Crafting and decorating with chalkboard paint seems to be making a comeback, at least from what I can tell by my hours surfing, nay researching on Pinterest. Chalkboard paint is a great way to give a rustic elegance (I just coined that term FYI) to your decorating and couple that with the versatility of mason jars… endless possibilities (see 25 more mason jar ideas).
DIY Chalkboard Mason Jar Labels
Supplies
- Chalkboard Paint (stick with the actual paint for this project and not the spray paint, since you are working with a smaller surface).
- Chalk
- Mason jars – varying sizes
- Candy corn, corn kernels, dried beans, anything you’d like to fill the jars with
- Foam brush
- Small tip paint brush (you may or may not need this – since my small jars had an etched space for a label I needed a small brush to smooth the curves).
Instructions
First, as always, gather your supplies because there is nothing worse than getting halfway through a craft project and realizing you don’t have everything you need to finish said project and then heading back to the craft store with your cranky pants on, only to run smack into a ridiculously long checkout line… hypothetically.
I had a few large mason jars already in my possession which you will see that I used more as centerpieces than place settings. For the place settings, I used small mason jars that I purchased from craft store (with a coupon, of course) because the shape reminded me of a pumpkin and they actually had a smooth surface for a label – which would make painting easy. No need to tape off the small jars, but I did tape off the area I wanted to paint on the large jars.
Paint the jars and then wait…… paint them again…. and then maybe a third time. It really is important to apply at least 2 coats with the chalkboard paint. (I let the jars dry about 45 minutes in between coats). Your first coat will look sloppy (I assume, in my professional opinion, that it’s because you are painting on smooth glass and it’s hard to get it to *stick*) but the 2nd and/or 3rd coat is when you get to make it look pretty. Let the painted jars dry a few hours before using chalk on them.
Now it’s time to fill the jars – with anything your little heart desires (well, as long as it will fit in the jar). I went with a variety of items as you will see: candy corn, pumpkin erasers, skeleton erasers, corn kernels, dried beans and some shiny plastic acorns. But here’s where the brilliance comes in to play – these jars with the freshly-painted chalkboard labels are going to be useful for numerous holidays and occasions… Place settings (red and green beads for Christmas!!), party favors, decorations, storage for craft supplies, storage for little girls’ hair ties and bows… See. Endless possibilities. Happy crafting:)
I love this! Thanks for sharing
Thank you!
Already working on them for my new pantry! Love it!
New Pantry…. that sounds dreamy Joyce. Always miss you extra around Halloween:)!!