Spring Tinted Mason Jars

I came across this activity on pinterest and decided to use the jars as a center piece for an event at my sorority house that I am planning.  

They're cheap and not at all hard to make

Things you'll need:

Newspaper, Solo cups (or any kind of bowl if you choose, solo cups are just easier for clean up), Gloss Mod Podge, food coloring, water and Mason Jars. 

First you take the solo cups and put enough food coloring in them to cover the bottom.  Then add about two teaspoons of water to each one.

Then pour about this much Mod Podge into the mason jar...

Add desired amount of food coloring...

Then over an EMPTY solo cup, twist the jar around until it is covered in the mixture...

Once covered, pour the remainder into the cup and place the jar on top of the cup as pictured below...

This allows the excess to be put in the cup and you can use that to cover another jar later on if desired.  

I found this too be less messy also since so much of the mixture came out onto the newspaper.  

Let the jars drain into the cups for about 30 minutes then place them upside down on a cookie sheet that is covered in wax paper...

Bake the jars upside down at 200 degrees like this for 15-20 minutes with big jars (like these) and about 10 minutes at 180 degrees for smaller jars...

After that time is up take the jars out and remove them from the sheet with a pot holder since they are EXTREMELY HOT!  Replace the wax paper with a clean one and then place the jars right side up back into the oven...

You can see on the purple that when it was upside down it had already started to dry clear!  Bake them right side up for 30-50 minutes depending on the size of your jar.  If you have them in that long and they still look painted, just leave them in until you see no streaks and it is clear like these...

Voila! You now have some beautifully colored mason jars that can be used as vases or to put anything in.  Just remember they are no longer safe to drink out of!!

Happy Crafting!

Always,

Mel
**Disclaimer: This is not the permanent way to tint mason jars.  Once water is put in for a long amount of time or if these jars are washed, the color will peal out.  To prevent this use a sponge brush and crystal enamel paint in any color!