Create some beautiful easy to make Fall Luminaries using a few simple supplies and recycled glass jars. This fun project even includes a free pattern! Make something lovely for your Fall decor!

Fall is here and it is time to add a few fall colors to your home decor. These easy-to-make Fall Luminaries using recycled jars and a bit of Mod Podge and food coloring certainly will add a great touch to your home. This is Suzy from SuzysSitcom, and I’d love to share this fun project with you!

I love using this glass staining technique. It involves Mod Podge and food coloring, takes very little time, and the result is just beautiful! No brush strokes, not a lot of mess. The finished luminaries can be used with battery-operated tea lights or even real candles. Maybe pumpkin-scented candles? Well, certainly!

I’ve been doing a bit of canning on the farm this summer, so I have lots of leftover glass jars just calling my name. As a crafter, things just can’t sit around looking plain. I grabbed some supplies and a few of my smaller glass jars and went to work!

How to Make Fall Luminaries

Grab a few clean recycled glass jars for this project. I used small mason jars, but any type of glass jar will work. This is a fun project that can be completed in an afternoon. To add a touch of fanciness to the luminaries, I’ve even included three free patterns. You can use these patterns or even create your own design as you go

The entire tutorial is in a printable card at the bottom of this post. But first, here is a little bit of info about the tools and supplies you’ll need.

Supplies you need if you want to make fall luminaries - glass mason jars, Mod Podge, food coloring, and battery-operated tea lights

Supplies Needed:

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Clean Glass Jars
Mod Podge Hard Coat
Liquid Food Coloring
Sharpies (Or Permanent Markers)
Battery Operated Tea Lights (or candles)
Disposable containers (for mixing colors)
Fall Luminary Pattern

Fall Luminaries Tips And Tricks

I have all the steps in the printable card at the bottom of this post. First, here are some photos showing you how I did them, along with some additional tips that I hope answers all your questions.

Add Food Coloring to Mod Podge

For convenience, use a disposable bowl or cup for this step. For the small jars that I used, about 1/4 cup of Mod Podge works well for each jar. Add several drops of food coloring to the Mod Podge and mix well. Keep in mind that it will dry lighter, so try for a darker tint than what you are going for.

Swirling yellow mod podge around the inside of a glass mason jar

Pour the Colored Mixture into a Jar

Carefully pour the mixture into a jar and then swirl it around the inside of the jar. Tilt the jar sideways, holding it over the disposable container, to coat the sides. Allow any leftover Mod Podge mixture to drip back into the disposable container.

Place the coated jar upside down on a paper towel. Allow to drain for about 5 minutes, then flip it back over.

Swirling orange Mod Podge around the inside of a glass mason Jar

Mix Colors for Variety

Remember, if you only have red, blue, yellow, and green food coloring, you can mix colors together to create new ones! Red plus yellow makes orange! Blue plus Red makes purple. Coat each jar in your selected color and flip each one upside down on a paper towel for about 5 minutes to drain, then turn them right side up.

Colored mason jars drying on a baking sheet

Bake the Jars to Set the color

This step not only sets the color but will allow the Mod Podge and coloring to dry quickly. Place all finished jars right side up in a 200-degree oven for 40 minutes. Place them on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

Pull them out of the oven and you now have beautiful stained glass! These are just lovely as they are and you can totally stop here and call it a day. Or…you can go one step further and add a fun design to each one!

Drawing a design on the outside of a yellow mason jar

Add a design with a permanent marker

You can either free-hand this or use one of the free patterns that I have included in this post! To use the pattern, simply cut out the strip of the pattern and drop it into the jar. You will be able to see the pattern from the outside of the jar.

Using a permanent marker to draw a design on a yellow mason jar

Using a permanent marker, trace the pattern onto the outside of the jar.

A decorated mason jar to look like a fall luminary

Add finishing touches with permanent marker

Once the pattern is traced, remove the strip of paper and add any finishing touches to your design with permanent marker.

Easy fall luminaries - yellow and blue mason jars

Each luminary is unique and beautiful! It is so much fun to play with color and design!

Colorful fall luminaries with battery-operated tea lights

Add a battery-operated tea light, or candle to each one and watch them glow! Or…line them up on a sunny window sill and watch the sunshine through them. Your choice. Either way, they will add some color and charm to your fall decor!

Create something beautiful for your home, or make these into wonderful handmade gifts! There are so many possibilities!

Here’s the printable card with everything you need to know about how to make beautiful Fall Luminaries with glass jars and Mod Podge!

These are the ingredients you’ll need. All the exact amounts are in the printable card at the bottom of this post.

Print Instructions Pin for Later

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