How to Make Halloween Luminaries from Recycled Glass Jars

How to make Halloween luminaries with recycled glass jars


If you're looking for an easy Halloween craft to do with kids, look no further than your recycling bin! 

With a little help from Mod Podge and tissue paper (or napkins) you can transform empty glass jars to adorable Halloween luminaries. 

These recycled glass jar luminaries are easy to make and a perfect first Mod Podge project. 

This Halloween luminary project I designed was featured on Hands on Crafts for Kids in December of 2015. 

While the version of my Halloween luminaries aired by Hands on Crafts for Kids is a little different than the way I designed it (they used Elmer's glue instead of Mod Podge for example), watching the video below will give you the basic technique for making them.

How to Make Halloween Luminaries from Recycled Glass Jars

Halloween pumpkin luminary craft made with recycled jars


Supplies

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Directions

Video: How to Make Halloween Pumpkin Luminary Jars

If the video does not play in the space directly below this paragraph, click here to watch it on YouTube >>



How to Make Halloween Luminaries Step 1:

Tear off small pieces of the napkins and separate the plies from each other.

How to Make Halloween Luminaries Step 2:

Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge on the jar (in the video they use clear glue but I prefer Mod Podge). Place an orange napkin piece on the Mod Podge, pressing down into the Mod Podge. Dab more Mod Podge over the top with the foam brush. Continue in this manner around the jar until the entire jar is covered except for the collar. Set the jar aside to dry.

Use this same process to cover the lid with green tissue or napkin pieces. It's ok if you need multiple layers of tissue in order to cover any text on your jar lid.

How to Make Halloween Luminaries Step 3:

Once dry, use the black paint marker to draw a face on your jack o lantern.

How to Make Halloween Luminaries Step 4:

Make a stem by cutting a 2-3 inch piece of green chenille stem. Wrap the chenille stem around a pencil or paint brush to make a curly Q. Bend the bottom to create a flat area where you can attach it to the lid. Attach stem to lid with a glue dot.

How to Make Halloween Luminaries Step 5:

Add a battery powered  candle to the jar and reattach the lid

Don't forget to pin it to save it for later!


How to make a DIY Halloween luminary from empty glass jars (mason jars, baby food jars, any jar!). This is the perfect craft for kids to make. Also makes a great beginner level Mod Podge or decoupage project! #halloweendecorations #halloweencraft #kidscraft #modpodge #halloween #recycledcraft

About the Author:

Carissa Bonham is a lifelong crafter and mom of two creative boys. The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she won the Craftys Award for the "Best Craft Blogger" category in 2016 and the ShiftCon award for "Best DIY Blogger" in 2018.

Her creative pursuits don't stop at crafts - she is also the author of the hardcover cookbook, Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017) and several ebooks. Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on PinterestInstagramTwitter or join the Creative Green Living community group.
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4 comments

  1. Replies
    1. Total time from set up, crafting and clean up is probably about an hour not counting dry time. Dry time will vary depending on temperature and humidity in your area but you can help speed it along with a hair dryer if desired.

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  2. This is an amazing idea and it look fantastic! I have added it to our round-up, 22+ Kids Halloween Crafts From Recycled Materials. You can view it here if you like, http://www.diythought.com/22-kids-halloween-crafts-from-recycled-materials/ Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful! Thanks for including my project ❤️

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