Simple Painted Glass Jars

Simple Painted Glass Jars by Just a Girl and Her Blog

I have a confession to make. Lately I’ve been having painted jar envy. I know it’s not right to covet what others have, but seriously, every time I see a beautifully painted Ball jar on Pinterest I want to reach through the computer or iPhone screen and snatch it for myself.

But since I don’t want to pay for a new screen for any of my devices {and also because I probably shouldn’t steal…}, I did the next best thing and created my own. 😀 I had a bunch of smaller glass jars sitting around my house, so I grabbed a couple of them and got to work!

Here’s what I used to create these pretty little painted jars:

  • Rubbing Alcohol & Cotton Balls
  • Glass Jars
  • Acrylic Paint & Paint Brush
  • Nail File

First, I wanted to make sure my jars were really, really clean. Glass is a slippery surface, and if the paint was going to stick at all, I needed to remove all the grime. I used cotton balls and rubbing alcohol to wipe everything down so it was nice and shiny!

Simple Painted Glass Jars by Just a Girl and Her Blog

Next, I started painting! I painted the whole outside of the jars, being careful not to let any of the paint pool in the tiny crevices. I let the paint dry completely before doing a second coat. {If I would have tried to do a second coat before the first coat dried, it would have pulled off some of my paint. Not that i know that from experience or anything…}

Simple Painted Glass Jars by Just a Girl and Her Blog

Then came the hard part: I had to be patient. I’m not good at being patient, but I also wanted my jars to look pretty, so I let them dry overnight before using a nail file to “distress” them. I was afraid sandpaper would chip off too much of the paint, and the nail file actually ended up working perfectly!

Simple Painted Glass Jars by Just a Girl and Her Blog

The distressing totally makes it, right?! You can see the difference here– the right one is distressed; the left is not.

Next I added some baker’s twine for a touch of pink, popped in some ombre tissue paper flowers, and they were ready for display!

Simple Painted Glass Jars by Just a Girl and Her Blog

And since I was setting the jars up for pictures, I figured I should probably just make my whole coffee table look pretty while I was at it…

Simple Painted Glass Jars by Just a Girl and Her Blog
Simple Painted Glass Jars by Just a Girl and Her Blog

I am just loving my little owl friend. I was shocked when I found him on clearance at Target for 2 or 3 dollars. You’d better believe I snatched him up before anyone else could get to him! 😉

Simple Painted Glass Jars by Just a Girl and Her Blog

Have you created any simple home decor lately?

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65 Comments

  1. Megan @ Our Pinteresting Family says:

    They look beautiful!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Megan! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  2. Ashley @ 3littlegreenwoods says:

    Okay so now I have jar envy! Got to make me some of these pretties!

    ~ Ashley 😉

  3. Kim {Pinspired Home} says:

    So pretty! We have a ton of mason jars. But… we actually use almost all of them for canning in the summer and the fall. Maybe we can spare a few? 🙂
    Ok, and now I have to ask: how long did your coffee table stay pretty? Your Caleb is very close to my kiddo’s age, and I know I can’t decorate anything within his reach because it gets moved, hidden, or destroyed. 😛 I’d love some tips in that department!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Lol! I was fending off the boys the whole time I was taking these pictures! The light was just perfect on the coffee table that day, though, so I had to set it up there! When I want stuff to stay “styled” long-term, I have a couple spots that are out of their reach– the shelves that I show often, on top of the Expedit that holds all of their toys, and on top of my china cabinet. Maybe someday I’ll be able to have permanent decor on the coffee table, but that day has not arrived yet! 😀 Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Kim!

      ~Abby =)

  4. Mandy Hank says:

    Abby this is a great tutorial. I tried to paint some jars awhile back and it literally peeled right off- oops 🙁 These are super cute!!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you, Mandy! I was afraid of that, too, but it seems to be staying for now! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, friend!

      ~Abby =)

  5. Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says:

    I want some too, now! I have been eyeing them around the blogosphere for a while now also, but yours really make me want some…they’re my favorite color! 🙂 Have a fantastic weekend! XO

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Aw, thank you friend! You are the queen of pretty painting projects, so I’m sure yours would be stunning! I hope you’re having a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  6. I love these, too! And the color you choose is just perfection! Thank you for sharing with us.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Amy! You are so sweet! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  7. Carrie A. says:

    I am IN love with how you’ve decorated your coffee table! Love the jars, too!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Carrie! You are the sweetest! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  8. Amy @ Homey Oh My! says:

    They look SO good on your coffee table! And would even look great on your pink and aqua V-day display ;). So pretty, Abby!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      I do seem to have a thing for aqua these days! I’ve even found myself wearing it more often, lol. Must be a phase! Thank you so much for your sweet words, Miss Amy! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  9. Lisa - A Merry Mom says:

    Your painted jars turned out great. Love your whole coffee table vignette!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Lisa! I’m so glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  10. Katie @ Made to be a Momma says:

    These jars are soooo pretty! Love the blue with the pink!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, my friend! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  11. Krista @thehappyhousie says:

    So pretty Abby! I LOVE the color (surprised?) and the distressing. They look adorable with the twine wrapped around the top. Pinned. Happy weekend!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      You are the queen of aqua! I always love the way you incorporate it! 😀 Thanks so much for the pin! Have a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  12. Do you have a blog post about how to create the paper flowers? I’m looking for an easy paper flower project. (Love the jars, too, though!)

  13. Nice photos, nice tutorial. Thank you.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Cyndi! I’m so glad you stopped by! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  14. Jamie @ Anderson & Grant says:

    Adding LOVE was such a nice touch in the label section of the jar…..it’s the little details that make projects like this really special!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Jamie! You are the sweetest! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  15. Sonnet @ SohoSonnet Creative Living says:

    These are simply gorgeous. Great color and they seem pretty easy to make!! PS- I love your living room especially the owl 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, friend! You are the sweetest! Hope you’re having a great night!

      ~Abby =)

  16. Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body says:

    These are so wonderfully beautiful and dainty. I love them, Abby!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you, Tasha! Hope you have a great week!

      ~Abby =)

  17. Corey @ Tinysidekick says:

    I love these painted jars Abbey. I am throwing a wedding shower soon and something like this would be perfect!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Corey! They’re super simple, too! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

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  19. Marty Walden says:

    Your project is beautiful and the post is done so well, Abby! I’m pinning and visiting from blogtalk today!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you, Marty! I’m so glad you stopped by! Thanks for the pin! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  20. Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says:

    These are adorable! I thought at first that they were pricey vases!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thanks, Heather! I’m flattered! 😀 Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  21. So pretty! I love your jars.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Virginia! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  22. These are so sweet. I love the addition of the ombre tissue paper flowers. I hope you’ll link this up to our All Things Thursday Blog Hop going on right now. Have a great week.
    Blessings,
    Nici

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Nici! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  23. Selene Galindo says:

    This is so pretty, Abby!!! Love the baker’s twine! It was the perfect touch!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you, Selene! You are the sweetest! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

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  26. Katie @ Upcycled Treasures says:

    These are so pretty and I love the color you chose! I’ve had painted jar envy for quite some time too now, and can’t believe I haven’t painted any yet! It’s on my to do list so hopefully I will get to it sooner than later, especially after seeing yours 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you, friend! I couldn’t believe I had waited so long either! It ended up being so simple! Thanks so much for stopping by!

      ~Abby =)

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    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, Julia! I’m honored to be included! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

      1. Cathey DeRosa says:

        I love the jars as well as every one else. Could you please let me know what kind of paint you used? You said “Acylics”, but there are quite a few kinds now. I’d appreciate it.
        Thank you.
        Cathey D.

        1. justagirlabby says:

          Thanks so much, Cathey! I just used the regular old Martha Stewart craft paint! 🙂 I hope that helps! Have a wonderful Sunday!

          ~Abby =)

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  34. sooooooooooo pretty! i love the color you chose 🙂

  35. Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says:

    These are so gosh darned gorgeous, Abby! I’m a sucker for all things mason jar…but seeing that pretty blue in conjunction with the pink baker’s twine and tissue paper flowers, well, it’s a match made in DIY heaven. Pinning!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much, my friend! You are the sweetest! Enjoy your week!

      ~Abby =)

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  38. Abby, beautiful workmanship. I just saw this posted on the FaveCrafts website and most definitely will try it. BTW, would you know of an acrylic paint thinner? I can’t afford the Pebeo thinners and I wanted to know if this was something more inexpensive out there to use. Thank you so much……

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