Saturday, April 6, 2013

Painted Ball Jar Tutorial

For several years now I have had a fascination with Ball jars. I don't know what the attraction really is since I have never canned in my life! I just find them so interesting...with all their vintage appeal and usefulness.

Well, as you all know I have been painting them recently...I have posted about it a couple times and I promise this should be the last time! As I was painting my last couple jars I decided to do a brief tutorial..since it is so easy and even kids could do it!


First of all I gather my supplies...


I add a bit of Plaster of Paris mixed with water to almost any paint. I mix just enough to use on my project in a small bowl.

I start out by painting the bottoms of the jars and then let them dry.


You can speed up drying with a hair dryer if you are in a hurry.

This is the first coat


I usually put on 2 coats with a look like this (below)
 
 
On the red jar I used my Mother's paint sample jar from when she painted her kitchen. It is a semi-gloss. I discovered that I always use flat paint for a reason--the semi-gloss was a lot harder for me to work with.

I use regular sand paper to sand around the jar details. You could use a sanding block or whatever you prefer. I found the semi gloss chipped off a little easier than I like. Possibly I should have added more Plaster of Paris to it. The blue acrylic paint worked beautifully.


After sanding I added a piece of torn fabric and I painted a little daisy on it for fun. For those of you more talented you could paint something really cute on it.

I made this one for my Mom...filled with some white daffodils and other flowers from my garden. It looks so cute in her kitchen.


I added some torn eyelet to the handle on the jar I made for me...and another little daisy :)


I have seen tutorials online where people paint brown underneath and then a color on top. Then they sand down to let the brown show. I don't do it that way--I like the glass to show thru. I have also seen some people spray paint them--something I may try as spray paint is so easy to use.

I found this image on Facebook that shows you how to tell how old your Ball jars are. I find this so interesting!


Also, did you know there are some new blue Ball jars now coming out for the 100th anniversary Ball Heritage collection celebration? I want to get a case for sure. I know you can get them at Ace Hardware for $10.99 for a case of six. 

I would never paint a blue jar...love the blue!

I am off to work on pulling some weeds in the yard--though I may get a little wet the weeds are extra easy to pull right now!


I am delighted with everything blooming in my yard...including my white lilacs. Yay!

Thanks for visiting!

23 comments:

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

I love them! The red one is so darling.

Blessings,
Amy Jo

Peggy said...

Sandy - I love these - thanks for sharing the how to! So pretty!
Peggy

Lucille said...

Sandy, they are so cute. It seems that spring comes early where you are. Your flowers are lovely!

Melanie said...

I have got to do this! The red one is so cute, I love it!!!

Junkchiccottage said...

Thanks for Sharing Sandy. I love the light blue one so pretty.
Kris

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Thanks so much for the tutorial. I love how your jars turned out! Thanks for the heads up about those jars at Ace. I might have to go and check them out. Also, that is super interesting about dating Ball Jars....very cool! xo

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Thank you for sharing this! I love these and want to do some myself.

I am also off to the closest Ace to find me some blue jars, my all time fav as well.

It's kinda like chalk paint by adding the plaster.

So stinkin Cute! They look so pretty with flowers in them.

~Blessings K.Marie

Heirloom treasures said...

Thank you Sandy,that is so easy to follow. We haven't got ball jars,but do have Mason ones. A must try I think. Spent a lovely afternoon at Ikea today. :)

Grandma Carolee said...

Sandy, I love the little red jar and flowers you brought to me. It is perfect in my kitchen! I'm so thankful that you and Chantel came over and fixed my computer. I'll look for more jars when I garage sale.

Alicia said...

¡Como me gustan estos frascos¡ te quedan genial.
En EspaƱa no encontramos el yeso de Paris.
Un abrazo.

Anne said...

Thank you for sharing this tutorial! I adore them both!
xx
Anne

Barbara Jean said...

Just too too cute!!

thanks for how to.

blessings
barb

Fran said...

I'm going to try this in white. Do you know if you can store food in them once you paint it? I use ball glass jars for all my bulk and dry foods. Thanks for the idea. Oh, and I'm in love with your white daffodils!! Now I need to get some for next spring.

Art and Sand said...

I think even I can do this. And, I know I have some jars in the attic that my husband splattered paint on already. He used them to store his brushes -oil painter.

I am doing some paint projects tonight so I will add this to the list.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Diane said...

Love the pretty red and blue ball jars you painted. Thanks for the tutorial and for sharing the history of these jars. I definitely need to get some of these!

Cottage and Broome said...

I love your painted Ball jars, so pretty. I like the blue one with the flat paint, it looks more vintage. Thanks for sharing, Laura

Blue Lavender said...

hi Sandy
Very interesting post, i love the paint on your Ball jars. Thanks for sharing this.
I also have 3 Ball jars I bought in an antique store, but mine have the date on them, July 14, 1908 and are blue, I will leave them as they are, but have some that I bought 2 years ago and those I'd love to paint them as yours.
Hugs

must love junk said...

Oh, I LOVE the blue one-so cute!!
Susan

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Love these, especially the last one!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Thank you! They are adorable and I am going to save the FB page to age the jars. Love that blue is coming out again!

Carol

Rebecca Nelson said...

I'm sooo doing this...LOVE THOSE JARS and thank you for sharing OH TALENTED ONE!

xoxoRebecca

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

So pretty~ Thanks for linking up at Feathered Nest Friday!

farmhouse-story said...

so cute, sandy! love the red one, esp. thanks for sharing the interesting chart--gotta go look up my old jars:)