Santa Jar Luminary Tutorial

Here is another easy tutorial just in time for the holidays.

Here is what you will need:

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  Some Mod Podge
  
  
  
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  A stain or brown paint
  
  
  
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  A clear sealer
  
  
  
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  Some wrapping paper scraps or tissue paper and/or napkins
  
  
  
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  A picture of Santa or snowman ect.
  
  
  

To begin first clean the outside of your jar to make sure there is no residue or dirt on it. Your paper will not stick properly if it has dirt on it. Once you have finished cleaning the outside place the Mod Podge on the back of your Santa picture. Place the picture onto the jar. Then once semi-dry place a coat of Mod Podge on top of it to give it a good protective coating.

Next take your wrapping paper or napkins and rip them into pieces. I usually rip as I go because it is hard to tell how everything will fit on the jar. Once you have your pieces begin painting the backs of them with Mod Podge and place on and around you jar. It doesn't have to be perfect. But I like to use the jagged edge pieces because the give a softer touch rather then the straight line ones. Once finished covering your jar with the paper you will need to stain the pieces to give it that old look. I used Minwax Provincial 211. Take your stain and dip your cloth into it. Dab some off onto another cloth to get the excess off. Then carfully rub your stain onto the jar. I find that some wrapping paper has a slight coating and you may have to put more of the stain on those pieces. But once you have rubbed your stain on take another cloth and rub some of it off.  If you prefer, you can use brown paint instead.  Just water it down and rub it on and wipe it off just as you would the stain. You may want to experiment on some extra pieces to see how the stain will take. But once you have it to your liking put another coat of Mod Podge on once it dries. Then once that dries I usually spray it with some clear sealer. And there you have it. Your own jar luminary. Enjoy!

WORD OF CAUTION! I WOULD NOT PUT A REAL CANDLE IN THESE JARS. PLEASE USE WITH BATTERY OPERATED ONES! NO ONE WANTS A BURNT HOUSE.