Treat Jar Escort Cards
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Direct guests to their seats in a sweet way with these Mason jar escort cards. Everyone is sure to appreciate treats to munch on throughout the night and the jar is a practical way for your guests to transport their leftovers home. Popcorn is an ideal snack. Set up a popcorn bar where guests can sprinkle their favorite toppings over their popped kernels, like butter, cheese, salt, rosemary, sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate, to name just a few. Other possibilities for filling up the Mason jars include candy, chocolates, marshmallows, cookies, or berries. Little sweets are sure to be a big hit at your wedding.
Materials
Watercolor paper or cardstock
X-Acto knife
Scissors
Metal ruler
Cutting mat
Watercolor paints
Inkjet printer
Printer paper
Thin paintbrush
Wooden skewers
Butcher paper
White spray paint
Double-sided tape
Burlap
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Pint-size Mason jars
Popcorn or candy
Font Used: Bombshell Pro by Emily Lime
1. To make the name tags, cut the watercolor paper into 3⁄4 x 6-inch pieces. You will need one tag per guest. For precise cutting, use an X-Acto knife and metal ruler and do your work on a cutting mat. Scissors will also work.
2. Use watercolor paints to write out guest’s names and table numbers on each of the tags. If you are uncomfortable with your own handwriting, choose a favorite font and layout names on the computer (use software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop or Microsoft Word). Print out the names and then use this as a guide while you paint.
3. Notch out a little triangle from the end of each tag.
4. The wooden skewers should be about 10 inches long. Cut them down if necessary. Lay out the skewers on butcher paper and spray-paint them white. Turn them over and spray the opposite side. After applying full coverage allow the skewers to dry.
5. Put a strip of double-sided tape onto the end of a flag. Wrap this end around the top of a skewer and secure to the back of the flag. Repeat this for all of the flags.
6. Remove the metal bands and lids from the Mason jars.
7. Cut the burlap into 12 x 3-inch strips, one strip per jar.
8. Hot-glue one end of the burlap to the jar. Wrap the burlap around the jar and then glue down the opposite end. Repeat this for each jar.
9. Fill each jar with treats along with a flag to act as a guide for guests to find their seats.
Extra Tips
For more of a personal twist, try painting your own calligraphy or request the assistance of a talented friend.
Another option for a wedding is to use these jars as take-home favors. Instead of spelling out guests’ names across the flags, write the name of the bride and groom, their initials, or their wedding date.
Adapted from Mason Jar Crafts—DIY Projects for Adorable Gifts, Rustic Decor, Clever Storage, Inventive Lighting and Much More, by Lauren Elise Donaldson (Ulysses Press 2013).
Vintage Fork Signage
Difficulty Rating: Easy
Materials
Inkjet printer
Cardstock
Scanner
Signage Templates (see below)
X-Acto knife
Metal ruler
Scissors
Cutting mat
Stovetop
Stockpot
Vintage forks
Tongs
Quart-size and pint-size Mason jars
Super glue
Font Used: Nelly Script Flourish & Darling Monograms by Tart Workshop
Old forks can have new life again when paired with Mason jars, and they will shine as the perfect detail for rustic, vintage-inspired weddings and parties. Prominently display all types of signage to help educate and direct your guests at your venue. The fork prongs can hold name tags, table numbers, seating arrangements, food and dessert labels, photo booth directions, maps, and countless other signs and tags. Use them in your home as well to exhibit family photographs or to prop up recipes while you cook.
1. Choose a decorative font and load it onto your computer. Graphically lay out table numbers, labels, guests’ names, and/or signage in the chosen font using some kind of graphic software (like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, Microsoft Word, etc.). Start from scratch or use the template below for your designs.
2. Print out your designs on the cardstock, arranging as many per page as possible. Cut down each of the designs individually. An X-Acto knife and metal ruler will ensure even, clean cuts, but scissors work also. If you choose to cut with an X-Acto knife, do your work on a cutting mat.
3. Boil water on your stove in a stockpot. Make sure there is enough water so that the silverware will be fully submerged. Once the water is boiling, drop the forks into the stockpot. Let them sit for about five minutes.
4. Remove the forks one at a time with the tongs.
5. Take a fork and bend it by hand in the center. Use the edge of your kitchen counter or something equivalent to help if necessary. The metal should be malleable from the hot water. Bend the fork into the shape you want.
6. Try positioning the fork on the Mason jar. Multiple points of contact with the metal and glass will ensure stability so keep this in mind. Readjust the shape of the fork to achieve the best possible result when gluing.
7. At the contact points, put a dab of super glue onto the fork. Place the fork onto the jar, applying pressure.
8. Allow plenty of time for the fork and jar to bond together. The glue may take a full 24 hours to achieve the best result. Check the instructions that came with your brand of glue. Position or prop up the jar so the spoon can properly adhere.
9. Repeat this process with multiple jars.
10. Slip the name tags, table numbers, treat labels, and your other designs between the fork prongs to prop up signage and give it prominence at your wedding, party, or event.
Extra Tips
For a more personal twist, try doing calligraphy by hand or asking a talented friend to help. Painting words and numbers with watercolors would be another artistic option.
Display these jars during the holidays. Prop up cards and photographs you receive in the mail from family and friends.
Adapted from Mason Jar Crafts—DIY Projects for Adorable Gifts, Rustic Decor, Clever Storage, Inventive Lighting and Much More, by Lauren Elise Donaldson (Ulysses Press 2013).
Ring Bearer Pillow in a Jar
Difficulty Rating: Moderately Easy
Ring bearers have carried small pillows down the aisle for decades, taking a traditional approach in the delivery of the wedding rings. For the bride and groom who wish to see something different in their procession, this Mason jar pillow is a new variation. Young ring bearers can proudly transport this jar down the aisle and couples can appreciate this fresh take on a classic. Make a matching jar filled with petals to give to the flower girl.
Materials
Quart-size Mason jar
5 x 3½-inch Styrofoam egg
Craft knife
10-inch piece of ribbon
Ruler
Leather belt
Scissors
Pencil
Block of scrap wood
Large nail
Hammer
Jute twine
Fresh or dried flowers for decoration
6 x 6-inch piece of linen fabric
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
1. Remove the metal band from the Mason jar and set aside.
2. Cut the Styrofoam egg in half with a knife. Use the end that is more rounded. Drape the linen fabric over the Styrofoam and then tuck in the edges underneath it. Pull taut and hot-glue in place.
3. Glue the linen-covered Styrofoam ball into the inside of the metal band. The Styrofoam should protrude out through the top. Tighten the band back onto the jar.
4. Fold the ribbon in half to find the center point. Place a dab of glue at that point and then apply it to the top of the linen-covered Styrofoam. The rings will eventually be tied here.
5. Measure out a section of the leather belt and cut it down to 20 inches with scissors.
6. Half an inch from each end of the belt, mark a center point with a pencil. Place one end of the belt over a block of scrap wood. Line up a large nail over the dot and hammer the nail into and through the leather. Repeat this with the other end. The nail will be driven through the leather and into whatever surface is below it, hence the scrap wood to protect your work surface. Instead of a nail, you can also use a stitching awl.
7. Cut an 18-inch piece of jute twine. Wrap the twine around the jar a couple times below the band. Pass the twine through the holes in each end of the belt. Tie a knot in the twine. Glue sections of the jute to the glass for added strength.
8. Glue fresh or dried flowers around the jar.
9. Slip wedding rings through the ribbons and tie into a bow before heading down the aisle.
Extra Tips
Inexpensive leather belts can be found at local thrift stores, Goodwill stores, or big chain stores like Target. Find one in a hue and texture that complements your wedding colors.
The flowers and colors used in this example would look great at a shabby chic, garden wedding. By switching out colors and adornments, this DIY can be customized to your specific event.
For added visual interest, fill the inside of the jar with items that correspond to your theme. For a beach wedding, fill the jar with shells or sand. For a mountain wedding, fill it with pinecones. For a vintage wedding, fill it with old spools. Get creative!
Adapted from Mason Jar Crafts—DIY Projects for Adorable Gifts, Rustic Decor, Clever Storage, Inventive Lighting and Much More, by Lauren Elise Donaldson (Ulysses Press 2013).
Calligraphy Drink Jars
Difficulty Rating: Moderately Easy
Handwritten calligraphy is a personal touch that can make a wedding day extra-special for you and your guests. This distinctive detail is not only romantic but practical too. Labeled Mason jars will help guests identify their drinks throughout the night, and since they can be used repeatedly, it is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic cups. Calligraphy details are very stylish in weddings now, but not all brides can afford a personal calligrapher. This project is the perfect solution for a less expensive, DIY alternative or for the bride who lack confidence in her own freehand writing abilities.
Materials
Inkjet printer
Printer paper
Scissors
Double-sided tape
Pint-size Mason jars
Glass paint marker, white
Cookie sheet
Oven
Striped paper straws
Font Used: Jacques & Gilles by Emily Lime
1. Choose a calligraphic font that is both whimsical and legible and load it onto your computer. Graphically lay out guest’s names in the chosen font using some kind of graphic software (like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, Microsoft Word, etc.). For pint-size jars, size the font appropriately so that names do not exceed more than 2.5 inches in width. This will ensure that names are easy to read on the curved surface of the Mason jars. Reminder: Steps 1 through 3 give direction in tracing names from an existing font. Skip these steps and write names freehand if you or someone you know is comfortable printing letters without a guide.
2. Print out guest’s names, arranging a handful of names per page. Cut down each of the names individually.
3. Apply double-sided tape to the front of the name tags. Slip one into a Mason jar, position it, and press it down firmly against the glass. The double-sided tape will temporarily hold the name tag in place so that the letters can be traced over.
4. Use the glass marker to trace over the name or to write it out freehand. Remove the paper. Allow the jar to fully dry for four hours to guarantee that the paint permanently seals itself to the glass. If using a different marker, follow the directions provided with that specific product.
5. After four hours of dry time, arrange the Mason jars on a cookie sheet and place them in a cold oven. Set the oven to 375°F (180°C). Once the oven is up to temperature, bake the jars for 40 minutes. Turn off the oven, open the door, and allow the jars to cool inside the oven when finished. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for all of the jars.
6. Adorn drinks with paper straws to coordinate with your wedding or event and to make the jars festive.
Extra Tips
The paint on these Mason jars will need to hold up to excessive handling and condensation because they’re being used as drink glasses. By allowing plenty of dry time and by baking the jars, the paint can seal itself to the glass. This will prevent chipping and smearing and leave your calligraphy looking great throughout the entire event.
Wash these jars by hand to maximize the life of the painted names. After the wedding is over, use them every day for your favorite refreshments.
Adapted from Mason Jar Crafts—DIY Projects for Adorable Gifts, Rustic Decor, Clever Storage, Inventive Lighting and Much More, by Lauren Elise Donaldson (Ulysses Press 2013).
Jute-Wrapped Succulent Favors
Difficulty Rating: Moderately Easy
Deciding on ideal wedding favors can be a challenge. You want them to show your gratitude as well as be valuable to your guests. Choose to make something by hand and put a little love into your gifts. Succulents are easy plants to maintain, a characteristic that any guest will highly regard. And these wrapped jars are not only rustic and full of charm but are also easy and inexpensive to make, two traits that any DIY bride will appreciate.
Materials
Half pint-size Mason jar
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Jute twine
Scissors
Succulent
Wood skewer
Scrap linen fabric
1. Remove the metal band and lid from the Mason jar.
2. Place a thin line of glue along the bottom edge of the jar and then press the twine down into the glue. Apply pressure to the twine while the glue dries.
3. Repeat Step 2 to cover the entire jar, doing a little section at a time and slowly working your way up and around the Mason jar.
4. Continue wrapping until the entire jar is completely covered. Cut the twine when you have finished.
5. Plant your succulent in the jar.
6. To make the little flag, cut down a wooden skewer to 6 inches. Knot a scrap of frayed linen onto the end. A dab of hot glue will help hold it in place. Stick the flag into the jar for a simple embellishment.
Extra Tips:
These jute-wrapped jars can shine in more ways than one on your wedding day. Turn them into table centerpieces or have them line your walk down the aisle. Both Mason jars and jute twine are low cost, so this DIY is ideal for a bride on a budget.
Succulents look great in your home too. Spice up any boring planters you may have for a touch of rustic beauty.
Adapted from Mason Jar Crafts—DIY Projects for Adorable Gifts, Rustic Decor, Clever Storage, Inventive Lighting and Much More, by Lauren Elise Donaldson (Ulysses Press 2013).
Colorblocked Air Plant Terrariums
Difficulty Rating: Moderately Easy
Air plants are great alternatives for those who enjoy greenery but not the upkeep. After all, not everyone is born with a green thumb. Worry-free plants deserve to be displayed with some glitz and glamour, and these gilded terrariums are one stylish solution. An easy project as well, this DIY only requires a few components, some of which may be found in your own cupboard. Air plants do not require soil to grow so they can be perched on top of any surface or material. Not only is this easy maintenance, but it also allows for total freedom when it comes to display.
Materials
Quart- and/or pint-size Mason jars
Butcher paper
Painter’s tape
Spray paint
Dried navy
or pinto beans
Air plants
1. Prep your Mason jar by making sure it is clean and that the surface is ready to take paint.
2. Thoroughly cover your work area with butcher paper. Spray paint has a tendency to get everywhere so cover anything valuable that may be in its path.
3. Position painter’s tape on your Mason jar in the configuration of your choice.
Press the tape down firmly to prevent paint from seeping underneath. Thoroughly cover the portion of the jar that will not be painted.
4. Put your Mason jar upside down on the butcher paper and spray-paint the jar. Do a thorough coat, covering all the exposed glass.
5. Start to pull the tape up right away, before the paint can fully dry. This will minimize tearing when the tape is removed.
6. Allow the paint to dry overnight.
7. Fill the Mason jar with navy or pinto beans.
8. Display the air plant on top of the beans.
Extra Tips
Plant Care Tip: Keep a spray bottle on hand to easily water the air plants. Air plants need very little attention. An occasional spray or a soak in water, once a week or even once every two weeks should keep them plenty content. Follow specific plant care instructions.
This example uses dried navy or pinto beans. Give other dried foodstuffs a try like rice, black beans, or lentils. Coffee beans are an aromatic alternative as well.
Adapted from Mason Jar Crafts—DIY Projects for Adorable Gifts, Rustic Decor, Clever Storage, Inventive Lighting and Much More, by Lauren Elise Donaldson (Ulysses Press 2013).