Seems like everyone’s doing the mason jar things nowadays. If you’re like us, you’re scrounging for them on Craigslist, trying to see just how cheap you can get them for. We’ve gotten 171 for $.50 each… and we need two more cases.
We’re using them for our guests’ drinking glasses — but wanted to do a special little something for our bridal party, to set them apart a bit.
Enter this picture from Emmaline Bride:
So, I figured I’d share my trials and tribulations — along with my version of this project — with you guys as a quick little DIY tutorial!
First, here’s what you’ll need:
- Wide mouthed Mason Jars (easiest for your guests to drink out of)
- Scotch Blue painter’s tape
- A Pencil
- An X-Acto Knife
- Chalkboard paint (not pictured… it was in the garage and I was too lazy to venture downstairs for the picture)
- Latex gloves (something I didn’t use, please learn from my mistakes)
So, first, what you’re gona do is tape up your mason jar. You’re going to want to put the tape on the blank side of the jar (where there isn’t any raised text). You may not need two strips of tape – it depends on the shape you want to put on the jar.
Next, go ahead and draw (or trace — you can print something from the internet — if you’d like) with your pencil, the shape that you want on your mason jar. Draw it straight onto the tape, then grab your X-Acto knife.
Cut along your traced or drawn lines… don’t worry, it won’t mess up the glass. Once you’ve cut along the lines, peel the inside of the shape off the jar.
These are our glasses for the wedding… they’re quart-sized (everyone else gets pints… haha).
Once you have your mason jars taped, traced, cut out and peeled — take ‘em outside, where you’re going to meet up with your friend, Chalkboard Paint. I used Krylon Chalkboard Spray paint… I wouldn’t use it again. It did it’s job but it was MESSY for such a small project. I definitely recommend using regular paint and a sponge brush.
If you DO decide to use spray paint, pull out some gloves and follow these rules:
- Tilt the jar away from you
- Spray the paint over the bend of the jar (so that extra spray doesn’t muck up the un-taped parts of the jar)
- Keep a paper towel or wipe of some sort handy to clean drips that may come off the paint and onto the naked jar
Whether you use paint or spray paint, go ahead and paint them all… then set them out to dry. 2ish hours will do (I did two coats), but make sure you wait at least 24 to touch them with chalk.
Once they’re all dry, go ahead and peel off the rest of the tape…
And Voi-la!
Now. When it comes time to write your guests’ names on these babies (which I haven’t gotten to yet)… here are a couple pointers:
- You need to wait for the paint to dry for 24 hours before writing on it… or it won’t look right
- If you want it to really look like a chalkboard, wait 24 hours then rub the chalk board area with the side of a piece of chalk and erase with a paper towel
- For cleaner lines, use a chalk pen… not actual chalk (it won’t rub off like chalk will)
Happy crafting, lovelies!! xo
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
How fun! I didn’t even known chalkboard paint existed!
This is such a fun idea! I love the personal touch to make the bridal party feel special! Cute!
I totally skip important steps like wearing gloves when doing craft projects. Hilarious.
super creative (and smart!)
i love chalkboard paint! this is such a cute idea. i’m always turning my hands colors for days because i always think i can get away without using gloves. next time i’ll wear them lol
Looks great! We’re doing something really similiar for our wedding – nice to see you tutorial and advice before undertaking them myself.
What a fun idea! I just love chalkboard paint – it always makes for a great DIY
I love your mustaches and lips! Very cute DIY!
I have been thinking about doing this as a favor for my guests as well. It’s amazing how you think your idea is original and then it is all over the place. I guess great minds think alike. Your jars look great.
My question for you though, did the paint ever come off? Were you able to wash them after wards, and if so, by hand or could they go in the dishwasher?
All but two of the painted ones were taken home by our bridal party. I haven’t dishwashed ours yet… not sure if I will. The paint and chalk pen didn’t come off on their own while being used, but if I wanted to, it would have been easy enough to scratch off once the jar started sweating.
I tried this last night with the chalkboard paint in the jar and it when I went to pull off the tape the next day the paint came with it. Hoping the spray paint works better. Any tips?
That’s odd! I used the spray paint, and while it was a pain to spray and keep neat, it definitely didn’t come off with the tape. How did you apply the paint-on paint? I’d just advise that you let it dry 100% and make sure the jars are really clean, you shouldn’t have a problem!
GOOD LUCK!
Once this is done are they dishwasher safe or would the paint come off? and If i used the chalk pen would that also come off with the dish washer as well
Hey Courtaney -
I don’t think they’d be dishwasher safe. I know for a fact the chalk pen won’t be … you can wipe it off the chalkboard paint with a damp paper towel. I’d imagine to try to make them dishwasher safe, you’d possibly have to rough up the glass a bit and look into a waterproof paint. Good luck!
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