Mason jar crafts are so popular these days – here’s a collection of ideas so you know what to do with them. There are tons of possibilities!

Mason jars are so trendy right now . . . one visit to Pinterest and you can see what I’m talking about. It’s funny because mason jars remind me of my mother canning when I was little – so it’s taken me some time to think of them as a craft supply!
Now that I’ve made the mental shift, I love how readily available they are, how budget friendly they are and how easy they are to decorate. So if you haven’t gotten into mason jar crafts yet, it’s time, don’t you think?
Preparing Mason Jars for Crafts
Before you get started, you’re going to need to prepare them for crafting. First, you’ll remove all the labels with Goo-Gone or some other label removing process.
Mason jars tend to get greasy fingerprints on the outside from so much handling, so I always recommend washing them with a mild soap and water and letting dry. You can also use rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball to clean the glass also.
Painting Mason Jars
A lot of the projects I’m going to show you below are painted. If you use any sort of paint, it should be either a spray paint (like a primer) or an acrylic paint made for glass. This means the paint needs to be an enamel or multi surface paint. You should definitely make sure to clean the jars before painting if you want it to stick.
You can also DYE mason jars with Mod Podge and drops of food coloring. Learn how to do that here.
You can also use chalk paint or milk paint. You’ll see some painted mason jars in the projects below. I wrote a guide on how to paint mason jars at my other blog that you’ll definitely want to reference.
After you paint the jars, there’s so much else you can do with them. You can decoupage on top – glue on scraps of fabric – adhere paper or vinyl . . . the possibilities are endless! This list is going to show you exactly what you can do.
Here are over 50 crafts to get you inspired – from simple to more complex. Just scroll through the list below and let me know which are your faves in the comments.
Mason Jar Crafts
Mason jars are easy to find, inexpensive and cute! You can see why there are so many mason jar crafts online. Here are 50+ of the best ideas out there.
Rustic Farmhouse Wall Planter
Get your indoor herb garden or flowers off the counter and up on the wall with this farmhouse planter made of wood and mason jars.
Aqua Chandelier
This amazing chandelier uses mason jars and tealights to make a statement. It's such an original project, and Janet will show you how to make it.
Faux Succulent Terrarium
Learn how to make a faux terrarium using supplies from the craft store! This is very easy, vintage style home decor.
House Number Sign
Learn how to make this DIY house number with a wood slice! Make your address clear with a pretty display at the same time.
Flower Box
This gorgeous display is perfect for a wedding, party, or just to enjoy inside your home. I love the aqua, but you can paint this any color you like!
Beach Inspired
Crystal used crushed seashells and decoupage medium to make this beautiful vase that is perfect for beach themed decor.
Herb Planter
This 'Watch Me Grow' planter is easy to make and would be a great gift for Mother's Day. Fill it with an existing plant, or put a seed packet inside.
Solar Lantern
Grab your power tools and a mason jar to make this really nice lantern that is powered by the sun! The secret is mercury glass spray.
Chalk Paint Mason Jars with Succulents
Learn how to make chalk paint mason jars with succulents for spring. Perfect for a kitchen windowsill or a seasonal mantel!
Tissue Holder
Can't find a tissue box that look good in your room? Make your own from a mason jar! This is perfect for your nightstand or anywhere else in your home where you want to keep tissues on hand at all times.
Bathroom Organizer
Keep all those bathroom supplies off of the counter with this cool wall organizer. There's also a video tutorial so you can see the process in action.
Utensil Caddy
Scrap wood, mason jars and twine come together to make this cute utensil caddy. I love that it can be used for any themed party year round.
Unicorn Succulent Planter
This unicorn mason jar craft would look so cute in a playroom or little kid's room! I love the long succulent mane.
Banner Lamp
I love that you can change the display in the center of this mason jar lamp depending on the season! Even without any banners, this cool map makes a statement (and looks great with farmhouse decor).
Sand Terrariums
These sand terrariums are a perfect pairing of a craft you loved as a kid combined with painted succulents! It’s really easy to do with any colors.
Oil Candle Lamp
A floating wick makes this oil lamp work. It is filled with olive oil, essential oils and pretty holiday items like dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks.
Metallic Vases
Pick your favorite shade of metallic spray paint and turn your mason jars into beautiful vases. Both the silver and gold are so pretty!
Herb Garden
This method is an awesome way to grow herbs. You could also use the same tutorial for pretty (natural) wall sconces.
Mason Jar Light
Put battery-powered fairy lights in a mason jar. These would look nice on tables at an outdoor party at night!
Frosted Christmas Luminaries
Use textured Epsom salt and Mod Podge to make these gorgeous mason jar Christmas luminaries! These are easy and so pretty for winter with the faux snow.
Teacher Gift
These painted mason jars are themed just for a teacher – a pencil, ruler, and chalkboard. This mason jar craft is the perfect way to start off a new school year!
Craft Storage
Get your craft supplies in order with these labeled mason jars. Just group like items together and add a chalkboard paint label.
Mother's Day Gift
Give a Mother’s Day gift that she will never forget – this floral vase idea with a printable is a piece-of-cake and you can make it in a couple of minutes!
Summer Jars
Follow this simple tutorial to upcycle a glass jar you have hanging out in your pantry. This summer craft is perfect for parties and picnics!
Fishnet Wrapped Mason Jar
Learn how to tie your own fishnet around a mason jar. This would be perfect in a beach themed room!
Sheet Music Centerpieces
Maybe you need table decorations for a party or wedding on a budget? Mason jar centerpieces are a great idea!
Soap Dispenser
Drill into the lid and add a soap dispenser to give a mason jar a great new purpose. Looks great in the kitchen or bathroom.
Pin Cushions
Mini mason jars are perfect for turning into pin cushions – which are useful and also provide storage below.
Superhero Banks
Mason jar crafts are for kids too! Get your children excited about saving with a superhero mason jar bank. People who save are definitely superheroes!
Vanity Light
Turn your builder grade bathroom fixture into a farmhouse style light using mason jars! It's not as hard as you might think.
Patriotic Lanterns
These red white and blue mason jar lanterns are perfect for when you are outside watching the fireworks!
Football Mugs
Turn a plain mason jar mug into a football mug using your Cricut. Angie also shows you how to turn small jars into a football themed utensil holders.
Faux Stained Glass Lantern
Imagine this lit up with a candle inside at night. It really looks like stained glass (bubbles and all)!
Thanksgiving Centerpiece
Create a beautiful centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinner with this mason jar idea using stickers. I love how you can see through the letters in this jar!
Christmas Apothecary Jars
Learn how to make these Christmas apothecary jars (they hold candy!) for your holiday mantel or decor.
Picnic In A Jar
Add picnic foods to a jar in layers and attach a fork for eating! This is not only cute for a picnic, it would be a nice make ahead idea for a party.
Spice Storage
Proudly display your spices by putting them in mason jars and labeling them. This looks much better than the containers they come in!
Fall Buffalo Plaid
Embellish mason jars with paint to make a fun and festive fall gift or decor! This buffalo plaid pattern is easier to paint than you might think.
Pendant Light
Turn your recessed kitchen lighting into mason jar pendant lights! It only takes about 20 minutes and $20.
Fairy House
Add some houses to your fairy garden! Aren't these adorable? I especially love the mushroom painted lids.
Fall Mason Jar Centerpiece
See how easy it is to make this shabby chic fall centerpiece using mason jars. Plus find out how to make those cute burlap flowers!
Make a Santa Mason Jar Christmas Gift!
This painted Santa mason jar is such a cute Christmas gift idea! It also works as part of your holiday decor – and it’s very easy to make.
Snowman Mason Jar
A snowman mason jar is a quick and easy gift idea! This Christmas craft is also very budget friendly.
Pine Cone Flower Jars
These are perfect for fall! Find out how to make 'flowers' out of pinecones and use them to decorate mason jars.
Christmas Candles
This is a quick idea for a Christmas decoration or as part of a centerpiece! Easy to make, and budget friendly.
Painted Décor
For instant décor, choose one of these three ways to paint your mason jar – each just takes a few minutes.
Tiki Torches
This 5-minute project is so easy! Take your tiki torches up a notch by replacing them with mason jar torches.
Kitchen Canisters
Paint and label large mason jars for your kitchen. Such a pretty way to leave out ingredients you commonly use.
Map Lantern
Grab some map printouts and your Mod Podge, and make the cutest mason jar craft ever – a map lantern! This is such a fun and easy craft idea.
Chalkboard Toothbrush Holders
Yes, you could just use empty jars to hold your toothpaste and toothbrushes, but why not his & hers?
Jack O' Lantern
If you love pumpkins as much as I do, this pumpkin mason jar is a perfect fall idea. This jack o’ lantern is really easy to paint!
Did you enjoy these easy craft ideas? Let me know your favorite in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these additional posts:
- Yarn Crafts That Require No Skill to Make!
- Wooden Crate Decorating Ideas for Your Home
- DIY Pincushions That Will Up Your Sewing Game
- Best DIY Globe Projects in the Entire World
Linda @ it all started with paint
Wednesday 23rd of October 2013
Thanks so much for featuring my gold mason jars!!! :) Linda
Amy
Friday 10th of June 2022
@Linda @ it all started with paint, my pleasure!