DIY Blue Mason Jars

Happy Wednesday, friends! I know you’ve seen them everywhere…..blue mason jars! I think its the only way to make a delectable mason jar even more scrumptious! ha! I love how pretty tinted vintage jars are, but they aren’t cheap. seriously. And the DIY’s that I’ve seen that turn regular jars into colored ones, are only a temporary fix. Mod Podge peels off after washing them.  So I went on a quest to find a permanent solution to tint my fave glass jars to lovely shades of blue and turquoise……

blue mason jars

  You probably remember this image from yesterday’s Flower Lid tutorial. Well, I tinted that Mason Jar with a turquoise glass enamel made by DecoArt. Its called Crystal Gloss Enamels. Its a transparent glass paint that is permanent and durable. Which, if you want to wash your jars, this is crucial! Here’s how I did it.

How to Permanently Tint a Mason Jar

DIY tinted mason jars

  1. All you need is a sponge brush and a transparent glass paint. I used Crystal Gloss Enamels in turquoise for this particular jar.
  2. Simply paint the inside of the jar, starting at the bottom with long event brush strokes. Do the neck of the bottle last. I did one medium coat of paint. If you want a darker tint, do a second or third coat of paint.
  3. Allow to dry upside down on a scrap piece of paper to let any excess paint drain out. I didn’t have much excess, so after about 30 minutes, I turned it right side up and let it finish drying.
  4. To set your paint, allow it to dry for 48 hours. Then bake for 30 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit in a non-preheated oven. {important detail} Then allow your jar to cool in the oven.

turquoise mason jar

I added a flower frog lid to the top of this one so I could arrange fresh flowers in it. {check out my tutorial for DIY Flower Lids here}

So that’s how to permanently tint a Mason Jar. Think of all the fun colors you could do! These make awesome gifts! Think Mother’s Day, house warming, birthdays, and wedding gifts. Speaking of weddings, this is a great project for that DIY Bride!

happy crafting,

linda

disclosure: i received free product from DecoArt to try.

Linda
Hi! I'm Linda, the craft addict behind Craftaholics Anonymous®, a craft blog. Crafting is cheaper than therapy, right? When I'm not DIYing something, I can be found taxiing around our 4 crazy kids or working out. Or shoe shopping... because you can never have too many shoes! Happy crafting! ♥
Linda
Linda

Latest posts by Linda (see all)

Join the Conversation

Comments

  1. 1
    Paula

    My grandfather passed away and left over 200 mason jars to me. Now I know what I am going to do with some of them.

    1. 1.1

      Hi Paula,
      Your grandfather left you over 200 mason jars? Wow! I’m jealous, LOL. If you’re not sure what to do with them, get online and check out the many things you can do with them. There are a TON of things to do with mason jars, Paula. I usually go to ask.com, but there are other sites to use, including this one. Good luck and have fun creating your many different designs/mason jars! (Hey, if you want to get rid of them, send them my way, will ya? Hahahah……) Have a good day!

  2. 2

    Thanks for sharing this great idea and the supplies that you used to achieve it. I have already enjoyed your post on how to make the flower frog lid and now I know how to make the blue jar to go with it thanks to you.

  3. 3
    Kristen

    Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing this great tutorial!

  4. 4

    The blue really does make those red flowers POP.
    Thanks for the tutorial. :-)

  5. 6
    Diane

    After painting the jars and baking them, are they safe for food storage? And are they washable?

    1. 6.1

      Hi Diane,
      Yes, you can wash them. {not sure if they’d be dishwasher safe though, so I’d recommend hand washing} I’ll email DecoArt and ask them about the food storage. The label did not say, so I’m not sure. I’ll let you know what I find out!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

      1. Andrea

        I would love to know if they are safe for food/drinking out of as well. I’d love to do this on jars I use for drinking, please let us know what you find out!
        Andrea

    2. 6.2

      Hi Diane,
      No, they are not safe for food storage and hand washing is recommended.
      thanks!
      linda

      1. Aurora

        If I painted them on the outside would it be safe to can with them?

        1. Yes, if you painted the outside, it should be fine. Just don’t want the paint to come in contact with the food :)

  6. 7

    this is too cool..I love the lid tutorial as well;)

  7. 8
    kellie

    Thanks so much for the tutorial! Can’t wait to try it :)

  8. 9
    Melissa

    Awesome post, awesome site! I looked on DecoArt’s site, but didn’t see an answer to this: do you happen to know if this product is safe to use to tint votive holders ( with candles burning inside them :) ?

    Thanks!

    1. 9.1

      Hi Melissa,
      For votive, you’d probably want to paint the outside of the glass to keep it away from the flame. Other than that, you should be good to go!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

      1. lisa rappleyea

        I would like to make lights out my jars. Is this glaze safe for that. I would assume I would need to paint the outside of the jar.

  9. 10

    This is *exactly* what I have been searching for a way to do. Thank you! Do you happen to know how scratch resistant it is?

    1. 10.1

      Hi Sparrow,
      Awesome! They’re pretty good, especially since the paint is on the inside. When you wash them, the paint will be softer until its dry again, so be careful until it re-dries.
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  10. 11

    Jus Pinned & twitted about the tinting. I have some paint , what color does’nt matter really. Thanks griend for thinking for us. HAPPY EASTER to you and your lovely family.

  11. 12

    I’ve been looking for a permanent solution as I want to use some in the garden. I never thought to check the craft paint aisle. Thanks!

  12. 13
    Bonnie

    Wow, I found a tinted Mason jar with frog lid in a boutique home decor store last summer and couldn’t resist. I’m ashamed to say how much it cost except to say it was plenty!! Thanks to this wonderful tutorial, I’ll be making more of my own now!

  13. 14

    This looks so much easier than the modpodge method I tried! Thanks for sharing Linda!

  14. 15
    Missy Sarver

    Can you drink out of the jars after you tint them? I want to use them as water glasses. Thanks!

    1. 15.1

      Hi Missy,
      I asked DecoArt about this {the makers of the glass paint} and they said it is not food safe :( darn it!!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  15. 16
    Mindy C.

    I am wondering where you got the paint. I have searched a couple of stores and found something similar, but it didn’t end up being transparent.

    1. 16.1

      My Michaels carries it. I think most Joanns, Hobby Lobby’s, and Michaels carry it, but I’ll check with their rep.
      thanks for stopping by, Mindy!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  16. 17
    Tiffany

    I’m trying to figure out how I could do this with bottles. I have a wine bottle tree and want to add some colorful bottles but they are so expensive to purchase. Any thoughts?

  17. 18
    Nick Radan

    I have tried brushing on, mixing the paint with a glazing compound, but it goes on very light and appears to be streaky. I have not tried the thinner or tried brushing the paint on as is, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

    1. 18.1

      Hi Nick,
      Try doing 2-3 thin coats. That helps with the streaks and makes the color darker.
      hope that helps!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  18. 19
    Parker

    Was the sponge you used wet? My first attempt wasn’t even close to this look….the paint is much too thick. Any ideas?

    1. 19.1

      Hi Parker,
      No, it was not wet. What paint did you use? Did you do 1 or 2 coats?
      thanks,
      Linda

      1. Parker

        I used the same paint pictured here (even took the pic to the store!) I wasn’t able to thin the paint enough to create a clear-ish coat. My experimental jars are drying now, and the streaks are becoming more pronounced :(

  19. 20

    Great idea!!! thanks for sharing!!

  20. 21
    Adelle

    Is the tint flammable? I would like to do this for a wedding with candles in the jar…

    1. 21.1

      Hi Adelle,
      Yes, the paint my be flamable, so you’d want to paint the outside of the mason jar to keep the paint away from the open flame :)
      happy crafting,
      linda

  21. 22
    Pamela

    1st Thanks for the tinting help, question – If these were painted on the exterior of the jar instead of the inside after baking could they be safe for drinking? Trying to find a way to add color while still being able to use them for drinking. Thanks again.

    1. 22.1

      Hi Pamela,
      Thanks for stopping by! Yes, if you painted the outside {and avoid where you’d put your mouth}, you could use them for drinking. Let me know if you have any other questions!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  22. 23
    Kate

    A non preheated oven? I wanna make these for my wedding so much cheaper than the antique jars. “something blue” :) I’m not much of a crafter so that was the only thing I didn’t understand in your instructions. Thank!

    1. 23.1

      Hi Kates,
      Yes, you want to put them into a cold oven and then turn it on to the correct temperature. That way your glass won’t break from a drastic change in temperature :) Let me know if you have any more questions!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  23. 24
    margie adams

    I love the tinted mason jars. For a family party this summer I drilled holes in the lids and bought hard plastic straws from Hobby Lobby. How much prettier if I’d painted them. Using your method and painting the outside would I need to bake them in the oven to permanently set the paint?
    Thanks,
    Margie

    1. 24.1
      margie adams

      Uh, maybe I should have read the previous posts!!! Duh

  24. 25
    Angel

    Do you think it would be safe to store hand lotion in? I know you said its not food safe…but what about beauty product safe, tinted jars are so cute i want them everywhere haha

    1. 25.1

      Hi Angel,
      Yes, I think lotion would be just fine in them! :) Thanks for stopping by!
      happy crafting,
      Linda

  25. 26
    Misty Brooks

    Will the colored tint/paint possibly mix into the jar over time if placing dish/hand soap or lotion type product inside of it? Or is the tiny pretty perment once baked in the oven?

    1. 26.1
      Misty Brooks

      *tint

    2. 26.2

      Hi Misty,
      If you cure the paint correctly, you can hand wash it and it will be just fine!
      thanks,
      Linda

  26. 27
    Chris

    Linda, can this technique be applied to the outside of glass? thinking of using it to color wine bottles I use for hummingbird feeders.Thanks

    1. 27.1

      Hi Chris,
      Yes! You can do this to the outside of the bottles if you’d like.
      thanks for stopping by!
      Linda

  27. 28
    Jay

    Once you bake these (and wash them I would assume?) could you drink out of these?

    1. 28.1
      MAMAT

      NO NO NO! You cannot use them to store food in or as tableware unless you paint on the outside. Read ALL comments before you even BEGIN to attempt this fun project!

  28. 29
    Kellie

    Love this idea. My thinking is this. If everyone wanted to use these for food storage, or drinking glasses couldn’t the outside be tinted instead. Have you ever tried to tint the outside, and if so what were the results ? The tint is permanent right ?

  29. 30
    Amanda

    These tinted mason jars, you can drink out if them and wash them right?

    1. 30.1

      They can be hand washed only. Do not put in a dishwasher. Probably not a good idea to drink out of them though.

  30. 31
    Tamara

    Linda,

    Can these be used to store cake mix in as a gift?

    Thanks for your help!
    Tamara

    1. 31.1

      You’d probably want to paint the outside if you wanted to put food in them. {just to be safe!}

  31. 32
    Katelyn

    is this way of tinting the mason jar with the crystal glass enamels ok to drink out of? i want blue mason jars like this for my groom and i but want to make sure it is safe. i can buy a 6 pk of blue mason jars for $15 n this i feel would be cheaper and i really don’t need all 6 anyway just 2

    1. 32.1

      Hi Katelyn, You’d probably want to paint the outside instead of the inside if you were going to drink from them. :)

  32. 33
    Elizabeth

    I would like to know if u can drink from the tinted mason jars… I would like to tint some jars myself for my daughter in laws baby shower n would like to use the jars to drink pink lemonade…..ty Liz

  33. 34
    Jessica D

    Can you design the jars outside instead of inside?

  34. 35
    Debi

    please add me to any new things that you are sharing with all. God has so blessed you with beautiful projects that are also useful. Thanks,
    Debi

  35. 36
    Laurie

    Can you drink out of the mason jars when using the glass paint?

    Laurie

    1. 36.1

      If you wanted to drink out of them, you’d need to put the paint on the outside of the jar :)

  36. 37
    TiffanyS

    I am thinking of doing this with plates, painting the underside. I plan to make cake plates and will be using e6000 to glue on candlesticks. Should I glue after? Or, since these aren’t intended to go in the dishwasher, can I skip the baking? Will hand washing take off the paint if I don’t bake them?

    1. 37.1
      TiffanyS

      That should say candlestick holders. =)

    2. 37.2

      I’d glue the candlesticks to them after you’ve painted them blue. If you’re planning on washing the jars after painting them, then you will want to bake them to set the paint. Hope that helps!

  37. 38
    Gracie

    Are these tinted mason jars safe to put candy, etc in? I’m thinking of doing these for Christmas goodies but want to make sure it’s ok.

  38. 39
    diana

    I love this. I’m having trouble finding purple soap dispenser for my bathroom and thought this would be perfect. Would the color stay if I made the jar purple and used it as a soap Despenser?

  39. 40
    Sierra

    I’ve been in love with tinted mason jars for the longest time. I was wanting to get your opinion on this though. I can my own jams and jellies, and would love to tint the jars to match the type of jelly I’m making. I’d have to tint the jars before I put the jelly in them, but do you think the enamel would survive a (boiling) hot water bath for at least 10 minutes in my canner?

    1. 40.1

      Hi Sierra!
      Hmm, that’s a tough question! You’d definitely want to paint the outside of the jars so that the enamel doesn’t come in contact with the food. My guess is it would probably do ok as long as you cured the jars in the oven before hand and was very careful to handle them when it came out of the boil bath. Oh and make sure they don’t touch other jars during the bath. But I am not 100% sure on that! I’d try one out and see how it did before committing to tinting all of them! :) Hope that helps a tiny bit!

      1. Sierra

        It does. I think I’ll do just that and let you know how it works out!

  40. 41
    Katie

    Wow, have just been doing some research for my wedding in October and came across this which is perfect as I want to find a cheap solution for the few flowers I will be having on the tables.
    Just a quick question, how much paint did you need to use for a jar? I’m going to have to order this for delivery to the UK as I can’t seem to find this product anywhere over here and need to try and work out how much I will need!

    1. 41.1

      I did this a couple years ago. I don’t think it used much paint. My guess would be a bottle of the paint would work for maybe 10 quart size jars?

  41. 42
    Michelle

    Have you ever tried applying the paint to the outside? Do you think it would be durable? I can’t find the mason jars that I want in coloured glass so was thinking of trying this method, but am using the jar for homemade baby products. Thanks!

  42. 43
    Candace

    What would it look if you did the outside then frosted it

    1. 43.1

      About the same.

  43. 44
    Anthony Heflin

    Are they safe to drink from afterwards?

    1. 44.1

      No

  44. 45
    Patricia

    I was wondering if I would be able to drink out of a cup tinted in this way. Is it food safe?

    1. 45.1

      No, not food safe

  45. 46
    Terrie

    Thank you Linda. I’m making Mason Jar Tissue Holders and the 24 oz jars are perfect but don’t come tinted. Yay for your tutorial!! :) I saw a lot of comments about dishwasher & food safe so this is directly from the DecoArt site:
    GLOSS ENAMELS / CRYSTAL GLITTER / CRYSTAL / FROST: Shake well. Clean surface with alcohol. Apply 1-2 coats with a brush or sponge. Allow to cure 4 days. For a dishwasher-safe finish on oven-safe surfaces, place finished piece in a cool oven, set temperature to 325°F, bake for 30 minutes, then cool with oven door partially open. Not for direct contact with food. Suitable for indoor or outdoor use. Cleans up with soap and water.

  46. 47
    Tracie

    Hello! Thank you for the tutorial! I prefer to paint the outside of the jar so it does not interfere chemically with sugar scrubs that I plan on storing in the jar. Can I paint the outside and get the same results?

    1. 47.1

      Yes :)

  47. 48
    Faye

    What is the purpose of using the oven, is that what sets the paint to keep it from fading. Or is there another way to set the paint. My oven pre-heats.

    Any suggestions.

    1. 48.1

      It cures the paint.