Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Surface
Wipe your mason jar clean with an alcohol wipe. Brush on Polyvine Multi-Surface Lacquer in Dead Flat to remove the gloss. This creates the perfect surface for your paint and adhesive to grip without peeling later.
Step 2: Paint a Clean Base
Use Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in the color “Cotton” to coat the jar, avoiding the threaded rim so the lid fits properly. A white base will keep your rice paper image bright and crisp.
Step 3: Choose and Prepare Your Rice Paper
Select a rice paper with multiple images. Donna chose the sheet with the castle design—part of a four-image set. Tear (don’t cut!) around the image and use a water brush to feather the edges.
Step 4: Apply Your Decoupage Image
Mist the rice paper with water, then use Polyvine Decorators Varnish to adhere it to the jar. Add small tears to the top and bottom of the image to help it lay flat on the curved glass.
Step 5: Paint Around the Image
Using a sponge dauber, apply a tan-colored paint around the rice paper, creating a textured blend. Use extra swirly bits from the rice paper design to soften the edge where the paper meets the background.
Step 6: Mix Custom Colors
Donna mixed Pentart paints (Country Blue, Pine Green, Turquoise, Black) to match tones in the rice paper. Feel free to experiment to create complementary shades.
Step 7: Add Stenciled Texture
Mix a bit of texture paste into your custom paint to thicken it. Apply through a stencil using a palette knife. This adds raised, decorative interest to the painted areas.
Step 8: Mold and Attach Embellishments
Use a Re-Design mold from our store filled with Das air-dry clay to create your decorative figure. Donna chose a dog dressed like royalty to match her castle image. Freeze the mold for 20 minutes to get a clean release. Attach with Aileen’s Tacky Glue.
Step 9: Paint the Details
Paint the molded clay with Pentart Pine Green for ivy, Country Blue and Navy for the coat and hat, Dark Sand for fur, and Gold for the trim. Dry brush yellow over the ivy for a natural highlight.
Step 10: Add a Crackle Finish
Brush on Pentart Fineline Crackle Varnish in two parts over the decoupage image. After drying, rub in Pentart Antique Paste to highlight the cracks for a vintage porcelain look.
Step 11: Seal the Surface
Apply a solvent-based gloss varnish (like Winsor & Newton) over the entire piece. This seals and protects the clay and paint before you antique further.
Step 12: Final Antique Effects
Rub Pentart Antique Paste into all the cracks and molded details. Wipe away excess with a soft, dry cloth. This brings out every line and adds depth.
Step 13: Highlight with Decor Wax
Using your finger, rub on Decor Wax in Eternal gold over raised areas and the coin slot lid. This adds elegance and a light-catching shimmer.
Step 14: Finishing Touches
Slip on your painted coin lid and add a navy satin ribbon for a final flourish. Now your jar is fit for coins and compliments alike!
We hope this tutorial inspires you to try something new with your mason jars. Huge thanks to Donna at Mason Creations etc. for sharing her creativity and expertise with us.
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Happy crafting!
