If you are looking for DIY gifts to give friends and family this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place! These candles are fun to make, and easy to do in a large batch to cover all your gift giving. Check out the supplies and instructions below. WHAT YOU NEED Mason jars (I like the […]

How to: Painted Mason Jar Scented Candles

WRITTEN BY:

SHARE

DIY

SARAH PETERSON

mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-8mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-5mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnsonmason-jar-lids-thesarahjohnsonIf you are looking for DIY gifts to give friends and family this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place! These candles are fun to make, and easy to do in a large batch to cover all your gift giving. Check out the supplies and instructions below.

WHAT YOU NEED

Mason jars (I like the bigger ones, more wax equals longer burn times!)

Wax (I used soy wax, but any kind of candle wax will do)

Candle wicks (be sure to get long enough ones!)

Candle wick stickers

Skewers (you’ll need these to center the wicks!)

Fragrance oil

Candle color dye (optional, you could just go with the natural color of the wax)

Paint (I used Behr Interior flat in an array of colors from Home Depot)

Paint brush (I love these)

Sandpaper

mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-6

 

Free Printable Daily Planner

Downloaded over 100,000 times! Get instant access to my 7 daily printables and start planning today.

Please wait…

THE INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cover your surface with newspapers and turn your mason jar upside down. Stir your paint so it’s mixed evenly and paint the first coat on the outside of the mason jar. The second coat of paint will even out any streaks, or try dabbing the paint on with your brush.
mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-9
mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-10

2. Paint a second coat once the first coat is dry, and let it dry for a few hours.

3. Once the mason jar is dry, place the wick sticker to the bottom of the wick, and stick to the inside bottom center of the jar. Do not cut the wick yet, leave it the full length.

4. Take a skewer and rest it across the top of the mouth of the mason jar. Wrap the excess wick once around it.  Adjust the wick so it travels up the center of the mason jar. The skewer helps hold the wick in place as the wax hardens. (For more details how to set this up, check out my votive candle DIY.)

5. In a double broiler, melt your wax. Once melted, remove from heat and add your fragrance oil. A common amount to use is 1oz per pound of wax. Often your wax will tell you how much fragrance oil it can hold, so check the label! Add the candle dye until you reach your desired color.

6. I let the wax cool slightly before pouring it, so it’s not so hot to work with. It won’t solidify that quickly, so you will have plenty of time to work with it. Carefully pour the wax into the mason jar while keeping the skewer with the wrapped wick in place. Once you fill the wax to the desired level, tighten the wick around the skewer again and be sure it’s in the center.

7. Let the wax harden.  Give it several hours. It might look hardened but the center might still be solidifying! So be patient.

8. When you are sure it’s cooled, you can remove the wick from the skewer and clip it to about 1/4″.

9. Take your sand paper and go over the textured, raised parts of the outside of the jar. I love how this looks because it creates a vintage aesthetic, and makes the paint look less flat and more dimensional. It also looks beautiful when you light the candle and the sanded parts glow more.

10. Optional step: print out round stickers for the mason jar lids. Include a cool graphic or a message to your candle receiver!

mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-11
mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-7
mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-2
mason-jar-painted-candle-DIY-thesarahjohnson-4

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a small commission if you purchase through my link. Please read full disclosure here.

LAST UPDATED:

Filed in:

December 2, 2015

Downloaded over 100,000 times! GET ACCESS NOW!

Free Printable Library

READ THE LATEST
Hey, I'm Sarah!

Designer, DIYer, & Deep Googler

I've always been infinitely curious on how the things I love are created. Whether it's a soap recipe, a beautiful piece of jewelry, or a jaw-drooping, drool-worthy interior... I have an persistent need to figure it out... and do it myself!

Learn more about me

PLANTER (for DIY CANDLE)

amazon

I love to turn planters into large DIY candles. It's my favorite gift to give. Everyone loves a huge multi-wick candle!

LABEL MAKER

amazon

When in doubt, label everything. I'm amazed at how long this little machine's batteries last.

"LOVE" ART PRINT

society 6

Got this one after my husband popped the question. It's how I feel when I'm with him!

FAUX FUR BLANKET

anthropologie

The coziest blanket you'll ever find. So good I gifted them in different colors to my beloved wedding guests!

FLAUNT PHONE CASE

FLAUNT.COM

Currently using this--it's the perfect shade of radiant orchid pink, and I love the square corners!

Fiberclay PLANTER SET

michaels

Scatter a cute planter set from Michael's around your home--it will make your decor feel cohesive.

SHEEPSKIN rug

etsy

I throw these everywhere... the floor, my work chair, the couch. They are 100% worth every penny.

IMITATION Pothos

michaels

Shhh... When I want my plants to cascade more, I add in an extension like this while they grow.

Bisley FILE CABINET

container store

I used two of these sleek Bisley cabinets under this delicious slab of wood to DIY my dream desk.

HANDMADE CERAMICS

calLahan ceramics

Sign up for alerts, it's almost impossible to purchase these beauties before they sell out!

MICRON black PENS

amazon

These are the only pens that let me write neatly. There's something magical about them! #01 is my fave size.

SOLID PERFUME STICKS

PERFUMIES.COM

Change the way you wear and carry perfume with these perfume sticks that fit in your pocket!

Fanny Pack // BELT BAG

shopbop

The fanny pack has officially changed my life for the better. No more big bag shoulder and back pain!

SCARF NECKLACE

mignonne gavigan

The most beautiful handmade accessories around. (I wore MG "Burst" earrings for my wedding!)

THRIFTED DESIGNER SCARF

thred up

Make money on clothes you no longer wear, and find designer goods (with tags still on!)

Storm Cloud Wall Art

anthropologie

Living in LA's perpetual sunny and 72 degree weather has made me LOVE clouds because I so rarely see them!

TILLANDSIA AIRPLANT

AMAZON

The most low maintenance plant on the market. Find a cool planter and plop it in. Mist every 2-3 weeks.

FLORAL Macbook case

etsy

I've cracked too many screens in my lifetime to not protect my devices. Love this feminine floral hard case.

Distressed Mirror

anthropologie

A mirror that looks like a moon? Make it a full moon everyday in your house!

GLUE GUN

amazon

Everyone (and I mean everyone) should go through life with a trusty glue gun by their side.

uline hair detangler

amazon

The best detangler I've found. I throw the travel size bottle in my gym bag, travel bag, and beach bag.

Silicone ALPHABET MOLD

amazon

These ABC molds allow for ample DIYs. Jello, melt and pour soaps, crayons... the fun really will never end!

fave white tee

amazon

My favorite white tee. Best cut v-neck, long in the body, high quality. (Why not get a few.)

THERMAL LABEL PRINTER

amazon

Print a lot of labels? Get this thermal printer and never buy an ink cartridge again.

e6000 GLUE

amazon

This is the glue that holds my life together. No really... I use it for everything.

Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens

amazon

100% my most favorite portrait lens. Do yourself a favor and add it to your cart immediately.

Caudalie BEAUTY elixir

amazon

This face mist instantly will make you feel more refreshed and awake after a few spritzes!

Candle Making Pitcher

amazon

Never buy a candle again! Use this to DIY your own (they smell better, burn longer, and save money).

singer sewing machine

amazon

This is the sewing machine I used to DIY my wedding dress! Easy to use, I recommend it to any level sewist.

photography backdrops

replica surfaces

I use these surfaces to shoot styled stock, product, and brand photos that need clean, realistic backgrounds.