Turning Glass into Something Magical
Have you ever almost passed something by… only to realize it had a little magic hidden inside?
That’s exactly what happens in this project. A plain glass jar turns into a softly glowing lantern with delicate imagery, raised clay details, and warm golden highlights. It’s one of those pieces that looks beautiful during the day—and even better once the lights come on.
Be sure to watch the full video tutorial below before getting started.
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Materials You Can Shop Here
You can shop the featured finishes and supplies below, then use the tutorial steps to bring the project together.
- Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish
- Polyvine Multi Surface Lacquer
- Dixie Belle Chalk Paint
- Flower Napkin
- Silicone Molds
- Air Dry Clay
- Adhesive
- Pentart Acrylic Paint
- Antiquing Medium
- Metallique Wax
- Brushes & Tools
Also Needed
Plain glass jar, alcohol wipe, soft cloth, fairy lights.
Step 1: Preparing the Glass Surface
The jar is first wiped clean with an alcohol pad to remove any oils or residue. Since glass is slick and non-porous, it’s coated with Polyvine Multi Surface Lacquer (Dead Flat).
This step is important—it removes shine and creates a gripping surface so paint and napkin layers adhere properly. For best results, the lacquer is left to dry overnight.
Step 2: Creating a Soft Translucent Base
To soften the clarity of the glass while still allowing light to shine through, Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Cotton is thinned with water and brushed onto the jar.
While still wet, the paint is gently dabbed with a soft cloth to remove most of it, leaving behind a hazy, translucent finish. This step brightens the napkin design without blocking the glow from inside.
Step 3: Applying the Napkin Design
A 3-ply napkin is separated, using only the printed top layer. The design is cut and positioned to wrap around the jar with minimal overlap.
Using Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish (Satin), the napkin is adhered by brushing varnish directly over the top. The varnish soaks through the thin napkin, bonding it to the surface without needing adhesive underneath.
A lightly misted plastic sheet is placed over the napkin and smoothed from the center outward to remove wrinkles and bubbles.
Step 4: Cleaning the Edges
Once dry, excess napkin is removed using medium-grit sandpaper. Sanding downward creates a crisp, clean edge without lifting the paper.
Another coat of varnish is applied to seal the napkin completely.
Step 5: Adding Clay Embellishments
Using Das air-dry clay, decorative mold pieces are created and frozen briefly for easy release.
The clay is attached while still damp using Aleene’s Tacky Glue, allowing it to conform naturally to the curved surface. Placement is carefully done over seams to hide them and create a continuous design.
The jar is left to dry overnight.
Step 6: Painting and Sealing the Details
Once dry, the clay embellishments are painted using Pentart paint in Hazelnut, chosen to complement the tones in the napkin design.
After painting, a coat of Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish is applied. This creates a smooth surface that’s ideal for antiquing.
Step 7: Antiquing for Depth
A custom antiquing mixture is created using FolkArt Antique Medium, black paint, and glazing medium.
This is brushed over the entire surface and wiped back immediately. The glaze settles into the crevices of the clay, bringing out every detail and giving the piece a dimensional, aged look.
Step 8: Final Protection
A final coat of Polyvine Heavy Duty Varnish is applied to protect all the layers and give the jar a durable finish.
Step 9: Adding Gold Highlights
For the finishing touch, Redesign Decor Wax in Eternal Gold is lightly applied to the raised areas.
The wax catches the top surfaces of the embellishments, adding a warm shimmer while leaving the recessed areas darker for contrast.
Step 10: Creating the Glow
Fairy lights are added inside the jar and secured under the lid, making sure the battery pack and switch remain accessible.
Once lit, the jar glows softly through the translucent paint and napkin design, highlighting all the layered details.
The finished piece feels warm, inviting, and just a little magical—proof that even the most overlooked item can become something special.
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