I love the atmosphere that soft candles can create at a party. Today we're teaming with our friends over at Pentel to share a simple technique for creating lovely frosted candle jars with special details using their watercolors! 
Supplies Needed: Glue, Pentel watercolor set, a sponge, paint brushes and jars.
First, cover the jar in glue. I like to do one side at a time.
Next, use a sponge to spread the glue evenly over the jar. Allow it to dry completely and repeat the process, covering any shiny spot.
When the glue dries it will have a frosted look, like this!
Now it's detail time! Use your water color paints to create small, soft patterns with a paint brush. Add a different pattern to each jar. Think- dots, spots, stars, confetti, small shapes and stripes!
Enjoy your new frosted candles! The design will last as long as you don't get your votives wet. If you decide you want to reuse your jar in the future, just soak it in hot water and the glue and paint can be removed with a sponge. Try this for your next party! xo. Elsie
Credits// Author and Photography: Elsie Larson
80 Comments
I love Oui yogurt so have many of these small darling glass jars. Was trying to make something with pictures for my granddaughter’s wedding this weekend and don’t like working with etching cream. Wish I had known this, but hey…might make some Christmas gifts.
I used this on dollar store clear bowls. I needed some cheap bowls for a floral class so I put elmers glue on the bottom half and decoupaged silver and gold wrapping paper on the bottom half and added a gold ribbon I had gotten at a yard sale and they turned out beautiful.
Wow this is so pretty! it looks like a gloomy winter day! im so making this!
thnx for the amazing post dear <3
Jojo~ http://beautylishlife.blogspot.com/
Why is it shown with an array of watercolor tubes?….only white watercolor paint was used in the photos, corect? Has it been done with several water colors?
Oh! I had no idea that glue would work. I just made some of these with my kids as holiday gifts for their teachers but used glass frosting spray.
Thanks for the tip and Happy Christmas!
brilliant idea!
xxoo,
nikki
www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com
so cute! i love this idea!
Lary
www.lary-tales.blogspot.com
Whaaaat, I had no idea that frosting a jar was as simple as smearing some glue on it!! That’s GREAT to know!!
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
Well that’s friggen simple then isn’t it?! You pay 50c for a jar from the op shop, I can imagine this being a really cute DIY for brides to be who want to pay less for decorations. I am linking up with a bride magazine this month for really simple DIY’s to save money on wedding centerpieces…I won’t be copying this idea but it’s still a really great one to try out!
Adelle 🙂
Wow! This is SO awesome! Love this idea and I have so many jars left over from my wedding! I’m going to do this tomorrow I think for craft evening 🙂
Lulu xx
http://luluslittlewonderland.blogspot.com
I love these! Thank you !
OMG i just can’t believe this elsie replied me^^ just can’t stop smiling , i’m gonna tell all my friends now that my ideal just spoke to me , & thank you so much for all of your amazing beautiful diys, recipes & “mixology” , i’ll keep sharing with you things that i’ll make keeping you as my inspiration^^
Much love,
& i’m from Pakistan by the way,
So there are a lot of fans of your blog even in eastern countries ^^
& here’s this adorable photo i made using your abeautifulmess app, i took inspiration from your snaps where you wrote upcoming project sneak peeks on your pictures, it was so cool , i made one like that for my page^^:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=405014492958944&set=o.296680903792304&type=3&theater
Here’s another one I made using your app too^^:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=401988483261545&set=o.296680903792304&type=3&theater
& i did not knew you were at facebook, i’ll share your awesome work directly on my page now thank you so much! Your art has literally changed my life x>
xo,
Alee
Love this jar idea! Very cool way to create a frosty looking jar.
love,
Sherry
They are so pretty, I definetly want to try this at somepoint
These are so pretty and perfect for winter!
This is such a cute idea! What a great way to add a unique touch to ones’ home without breaking the bank, and they’re so classy too! I can definitely seeing this being useful for a private dinner or dinner party, very cute! Have a great one! -Iva
This is so cute & look so easy! I just moved into a new place and this looks like a great (and cheap!) DIY to do to get our home decorated.
xoxo
Taylor
www.welcomehometaylor.com
Lovely idea.
http://thinkworkandgo.blogspot.com/
Hello,
This looks gorgeous and wanting to try it ASAP. However, does the glue produce a smell when the candles are lit? Don’t fancy eau de PVA around the house.
Always enjoy reading your blog! It’s my favourite.
Ashley x
how cool! never thought of doing something like this with glue 🙂
xo, cheyenne
Such a wonderful idea, they look so pretty!
Happy Tuesday xoxo
http://www.intotheblonde.com/
Oh this is SO nice! The frosted glass creates a really romantic glow, and the additional designs using glue is a great idea! Loving this DIY!
This is genius. I love that you could make this out of such basic supplies. Beautiful!
That is a really great idea as to how to get a frosted look without using etching creams, this one is kiddo friendly. Thank you xo
I can’t wait to try this, but I think I’ll make it for makeup brushes instead of candles!
I love these! I always seem to gravitate towards the frosted glass and now I can make it myself. I never would have thought to use glue to get that frosted appearance. Thanks for another great idea!
Can’t wait to try this!!!!!!
Wow! So cool. I’ll have to try this. They came out so beautifully.
Too cute!
Christen
http://christenlouise.blogspot.com
This is a great DIY! So easy to do, could you use acrylic paint instead of water color?
www.ashleykiraand.wordpress.com
Love these! Cannot wait to give this a try! So simple too, I wasn’t expecting that 🙂
Thanks Elsie! I think this will be part of my family gift exchange =]
Looks amazing! I am going to try that!
Such an awesome DIY! I cannot wait to try this out – perhaps as gifts for girlfriends.
Sarah
Sweet Spontaneity
What a cool idea. Your jars look very pretty and festive. Perfect for temporary decorations.
Claire xx
http://somewhereyonder.blogspot.co.uk
How easy seem to be done
http://tarragonain.blogspot.com.es
Hi Alee! Your photo is SO cute! Thanks for commenting! It’s so nice to meet you!!!
elsie
Hi Andrea,
A matte sealer would probably be best, since a lot of sealers have a shiny finish! I haven’t tried it, but I would guess it has a great chance of working. 😀
elsie
Thank you Mery!!! 😀
elsie
Hi Maggie!
It does not melt if you use a small tea candle since they don’t produce much heat.
🙂 elsie
This is a great idea! I never thought of using glue for a frosted look.
http://howtomakehome.blogspot.com
I never knew glue looked like this on the jar!
http://talisatalksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/christmas-gift-guide-for-her.html
I love this! I just never know where to get mason jars!
Berterolli spaghetti jars are free “mason” jars you get every time you buy their sauce. Paul Newman’s sauce comes in similar glass jar.
Love this DIY ! I will do it, one day for sure. http://www.comedomenica.blogspot.com
This is such a sweet and simple idea! I love having lit candles on windowsills in the winter and this would be perfect
http://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/
Nice idea, I’ll try it!
Ahhh what an amazing idea, I think I will try this 🙂 x
It Looks wonderful
Great DIY 🙂
http://coco-colo.blogspot.de/
I can’t believe how simple this is! Great idea!
HOW CUTE ARE THEY!!!
love them!
molliebylett.blogspot.co.uk
xoxo
I love this idea and am totally going to try it out this year!!
Meghan xo
Beautiful!
Wow can’t believe how simple that is
Lauren
livinginaboxx
Ohhhh these look so lovely! Will try for sure!
xo, Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
Very nice tip.
xx
http://www.fashiondenis.com/
oh, i love this! what an easy gift, too!
What a great project!
http://momminimalistfashion.blogspot.com/
Hello elsie i’m such a huge fan of your work & your style, you’re my ideal, your blog has helped me to be inspired & stay motivated from last two years, until today i gutted up & decide to comment on one of your posts^^, i’m sending you link to your “floral love” photo which i loved so much that i decided to do my version of it^^, hope to hear from you soon
xo,
Alee
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=589885221060376&set=a.572168726165359.1073741829.100001167112775&type=3&theater
How sweet! What a fun, frosted look! 🙂
http://sometimesgracefully.com
These are so cute!
These are awesome!
I love the effect that the glue has on the jars! I think I’d prefer a stenciled image rather than the free-hand painting so they looked less homemade.
What a great idea with only a few materials needed! I will have to add this to my DIY ideas to try!
These are so cute. Lovely idea! xx
www.creativityandchocolate.com
What if I want the jar to be frosted permanently? Should I spray it with something?
I can’t believe you guys thought of that! So creative and adorable!
These are gorgeous! Now finally have something to do with the two jars that I have been saving!
So cool, who ever would of thought you could frost with elmers glue! I just frosted my windows with spray paint and I’m not too happy with the outcome! Wonder if this would of worked!?
So cute! Great easy holiday project. Lovely effect too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I love how you created the frost effect with white glue! I thought it would have been done with a frost spray, but white glue is more affordable. These could be so pretty with the different colors from Pentel. Great tutorial! 🙂
M.
What a cool tip! i Will definately try it!
How fun is this? LOve it!!! Thank you 🙂
I’m for sure going to try it, that’s a brilliant idea! I’m just in love with your blog, so good DIY’S 🙂 XX
This is such a beautiful idea, so so clever! x
holljc.blogspot.co.k
I’m curious if the heat from the candles melts the glue on the outside??
i never would have thought to use glue to create a frosted look, but it’s a brilliant suggestion!
xx
Great idea!
Wow I never would’ve guessed that was water color and glue. I’ve never seen watercolor like that!
Really nice, I will try !! Thank you Elsie !