Use Puff Paint To Transform Old Glass Jars Into Intricate Lanterns

If you're a DIY enthusiast itching for a lighting project, there's an affordable one that can transform any old glass jar into an intricately detailed lantern with puff paint. Inspiration for this project comes courtesy of Jay Muncee DIY, whose YouTube tutorial shows you how to create your own stunning lanterns with henna-inspired designs for just a few dollars.

To begin, you'll need a glass jar — ideally with a metal hanger for a true lantern effect — some metallic puff paint, a fine paintbrush (which you can skip if your paint bottle has a nozzle), Mod Podge, food coloring, and some printed henna motifs. First, cut out your henna pattern, then tape it to the inside of the jar so it's visible through the glass. Carefully trace your design with a loaded paintbrush or with the nozzle on your glass paint bottle. If you smudge some paint along the way, you can remove it with a damp paper towel. Once finished, let the paint dry completely before moving on.

To color a clear glass jar (optional), the next step is to create a mixture of Mod Podge, water, and food coloring to create a glass dye. Once blended, pour the mixture directly into your jar, slowly swishing it around until the paint covers the interior, then flipping it upside down on some aluminum foil to coat the top and even out the paint layer. Bake the glass jar on a lined cookie sheet at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes or until dry. Once done, you'll be left with your own unique, textured, and intricately patterned jar lantern to hold tea light candles.

Between being able to choose your own color palettes, glass jar styles, and decorative patterns, this DIY project allows for plenty of creative expression and personalization. If you're in the mood for some whimsy, forego the henna template and freehand some designs on your jar, whether they occupy only one side of the glass or the full circumference of the jar. Producing a pattern of your own invention isn't the only way you can personalize this project, either. You can also modify your Mod Podge paint mixture by sprinkling some glitter onto it after the jar's interior has been covered. While the creator of this DIY used a 12-ounce glass lantern in the project, you can turn any old glass jar of any size into a hanging lantern, so long as it can fit a 1.5-inch tea light candle. 

There are many ways you can use your newly made decorative lighting, too! Place the lanterns on your covered patio to cozy up evenings outside and show off your creativity to the world. You could just as easily use them inside the house, though; add these jars to your bathroom to lend it a spa-like feel, or place them as centerpieces on the dinner table to enjoy candle-lit meals. If you have children, it's advisable to either keep lit lanterns out of their reach or use battery-powered tea lights instead. The latter option is also ideal for outdoor use. If you're in the mood for more DIY projects and want to hang your jars with something besides metal hangers, use beads to create custom cradles for your colorful new lanterns.