Christmas Candle Holders… I want to help you rock this project Everyone loves Mason Jars. They have tons of uses. They can look so pretty while being so functional. By following these instruction… You will rock these simple painted Christmas Candle Holders.
Christmas Candle Holders Supply List
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- Glass Jar of Choice -We used Quart Glass Mason Style Jars
- Dixie Belle Paint color of choice
- Fall Vinyl Decals of Choice (We have these in our Etsy shop: Winter Themed Decals
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Paper Towels
- Optional: Painter’s Tape
- Medium Paint Brush
- Metal Pick or straight pin
- Dixie Belle Matte Top Coat (optional)
- Raffia or Jute Twine
- Tea Lights – Real or Battery Operated
Step By Step Instructions
So… let’s get started making these Painted Mason Jars. Who couldn’t resist such cute mason jars. They make the perfect painted Christmas Candle Holders.
I start with a mason style quart jar with at least one smooth side. Choosing a jar with at least one smooth side makes it much easier to get your decal on your jar. You want all the edges as smooth and snug on the jar as possible so there is no bleeding of paint under the decal. If you try to put them on over any raised wording on the jar, you are not as likely to get a good seal to prevent bleeding paint.
For these instructions, we are going to assume you are using decals purchased from our Etsy shop here: Winter Themed Decals. I position it so it will lay approximately 1 inch from the bottom edge of the jar. You can have it straight up on the jar or turn it to an angle if you choose. It does not have to stay just like I show in our pictures.
What’s next???
To apply the decal, remove the backing, smooth into place, and then remove the top tape. You can also use a piece of painters tape to hold it in place while you remove the backing. I like using the painter’s tape to keep it from shifting out of place. It just takes some of the frustration out of the equation. Any time I can remove frustration from my life is good…. right???
Make sure all your edges are laying nice and flat. I smooth them with my finger tips and press down on any spots that might be bubbling up.
What Paint to Use for Your Christmas Candle Holders??
Now to get started painting. I use my beloved Dixie Belle Paint for these painted Christmas Candle Holders. It is a chalk type paint and I love it. It is soap and water clean up, VOC free, low to no odor, and just the perfect choice for this painted mason jar project and so many other projects. There are currently 64 colors to choose from but they are always adding new colors. I talk about the paint I use in this post about Dixie Belle Paint.
Ready to Paint Your Christmas Candle Holders??
I like to use a medium size artist paint brush or a good chip brush to paint the jars. Keep in mind that most painted jars are more distressed looking so you don’t need to stress about getting super full coverage. See there…. no frustration here… I take the easy road ya know when it comes to frustration. Cut it off at the pass I say. Prepare myself ahead of time. My goal is the perfectly distressed look.
I do put two coats of paint on my jars. No more. Just two coats. And not heavy layers either. Nice thin, even coats. I stick my hand inside the jar and then start with the rim of the jar. Try not to keep going over and over the same spot. It can tend to pull up the paint you just laid down if you do that. Then I paint the sides. I paint with nice smooth up and down strokes. Going with the height of the jar. I then set the jar down on it’s rim and paint the bottom of the jar.
Let this first coat dry well. At least 30 to 60 minutes. Then paint a second coat on in the same manner as the first coat. Again, try not to go over and over the same spot. Avoid doing that as best as possible as it tends to lift the paint back up.
Now for the REVEAL!!!
Once that second coat is dry, you are ready to pull off the vinyl decal. You do have to be a little careful with this step. I have metal picks that I purchased at the hardware store similar to this Pick and Hook Set or you can use a straight pin or an X-acto Knife. I usually pick from the inside out…. But you might find it easier to pick at the edge of the decal. One thing I caution is to not lift paint with the decal. If you get your paint on too thick, this can happen. It will give you jagged edges instead of nice smooth edges. Just go at it slow and watch things carefully.
Once you have the decal off, you may decide to put a coat of clear, flat sealer over the jar. This step is optional. It really is a personal preference. You might also want to do a little distressing with some sandpaper or a nail file. It really depends on the look you are going for.
To finish them off, I like to tie either Natural Raffia or some Jute Twine. I think this makes them look perfect for table decoration. I like to sit them on top of candle sticks to give them a nice staggered look for the centerpiece of a table.
What to put inside your Christmas Candle Holders???
The ideas are endless when it comes to what to put inside these simple painted Christmas candle holders. I put Epsom salts on the inside to set the tea light on. I thought the Epsom salts looked a lot like snow. Battery operated tea lights are safer if you plan to make these to sell at a craft fair. You could use those dried cranberries or a potpourri mixture inside to set the battery tea light on. I like putting something in the bottom of the jar to raise the tea light up a little.
I would love to see pictures if you make these.
If you enjoyed this project you may enjoy our Fall Painted Candle Holders post .
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