DIY: Turn Jars Into Snowy Winter Candleholders
Is it too early for winter projects? I hope not, because I have a really easy one for you today! And when I say “really easy”, I mean that anyone can do this, and it takes just minutes. It took me about 20 minutes to gather my supplies and make these two snowy winter candleholders, and it just takes glass jars, painters tape, Mod Podge, and Epsom salt.
First I taped off my design. Of course, you can do any type of design, but I chose to stick with very simple, very easy stripes on the tall jar. On the small one, I didn’t want any design at all.
I used a paint brush and applied a generous amount of Mod Podge all over the jar.
And then I sprinkled the whole thing with Epsom salt. I removed the tape before the glue dried.
Quick, easy, and pretty. In dim light, the light from the candles makes the Epsom salt glimmer beautifully.
I think these look great on their own, but I also think they’d look beautiful incorporated into a winter tablescape.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Gorgeous! Love the striped one!
Beautiful. I’ll be making some of these for winter tablescape.
They look lovely. Going to make them for sure…thanks for the inspiration.
Absolutely beautiful! I love them, Kristi!
LOVE the stripped candle holder. I plan on doing this soon as gifts. Thanks for sharing!
These look amazing Kristi! Love the stripes!! 😉
Love them – a row of them along a walkway would be amazing!
Kelly
What a great idea! And so easy too. Thanks for the tutorial!
Way to go, with another easy project. I’ve been wanting to do something shimmery and wintery with epsom salts since reading about how easy they are to work with. Thanks for the idea.
Very pretty.
I’ll bet they would look great using glitter. I think fall colors would be pretty too.
Cute! I have been thinking about what to do with all my clear glass vases, I do not know how I ended up with so many. This is a great idea.
These are so simple but so elegant. Why can’t I use my brain & figure these things out? lol But thank goodness for you! Surely do appreciate all of your gorgeous inspirations – they keep me going and they give me faith in myself. Thanks again and you have such great talent!!!!!
Would love to do some of these for gifts but how well does the Epsom Salts stay on the jars – worried that it will come off when wrapped and unwrapped??? – but GREAT IDEA!
Thanks.
I think it would probably be okay if you just put a layer of bubble wrap around it.
These are probably questions but here goes …can they be washed? If not, can it be reapplied if washed? Also, do you have to use a certain kind of glass to put a candle in it?
No, it can’t be washed. It’s probably one of those things you’d use for one season only. And any glass jars should be able to hold a candle. Just be sure that the flame isn’t right up against the glass.
Hello i love this idea! I did a wine bottle and my question is, can you use clear coat spray to keep the salt from falling off? How long will the salt last?
I had a wreath that I used salt on, and it lasted me one winter season and still looked great. It lasted longer than that, but I gave it away, so I don’t know how or if it’s holding up now.
You can try the clear coat, but I would imagine any kind of clear coat will reduce the sparkle of the salt.
What about using something like sand instead of epsom salt would the sand stay in place so you could wash them ?
Thanks! I love these and wil have to share!
If I did this on a hurricane, but didn’t want it to be permanent, how would I remove the ModPodge later?
Just soak it in warm water and it’ll come off. 🙂 You have to top coat Mod Podge in order to make it waterproof, so as long as you just use Mod Podge and salt, it’ll come off later.
How well would this be on plastic containers to put “Christmas Candy” in, or wine glasses?
I wouldn’t use it on any thing that will be handled a great deal. But if you’d like to try it, you would have to coat it with a waterproof sealer after the Mod Podge has dried. But Mod Podge on its own isn’t waterproof, and it’ll come off of glass quite easily under warm water.
This is something I can do! They will look great in a variety of sizes on my mantle. Thanks Kristi!
These are beautiful!!!
I’ve done the same sort of thing using one ply of a decorative napkin. Glue it to a jar or florist vase then sprinkling with clear glitter. Makes great gifts!
My God, do you ever sleep. Your brain is on overdrive. Bravo. Beautiful for Christmas
For sure I will be doing this! Thank you for the idea. Never too early for the holidays 🙂
Hugs
Im curious if anyone has tried to color Epsom salt? I would love to try different colors!
Evidently you can dye it with food coloring. I just googled it, and there were lots of different sources. That would be very pretty on this project!
I just did a jar craft project on my blog and then I see this- very cool. I am impressed with all your creativity. I’m in Italy would Mod Podge be the same as a water-based glue?
The section on changes in use of dressers is fantastic.
cheers
Evidently you can make Mod Podge with glue and water: http://www.babblingsandmore.com/2011/10/homemade-mod-podge.html
Love these ideas. I’ve used jars before as candle holders and I’ve always loved the look.
I love your site. I view it constantly. I think you’re an amazing decorator and a creative genius. I made the snowy candle holders for Christmas gifts. Thanks!
Those are so unique, I know Christmas is over but I am so inspired to try this, they are so wintery looking you can use these until spring! Very nice job indeed!!
I was going to make these for a gift. The store I went to didn’t have mod podge..I tried to substitute. Spray adhesive doesn’t work so well. I had a good soak with the Epsom salt though!
Hi,
I have been making these in baby food jars for a while now, however they are not as pretty, i love your idea with the tape.
How do you manage to stop the epson salts from drying out and turning white?
I’m not sure. I’ve never had a problem with Epsom salt drying out and turning white. Perhaps because of the humidity here.
Can you use glitter in the Epson salts instead of food coloring?
Sure. I don’t see why not.
I made these last year with my granddaughter. We colored the epsom salts with drops of food coloring. They turned out very pretty. BUT the salt has now turned white and fallen off the jars – perhaps because I do live in a VERY humid climate. Next time I’m going to try to seal the salt – maybe spray polyurethane?
I plan on doing this for a banquet, but I would like to know what grain of Epsom salt did you use. I comes in coarse, medium, fine and ultra fine. Which did you use? Need answer fast because I have a lot to do and short on time.
Thanks
Yikes! I actually have no idea. It wasn’t as fine as table salt. But it wasn’t as course as Sugar In The Raw. Somewhere in between. So maybe medium or fine?
waar vind ik die Epsom zout en die Mod Podge kol
ben al overal gaan kijken maar hier kenen ze het niet
Did you ground up the epsom salt or was it already that granular
LOVE!!!! And…surprise!!!! Epsom salt? Go figure….wow!!!
Made these with my special ed class of k – 5 kids. We had a great time painting on the glue (sorry no hodge podge here), sprinkling on the epsom salts. We let them dry and I hot glued a ribbon around the top. We are using the small flickering battery powered candles. They are darling for Christmas presents for the families. THANKS!
Are the candles actually sitting in the Epsom Salts too. That is a brilliant idea. I am definitely going to save my empty jars now. Thank for your brillience !
I saw this on fb last year and used it as inspiration for our wedding centerpieces. They turned out great! We added a few touches on the inside, layering thin fabric, gems, and a glittery rose, and velcroed a fake tea light to the lid (which we Epsom salted the lid also), but none of it would have been the same without this inspirational DIY! Thanks so much!
How did you get the salt to stay on and not flake off when thigh touched the jar? I am using it for table decorations as well but the salt falls off if I touch it. I have been using spray adhesive, does using modge podge realty make a difference?
Mod Podge and spray adhesive are two very different things. You need to use Mod Podge.
After i put the salt on, do i put the modge podge over it?
How do you light a votive candle in the bottom of a tall jar? With a long match???
A long handle lighter –> http://amzn.to/2dOoAUQ*
Beautiful, lovely, thank you!
These would be so inexpensive, easy, and beautiful for a winter wedding too. Thanks for the idea!
I loved this and thought it would be a good craft for our women’s ministries Christmas cookie exchange; however the epsom salt comes off when touched. I Used Mod Podge. Am I the only one with this problem?