Transform Old Glass Jars Into Colorful Lanterns With A Helpful Bathroom Staple

Do you have a habit of saving old glass jars because they might be good for "something," but that "something" never seems to materialize? You can certainly throw them into the recycling bin, but it still somehow feels wasteful. There must be some genius way to turn them into treasure! If you're starting to worry about being featured on an episode of "Hoarders," this project is for you. Merry Craft on YouTube demonstrates a brilliant way to transform plain old glass jars into beautiful lanterns that you can use anywhere in your home. The trick is using nail polish.

Have lots of nail polish stashed? Maybe you spotted a new color that you wanted, but after you tried it, you didn't like it as much as you thought you would. Or, if you recently had a special occasion to buy some new nail polish, which then got stashed and forgotten when the occasion was over, this bathroom staple stored in a shoebox under your sink is ready to be used again in this DIY.

The creator shows how to make a stained-glass look on jars, fast and easy, with that old nail polish. Almost anyone can do this project with minimal supplies that you probably already have at home. So grab that shoebox, some jars, yarn, tape, a bowl of water, toothpicks, and a hot glue gun, because even if you've never made a craft before, this one is simple, fun, and colorful.

Decorating glass jars with nail polish is simple, fun, and addictive. First, choose a large bowl that you don't need for anything else, or one that is disposable for this project. Make sure it's large enough to fit the jars you've selected, and fill it with warm water to keep the nail polish from hardening. Then, take a clean jar and tape over the mouth securely so no water can get inside. You may also wish to tape the bottom so you can add a yarn base later.

Now, drizzle two or three colors of nail polish that will look good together into the water. Using a toothpick, swirl the colors on the top of the water. Holding the jar on the taped areas, roll or dip it through the top of the water, gathering color onto the glass. Set it aside to dry on a protected surface, and then remove the tape. Next, use hot glue to make a base from yarn, as well as wrap the top threads of the jar. Make a handle, add some battery-operated fairy lights or an LED candle, and you have a pretty lantern!

Other creative options include adding a bit of faux greenery or flowers to each jar or using lace, ribbon, or twine instead of yarn to cover the top and bottom sections. Or change the lantern's shape and transform thrifted glassware, like old wine glasses, in a similar way. Vases or even old bottles could be upgraded using the same method.