Mason Jar Chandelier {SYTYC}

Hey Friends!

Remember the Mason Jar Chandelier I created for the first week of the So You Think You’re Crafty Competition: In the Kitchen…

What a challenge…so many possibilities!  My biggest challenge was narrowing down what I wanted to create.  I love my kitchen, but I did not love the chandelier in the dining area.  It was definitely time for a makeover!  So I decided to give my existing chandelier an update and create a Mason Jar Chandelier!

I started with a basic chandelier.  I was not in love with it and never have been.  When we remodeled our home, the lighting was one of the last things we purchased.  We happened to have this one on hand, so rather than spending any more money, we just hung it up.

Here’s the details…

First, I had my dear Hubby take it down.  Then I cleaned it off…I had no idea how much dust was hiding in there!  I covered the candlesticks with Press and Seal to keep them from being sprayed.

Next, set the mason jar with lid attached inside the round arm of the chandelier with the view of the side of the jar you want to see facing outward.  {Actually, I did not do this, but should have.  I made a couple oops along the way…I was making the mistakes so you won’t have to!} Make a small mark on both the lid and chandelier base to indicate where they should line up.  Take the lid off of the jar and adhere into place lining up the marks. {I used E6000 Adhesive} This way your jar will face the way you want it to.  I did not do this and now I have all different views of my jars, when I really just want to see the Ball side.  Am I taking it apart and fixing it?  Um…NO!  I just strategically placed the chandelier so I look at the globes I like the best.

Then I sprayed the chandelier with cream spray paint.  I used Krylon dual primer and paint in ivory…My new favorite!  The coverage is amazing and no drips or streaks.

Next step was to paint the candlesticks.  I used some leftover chalkpaint I had used on a couple other projects in the same space.

Okay…Now the base is complete…Time to take the mason jars from ordinary canning jars to vintage turquoise!

I researched many ways of tinting mason jars, but none of them ended up working out with the exact look I was going for.  I wanted a color that would coordinate with the other turquoise items in my home and be a close match to the store bought 100 Year Anniversary Mason Jars I picked up at Target this Summer.

Here’s the Recipe that worked for me:

Per Quart Jar, mix 2 Tbsp Mod Podge and 1-2 Tbsp water.  Add food coloring to create the color you like.  It will dry lighter than it goes on now.  Also, the more water added, the lighter the color on the jars will be.  I added 1 Tbsp, but wish I would have added a bit more water.

Pour into jar and swirl around until the inside is completely covered.

Then turn the jars upside down and allow to dry thoroughly.  I set them on a cooling rack with wax paper underneath….FYI: Do not use good cooling racks you plan to use again with cookies.  I still cannot get some of the mod podge off!

When the jars have dried completely, bake up side down at 375 degrees for 10 -15 minutes, then turn right side up and bake another 30-40 minutes.  I found that the longer they baked, the more clear the color became.  I’m not sure I would bake much longer than this, though.  Ovens vary, so watch the jars and bake accordingly.

Remove jars and allow to cool.

 

Twist into place and now you have a Perfectly Charming Chandelier!

It took a little tweaking and a bit of trial and error to make it all work together, but Oh How I Love It Now!  It adds just the amount of added color and charm this space was lacking!

What have you made over lately?

 

 

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