.

::Striped Jar.

Since I only used two colors this jar was very simple.  I wanted a clean line so I decided to use painters tape.

• I first taped around the top to get an even line
• Next I added a second piece of tape, using the first piece of tape as a guide to keep things nice and straight.
• I also put tape around the very bottom just to keep the bottom looking clean.
• Fill in the exposed glass with glitter glue.  Dump your glitter on top.
• Tap to shake off excess glitter.

Just wait a little bit for the glue to dry and pull that painters tape off.  I used a paint brush to smear a second color of glitter glue around the jar.  This was totally freehand.

Dump your second color of glitter on the bottom and shake off excess.

For this I used the course glitter that is super cheap at the Dollar Store.  The course glitter is a little more delicate and really shouldn’t be handled very much.

Now you are all done- they should dry pretty quickly and you are ready to party!

If you go with a Gold, Silver or White color palate instead of the red, white and blue you can reuse these guys over and over and over.  I know for sure I will pull the white one out for Christmas and I actually made a pink glitter one that I am using to hold pencils on my desk right now.

*To make your own Mod Podge (which can be a little expensive) just dump equal parts white Elmer’s Glue and water into a jar. Shake like crazy. Now go count all that money you just saved.