DIY Beach Glass Jars & Bottles

It’s summertime, one of my favorite times to decorate.  I love the casual beach cottage look.  One thing that gives you that relaxed coastal feel is beach glass. You can find these bottles and jars in flea markets, thrift shops, online, etc. Or you can make your own. 



I have been hoarding collecting my old salsa and pasta sauce jars and glass bottles lately and this was the perfect project to get them out of the cabinet.  I have seen several blog posts about how to do this.  There were various methods shown from painting inside the bottle or jar, oven-baked paint, and using actual glass paint.  Some of them were absolutely amazing.  Some of them were not.  One thing I noticed is that they either looked totally transparent (like a blue Ball jar, which I do love) or were not translucent.  True “sea glass” is colored and catches the light but has a certain frostiness about it.



That’s what I wanted.  This is how I did it:

DIY Beach Glass

 

 

Supplies:

• Blue & Green Food Coloring ( I used the Neon colors from McCormick just because I like how intense the color is)
• School Glue
• Dish Liquid
• Water
• Paint Brush
• Glass Jars, Bottles, etc.

 

 

 

Directions:

• Start with clean, dry glass bottles and jars and prepare your workspace (put down some old newspaper or something!).

• Mix the school glue and water as if you were making homemade mod podge.  WHAT?  You don’t know how to make your own mod podge?  So easy!  Just mix 2-3 parts glue to 1 part water.  That’s it!

 

• Add a few drops of blue and green food coloring.  Add more blue or green depending on your preference.
• Add just a little dish liquid.  How much is just a little…well, not too much!

• Blend well. I just like to say that.  It makes me feel like I’m making some special recipe.

• Now, carefully paint the mixture onto the outside of the glass and let it dry.  Watch out for being too streaky or leaving drips.  Don’t worry, if you mess up – just wash  and start over.
• Enjoy!

One thing I should mention is you can put water inside for fresh flowers.  You just have to be VERY careful not to get it wet on the outside. 

Also, this is a great technique because there is no commitment.  Maybe during the summer you want pretty beach glass but during the fall you want jars to fill with Halloween candy or whatever.  Just wash and the jars are as good as new. 

They look great in a grouping or alone, in a windowsill, as a centerpiece, on a shelf, pretty much anywhere.

  







See, wasn't that easy (not to mention free if you have everything on hand)?  Go grab your bottles and jars and give them a new beachy look!

PS.  Scroll down for a list of places I link up to for some great parties!