Transform Ordinary Glass Jars Into Unique Whimsical Lanterns With Old Crayons

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Though Venetian craftsmen started crackling glass items in the 16th century, they didn't become a crowd-favorite until the late 20th century. Today, you'd be lucky to find these prized glass items at estate sales and thrift shops. If you're a fan of their sparkling, smooth surface as well as webbed appearance, you'll have to search high and low for something that catches your eye or pay exorbitant rates to own a vintage piece. In case you don't like either option, give your glass jars and vases a stunning vintage makeover without a drop of paint. Simply use some of your old crayons to mimic the crackle effect and craft a unique lantern.

With this idea, you can customize the colors and define the level of cracks you'd like to see in the finished product. Plus, you won't have to dedicate a lot of time or effort to the cause. It's eco-friendly, too, since you can repurpose any old glass jar into dreamy decor. For this DIY, you'll need a little bit of polyurethane sealer, such as Varathane's Water-Based Crystal-Clear one, or polycrylic sealer, like the one from Minwax on Amazon. You'll also need a thin-bristled paint brush and some fine glitter for the sparkling effect. But if the sealer or glitter is unavailable or beyond your budget, use just glitter glue instead. Either way, you'll need a clear protective spray to make your lantern moisture-proof. It's best if you opt for an engine enamel spray, like the Dupli-Color High Gloss one. This is because they're formulated to withstand high temperatures and will offer maximum protection to your lantern. Moreover, don't insert anything beyond tealights (LED candles are fine, though), or the waxy crayon might melt right off.

Start by giving your glass jar a soapy water bath and dry it completely before using. For best results, wipe its exterior with an alcohol-based wipe. This will allow your crayons to adhere better to the surface. With this out of the way, grab your crayon and let your inner child free (definitely involve your kids here if they love drawing on the walls) and draw lines all over the jar. Don't worry about them being straight or pretty. Just focus on covering the glass surface from top to bottom. You can even use two or more colors for a unique finish.

When you're done, pour a bit of sealer into a glass bowl and sprinkle in a bit of glitter — it's best if it matches or complements the crayon(s) you use. And if you wish to DIY a colored lantern, add in a few drops of gel food coloring to the sealant to achieve this look. Mix it all together, dip your paint brush, and lightly coat the jar. Let it dry and then draw on it again with your crayon(s) before sealing it once more. Repeat this process till you're satisfied with the crackle effect. Seems like too much work? A single coat of glitter glue will work, too, provided you apply it in a crisscross manner. Give your jar a thick coat for chunky cracks or stick with a thin coat for fine webs. Finally, seal your lantern with a coat of engine enamel spray before inserting a tealight. For a dramatic look, place a few decorative rocks under your tealight (or LED fairy light or candle). You can even pour in a little bit of water so it seems like it's floating.