I am obsessed with painted glass bottles and jars. I have seen so many beautiful projects lately; simple spray painted bottles, white paint inside of the glass resulting in a milk glass effect and Mod Podge and blue food coloring inside of the glass which makes beautiful sea glass.
I decided to try to make cranberry glass. True cranberry glass is an art and the glass is typically hand blown. My cranberry glass is made from everyday jars.

- 2 Tbsp of Gloss Lustre Mod Podge
- 1-2 tsp water
- 2 drops blue food coloring
- 3 drops red food coloring

Mix your ingredients and pour into your jar. Swirl the mixture around and continue swirling as you pour the mixture out. Make sure the entire inside of the jar is coated. Most of the tutorials now say to place your jar upside down on newspaper or wax paper and to wipe the opening of the jar every now and then. I found that the Mod Podge pools and makes a huge messy clump around the top of the jar. I came up with these drying racks made out of strawberry baskets.

Note the color of the Mod Podge – as it dries it becomes darker and translucent. I used varying amounts of food color to get the three different colors on my jars.

I embellished the jars because the color wasn’t quite even around the neck of the jar where the Mod Podge dried thicker.

The jars are purely decorative. Because Mod Podge is waterbase, you can’t fill these with water and use them as vases.
Tips: I’ve tried this project a few times and here’s what I’ve learned.
1. Some tutorials say you can use white glue but I found that the Mod Podge works better.
2. The more water you add the more translucent your result will be. Too much water and the glass will not coat evenly.
3. Make sure the inside of the jar is very clean or the Mod Podge will not adhere correctly.
4. Be patient – don’t touch the inside before it’s completely dry. Trust me on this…

And if you’re not happy with your results, soak your jars in water and start over.
Hope to see you tomorrow for The Inspiration Board Link Party.
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This project is linked at the following:




Whipperberry
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These look really great. I can't wait to give it a go myself :)
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, I love the variation of color and the embellishments you chose:)!
ReplyDeleteBeth
Very pretty! I need to try this.
ReplyDeleteThese are just beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThose look so elegant!
ReplyDeleteThe color is beautiful, I like the embellishments too!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I have to add these to pinterest too! and it was so great seeing at Creative Bloggers' Party and Hop!
ReplyDeletecreativecarmella.blogspot.com
very pretty! I've seen tutorials and even wrote up my own method using alcohol ink - but I haven't seen this color yet, and it's beautiful.
ReplyDeletegorgeous! and thanks so much for the advice on this one! it seems that all the projects involving painting the inside of glass jars are decorative only, even the ones apparently using oil based paints are also not appropriate for use with water......of course, you can always put a smaller jar inside and fill that with water! thanks for sharing on Craft Schooling sunday!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty! You could even do this with old vases right?
ReplyDeletevery pretty! such an easy special occasion (or seasonal - I'm thinking Christmas!) accessory. Yours are so pretty. And goodness knows I've got plenty of jars :)
ReplyDeleteThis is my kind of project - impermanent! Thanks for the great tips!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I've done this but with only blue food coloring and modge podge to create the vintage mason jar look :) will have to try with the pink! Also, you can paint it on the exterior in order to be able to use as vases with water...however, it doesn't look as neat and even as it does with your method! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://sweetsongbirdofmine.blogspot.com/
I've been admiring the jars but this is the 1st tutorial I've actually read. You make it sound so easy & the jars are beautiful!
ReplyDelete-caroline @ c.w.frosting
These are absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHow very clever-getting the look without the price!
ReplyDeleteHope you will please drop by and enter my $50 Overstock.com Gift Card Giveaway!! Hometalk has said if I get 500 entries, they will increase the Gift Card to $100.
Honey
They are beautiful! I would like to feature them on my "Friday Found" post, with a link and a wink back to you of course. Let me know if that's okay with you!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Tasha
www.frugaliciousme.com
Jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Pinned, stumbled, tweeted, etc...
ReplyDeleteThese are so pretty! I love the cranberry color! So far, I have only seen blue and milky painted jars. What a neat idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the diy color jars! I'm stopping by from the Tip Me Tuesday party. I would love for you to link this up to My Favorite Things party! It's going on all week,
ReplyDelete& be sure to check out my giveaway too!
Thanks
~Iffy~
www.stayathomenation.blogspot.com
Beautiful! Thanks for the tips on what you observed doing this project.
ReplyDeletePinned on pinterest. :)
Cheers,
Tracy Screaming Sardine
I love it
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try this thanks for telling us how to get the effect cranberry glass done
Janice
Cute, cute, cute. Love the color.
ReplyDeleteWhat awesome jars those are, and something that can be customized to any color scheme too!
ReplyDeleteNo way. Mod Podge and food coloring? What a great way to reinvent and re-purpose jars.
ReplyDeleteThis is the prettiest version of this I've ever seen! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! I love how the different colors turned out. I might have to give this a try.
ReplyDeleteI'm so honored that you chose to join the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop. Thank you for adding this special masterpiece to rock my party :)
ReplyDeleteThey're going to look great in my sunny kitchen window!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! and thanks for all the tips, Carolyn! I haven't tried this technique yet, but I'm lovin' it!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I'm visiting from New Nostalgia! I'd love for you to share this with my {re}create into something new blog party too at http://notsosimplehousewife.blogspot.com/2011/07/recreate-into-something-new-3.html
ReplyDeleteHope to see you at my place soon!
Kaitlin-The Not So Simple Housewife
http://notsosimplehousewife.blogspot.com
Oh how neat!! I love these jars and love how simple it can be to create this look! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful. Thanks for the great idea.
ReplyDeleteRhonda @ The Messy Roost
messyroost.blogspot.com
Carolyn, these turned out beautiful!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for linking this up to {nifty thrifty sunday} last week! I will feature them tomorrow!!
xoxo,
Vanessa
I am always looking for new ways to use glass jars and I haven't seen the Mod Podge method. Definitely have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing at this week's BFF Link Party.
ReplyDeleteThis is GENIOUS! I can't wait to make a bunch, thank you! Would love to have you link to my party this weekend too! http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/07/vip-party-21.html
ReplyDeleteThese look fantastic! Thanks for the tutorial, I would have never thought to do that.
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous results from such a simple technique. Incredible! Definitely a must-try for me!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, you bring a quality and style to "A Little Birdie Told Me..." that kicks the whole party up a few notches! Many, many thanks!
Jenn
Ingenious !!!!!
ReplyDeleteFeatured this lovely idea today in my 'Walk Around Blog Land.' http://estherscardcreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/walk-around-blog-land-9.html?showComment=1312459237792#c1832767651519879124
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea, thnaks for sharing!
ReplyDeletelovely cranberry glass gift..i really like this..this gift will look awesome.. thanks for this post..
ReplyDeleteDo you think that if I put a layer of sand in the bottom, I could put tea lights in them? They are so lovely.
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I'm not sure you could use tea lights in these because I don't know how the Mod Podge would react to the heat. You could always get those little battery operated tea lights.
FYI - your profile is set to "no reply - comments" so I'm answering you here. If you would like to receive email responses to comments, you would need to change your profile settings. Thanks again. Good luck with the jars.
carolyn - homework
Found this via Pinterest. Been looking for a way to do just this idea. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'd love for you to add it to my weekly blog party, Thrifty Thursdays.
These are lovely and I'm trying them now. How long is the drying process?
ReplyDeleteMary :)
Thanks for the great project and additional tips too. =)
ReplyDeleteCould you do the outside, by just dipping the jar into the solution?
ReplyDeleteWondering if you could paint the jar on the outside so that you could still use the jar for a vase or put snacks on the inside? I thought maybe that you could do it with a sponge paint brush.
ReplyDeleteSo I started this project about 4 days ago. Using the proportions of food colouring in this blog post I realized mine were going to be really purple, so I did another coat which I thought was much redder. They are finally drying, hopefully will be fully dry tomorrow (day 5)and they are quite pale and still very much more purple than cranberry. Will try this again after xmas with WAY more red and just a tiny drop of blue and see what I get. I was not expecting them to take so many days to dry.
ReplyDeleteHow is this method when the glass is going to be outside with the weathering?
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will hold up to outside conditions. Any moisture will not be kind to the Mod Podge since it's water soluble. Best to keep these indoors.
DeleteCute! Love the colors! Found this on Pinterest!
ReplyDeleteI love this!! :)
ReplyDeleteFinally tried this in a light brown color! Tricky tricky to get mostly right! Thanks again for sharing =) xo
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn I'm now a follower, just found your blog tonight. I am so envious of your "real" cranberry" glass jars. I can hardly wait to try to make the "faux" ones. You have a great blog and I'll look forward to coming back many times to see what fantastic projects you've been making. Happy days to you.
ReplyDeleteHi! I tried this yesterday afternoon and after 24 hours, the solution is still not dry. I have read other tutorials that have said to put the jars in the oven for about 30 minutes. So, I put mine in the oven about 15 minutes ago, but now I'm nervous they will come out TOO translucent. Guess we'll see!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn for linking up to the Best of Your Best at Miss Information, I especially love your drying racks!
ReplyDeleteSo simple, wish I would of thought of that! So many new crafts so little time :) Laura from Real Momma stopping by to say thanks for linking up in the Best of Your Best Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a neat idea. I like how easy it is too! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful.... Thank you so much! Making the for a wedding. La vie en rose!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove them! Going to try it right now!!! Very clever idea!
ReplyDeleteLove love love this!!! This is the first time I've seen that you could make these yourself. You've done a fantastic job. I'm sure if I tried they wouldn't look half as good.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this idea!! Do you think it would be okay to light a tea light candle inside?
ReplyDeleteYour way of describing everything in this article is genuinely good,
ReplyDeleteevery one be capable of easily understand it, Thanks
a lot.
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ReplyDeleteThis is the great art to use these jars in such a way.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Patent Agent
How about outdoor lights made inside? Will it get too hot?
ReplyDeleteHi,I'm not sure what type of outdoor light you mean but I think any type of light may be too hot for this.
DeleteNice article! I wonder where can get one of these jars? I came across this great website for Homework Help. Just thought to share..
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try this. Great idea. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn:
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful project. I love it and I will try this next week. I painted them inside with Lowe's sample paint. messy but lovely, you are right, the top is messy so the lace or chain is a good idea.
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