Creative Upcycling | Decorate Glass Jars!

My nana nani (grandparents) has a bad habit. They’re addicted to Hajmola! Those who don’t know, Hajmola is a tablet that is a unique blend of Indian herbs, spices, and edible salts. It normally helps to digest. As they’re getting old, their digestive system is not as strong as before. So they like to take hajmola after a heavy meal. They say that it also helps them to regain their appetite but I don’t support consuming this thing. Because hajmola contains excessive salt that is not at all advisable for your health! And obviously if you consume more salt than required, it will increase your blood pressure. And not only that, other related health issues like heart strokes, nervous breakdown and diabetes are also included in this case. And unfortunately, both of them are diabetes patients.

But knowing all these things, they still love hajmola because it has the power to addict you. It’s super tastly and hard to say no. This time, when I went home, I found four small empty jars of hajmola that are ready to be thrown out. And then I thought, why not turn them into mini works of art?! As these are also one kind of glass bottles, so why not?! And these cute little jars are too pretty to throw away! So I packed them in my bag and carried them home.

Before painting, I peel plastic wrappers from each of the bottles and thoroughly clean it with liquid dish soap. Then dried out under the fan. Meanwhile, I was thinking what kind of theme shall I choose to decor? As they are so tiny bottles, I have to choose simple designs. Suddenly, the ocean theme came to my mind. I can paint 3 to 4 waves of different color as the background. And put stitch designs in the middle of each wave.

After drafting the art in my mind, I grab my acrylic markers and move to the project.

Oh some of you might have thought why I chose acrylic markers? To me, acrylic markers are fantastic because they’re vibrant, opaque, and adhere well to glass surfaces. Plus, they're easy to use and don't require a lot of cleanup. Also for detailed designs, they are perfect!

Well everybody tell to start by outlining you design but this time, I directly go with my colors. The beauty of acrylic markers is that they dry quickly and you can layer colors without them smudging. After the base colors dried, I went back in with a fine-tip marker to add details and highlights.

I chose both dark and light theme colors as background. And in contrast, when it comes for the detailed design, I choose the light fine-tip markers for darker background and dark markers for the light one. I lightly sketched the outline of my design. This step helped me map out the space and ensured that my design would fit well on the jar.

I started experimenting with different styles and techniques while doing the details. I can’t name these patterns, they just came automatically in my mind.

Slowly, one by one, all the four jars are completed. And each of them are really turned into beautiful pieces! Just look at them!

It was really a fun and relaxing project for me. I can use these as spice jar or make pot holders for small plants. Suggest me which will be the best!

Tips for the beginners

Take Your Time: Don’t rush the process. Enjoy the act of creating. Like these hajmola jars, you can reuse your food jar too!
Practice on Paper First: If you’re unsure about a design, practice on paper before applying it to the jar.
Use Light Coats: When sealing, apply several light coats of sealer instead of one heavy coat to avoid drips.
Have Fun: Let your imagination run wild and enjoy the process!