Transform Old Mason Jars Into A One-Of-A-Kind Home Decor Piece

You don't have to be a crafting expert to know that Mason jars are excellent for home decor projects. In fact, it's even possible to turn one into a stunning room-lighting feature. But have you ever thought about making mini aquariums out of your old Mason jars? Don't worry, there aren't any real fish involved. It's a whimsical DIY where you fill the containers with items from "under the sea" — such as rocks, faux plants, and plastic creatures — along with water. Despite being budget-friendly, the end results can be quite dazzling to look at. Plus, this project can be enjoyable for both children and the young at heart.

To craft a miniature aquarium, you'll need both the Mason jar and its lid. Gather a few old ones if you want to spread them out around the house or make a big nautical display. Since the project uses supplies like faux fish, it might not blend in with typical rustic beach decor. Think of it more as an aquarium on the adorable side. Pick out substrate for the bottom of the jar, such as sand, pebbles, or this Marina Decorative Gravel. To bring it to life, grab additions like these Ameliade Aquarium Plastic Plants and Funcorn Toys Ocean Sea Animals. You'll also need invisible nylon thread, water, blue food coloring, hot glue, and glycerin (which is optional).

Start by squeezing hot glue onto the bottom of your plastic plant, then stick it inside the jar. Pour in the rock material to create the seabed. Next, tie short strands of invisible thread around a fish or two and glue the remaining ends to the underside of the jar lid. This step will help create the illusion that they're swimming in the aquarium. You can also drop in a couple of creatures to sit on top of the rocks. 

Once that's done, mix water and a few drops of blue food coloring in a separate container. For a slow-moving water effect, combine a little bit of the glycerin as well. Add the water mixture to the Mason jar, filling it up. Finally, twist the lid on and allow the fish to dangle in your DIY aquarium. You'll now have one-of-a-kind decor to display anywhere that needs a touch of whimsy. Set it on a windowsill so the light shines through. Or, if you're looking for kids' bathroom ideas that are cute as a button, place it near their sink.

Make multiple versions to have different nautical worlds — switching up the creatures, substrate, and plants. You could also use natural materials like seashells or sprinkle in glitter so that when you swirl the aquariums, there's extra magic. Another option is to brighten them up by gluing small lights, like these KOABY Waterproof Flameless Submersible Lights, to the bottom of the Mason jar lids. It'd be a neat way to raise the ambiance on a patio at night or if you're using the aquariums as centerpieces during a shindig.