Mason jars are all the rage for home decoration. There are a million ways you can decorate with them and here I’ll show you a Fall craft that even your kids can take a stab at. This decoupaged mason jar project cost me less than $5. I always have the Mod Podge on hand, and the mason jars only cost me a dollar each from my local Dollar Tree. These Autumn leaves aren’t real, but try using real leaves too. I find that faux leaves work better because the decoupage medium soaks through the fabric leaf, allowing for easier application. I purchased the pack of fake leaves from the dollar store as well. If you know how to decoupage, you know how to do this project! It may take some time, but this craft makes great Autumn decor for the home.
A sponge brush is optional for this project, as some people tend to just use their fingers to apply. Personally, I like using a sponge brush over a paint brush, and I also use my fingers when necessary. First, make sure the outside of your jar is clean. Wipe it gently with rubbing alcohol to get any grease and grime off the outside of the jar. The leaves won’t stick if the jar is oily or dirty. Then make sure your leaves are malleable. Bend them a little bit to loosen them up. Stiff leaves won’t stick either. If they are thin, fabric leaves, they should easily form around the jar. If they are real leaves, you may want to dampen them slightly (almost the way leaves become after it rains) to unstiffen them. You can also iron fabric leaves as well to loosen the fibers.
To decoupage, dip your brush in the Mod Podge and paint a thin layer on a section of the jar. Once that layer becomes quite sticky (check by dabbing your finger on it), place a leaf on the jar. Paint more Mod Podge on top of the leaf in thin layers, making sure to smooth out the edges. Start in the center of the leaf, and push your way out to the edges with your fingers. It may take a few layers, but the leaf should stick to the jar. I had to press a few times to get the leaves to stick; but as the Mod Podge dries, it should.
Don’t be afraid to use your fingers to smooth out the leaf so that it is fully secure. Layer more leaves on top, filling the jar with as many as you desire. I didn’t cover my jar fully, as I liked some of the negative space in between the leaves. Once all the leaves are on, it will take a few hours to dry completely. The tiny edges of the leaves may not stay completely down, but when the look is complete, you may barely even notice.
Finish off the top of the jar with rafia or ribbon to complete the look. Place a candle inside and watch it light the room with beautiful orange, red and green fall colors!
Some tips for completing:
Some tips for completing:
- Don’t try to get too perfect with laying the leaves down. Leaves by nature have imperfections and it looks more rustic when all the corners are not completely flush against the jar.
- If you’re pulling your hair out with getting them to stick, an alternative option is to cut out pieces of napkin (that have leaf designs on them); napkins are much easier to adhere.
- Dampen or iron your leaves before you adhere them so they become more malleable.
- Let the Mod Podge become very tacky to the touch before applying the leaves. Also, if needed pull off the plastic veins on faux leaves to help them lay better. (The leaves used in this craft don’t have a plastic spine)
- Use your fingers. It helps when trying to mold the leaf around the jar.
- You shouldn’t need to but if you’re concerned about falling leaves, spray the jar with a clear varnish, when you’re done to seal it.
- I don’t like to use Ball mason jars for this craft- the ridges on them won’t allow the leaves to lay flat. This is why I chose a plain jar from the dollar store.
An alternative option to Mod Podge is hot glue. See how we used it here below:
69 comments
I left a message the other day & can’t find it now. having a hard time with this project & need to see if anyone has any suggestions. Cannot get the leaves to stick. Have tried all the suggestions & some of them are just sticking out. Ironed them, crinkled them, etc, but nothing seems to work.
Hi Kelli,
Sorry to hear this isn’t working to well for you. Are you using real leaves? Try using a spray adhesive if the Mod Podge doesn’t work. I’ve also used hot glue to get them to stick. I’m going to add another photo that used hot glue instead of Mod Podge. But when we did it, we realized that the leaves don’t lay completely flat, just flat enough to get the idea. Also, make sure the leaves are completely dry before adhering.
Thanks,
Alicia
The finished product is great, really cute, its such a good idea. Using mod podge was such a pain, the leaves refused to stay. It’s a lot easier and faster to use a hot glue gun.
I cheated. I wet down the faux leaves and pressed them quickly to flatten them (not sure this part is necessary). Then I sprayed their backs with 3m adhesive spray and applied them. I only did a few at a time. You will need fingernail polish remover on hand to get the glue off fingers, unless you are less messy than me. I had a set of tweezers to use, but lost those in the grass before I got going. It worked like a charm. The adhesive will hold better than hot glue, they lay flat, and the jars are beautiful.
Thanks for the idea. I will be making some to take to my daughters for Thanksgiving.
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No, I’m not using real leaves. I’m using ones from a package from the Dollar Tree, but now that I’m done, I really like it. I think I have about a pound of Mod Podge on the jar, but tried it with a candle & it looks really pretty. I saw someone had suggested glueing them down with hot glue beforehand. Do you suggest that?
Hot glue is a great alternative! And it’s quicker to complete using it.
Thanks!
Alicia
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Hot glue worked perfectly. Sorry I didn’t see that in your comment before I added mine, but thanks for the help! They are beautiful!
Glad it worked for you! 🙂
Thanks,
Alicia
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I tried this and didn’t like the fact u can see the mod podge in the negative spaces…it looks cloudy/yucky. Any tips on how to make it look a little better?
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Hello! My name is Mindy, and I have a YouRube channel called “It’s the Sanders”. I’m also filming videos to start another mommy channel and I wanted to request your permission to show how to do this lovely project you’ve created. I would share how to do it, then film my kids doing it with me and share that I got it from this website. I would also link your site in the description box for viewers to be connected directly to your site. I would not be paying you, but would be offering viewers the opportunity to check out your site and thus hopefully driving some traffic your way. Would that be something you’d be comfortable with? My email is itsthesandersfamily@gmail.com. Thank you for your time! Take care!
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I blasted each leaf with my hair dryer and that helped the mod podge set up.
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I was doing this project because I paid $10 at a gift shop and went home to figure out how to do it. I am using them for a bridal shower at work for 2 girls. This is how I did it. I went to my garden and picked flowers that had fall colors and pulled out the pedals she loves me she loves me not. Then using a paint brush stuck them on bright side up they were small so I could push them around while they were wet. I couldn’t find any leaves that would stick . They were too thick. Has anyone tried to shrink wrap them on? The ones in the store had a clear finish on it like tape.
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I would love to use this DIY as a craft station for the holidays, it seems pretty simple and charming!
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So glad to see others having trouble with the ModPodge. I gave up on mine for this year , but will give it another go next year with either hot glue or the 3M spray adhesive. Using glass pint jars. They are so pretty online. Thank you for the inspiration.
Amazing! I never thought of using dried leaves for decoupage. I made some Decoupage not3e books using rice paper for Christmas gifts for my family and friends. If anyone is interested, we just finished our video Basic Decoupage Tutorial for Beginners. Take a look and share if you like >> https://youtu.be/6G7uZvuTsFs
This is a beautiful project. It was shared along with your full tutorial on my local news station – you can check it out here http://www.khq.com/clip/11876167/pinland-empire-fall-candle-holders
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I really like the look of these mason jars! They would look perfect with a little candle inside. There are so many different kinds of tea candle light holders and my wife is starting to collect some. I never knew that they were so popular! Thanks for the information!
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Hello how long does the color in the leaves last? I would like to use this idea for a centerpiece for my wedding next year.. will the color stay in the leaves?
Hi Lindsay! I actually made these mason jars back in 2013. It’s now 2017 and they are still sitting on my craft shelf in full color! I haven’t seen a change over time at all in the color. I think, to be even more sure, if you seal it with a clear varnish spray after you adhere them, it should do fine. Happy crafting!
Thank you!!!
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What type of candle is used in the jars? I was thinking of using tea lights, but the lady at the craft store said it might get too hot and unstick the leaves from jar since they’ll be lit for my reception of about 5hrs.
Also, could you put coffee beans or some type of glass pebbles (like in the game mancala) underneath the candle?
Hi Candace,
We used fake tea lights in the jars, but you could use real tea lights or votives. The fishbowl vases would definitely have fake tea lights since the leaves come over the top a bit. Glass beads or coffee beans would be a great idea inside, but you would need to put the votive candle in a separate, smaller candle holder first- then put it inside the mason jar so the wax doesn’t get all over the filler.
Thanks!
Alicia
Place a votive candle inside. I recommend placing the votive candle or tea light within its own small votive glass holder, and then lower this into the jar. That way, when the candle wax melts, it isn’t all inside your decoupage leaf jar and only inside the votive candle cup.