Erin Spain

Home, DIY, & Photography

  • Home
  • About
    • Press
    • Advertise
    • Podcast
    • Disclosure & Policies
  • Project Gallery
  • YouTube
  • Photography
  • TRAVEL
  • Contact

Mod Podge Halloween Lanterns

October 24, 2012 By Erin Spain 4 Comments

Mod Podge Halloween Lanterns

I was searching for a fun Halloween craft to share with my MOPS group, since I am the crafty leader person on our steering committee. (P.S. That’s not my official title.) I came across oodles of adorable mason jar lanterns all over the web, some painted and some Mod Podged, and I thought it sounded fun and easy enough for our group to do within an hour period of time. We opted to make Mod Podge Halloween Lanterns, and some people picked ghosts and some made Jack-O-Lanterns. I made some of each.

Mod Podge Halloween Lanterns

Here’s what you’ll need for this craft project (Affiliate links included):

  • Mason Jars(you can use an old pickle jar or pasta sauce jar)
  • Tissue paper in your choice of color (Green for Frankenstein would be cute too!)
  • Black Cardstock
  • Mod Podge
  • Sponge Brush
  • Scissors
  • LED Tealight Candles

Step 1

First, cut your tissue paper to fit around your jar. (I did not cover the bottom of mine.) It’s ok if you overlap the edges.

Step 2

Apply a very thin layer of Mod Podge all over your jar, working quickly since it doesn’t take long for it to dry. Wrap your tissue paper around the jar, smoothing as much as possible with your hands. Do not expect it to end up smooth. It will be textured, and it will not be perfect. It’s impossible to get a perfectly smooth finish with tissue paper, but the textured look is fine in the end. Also, Mod Podge is very forgiving. If you get a tear, just dab some Mod Podge and patch with a small piece of tissue paper, smoothing it with your fingers. Wrinkles are fine, just press them down as smoothly as you can and try to press out the bubbles. Anywhere the tissue paper is not adhering, just add a dot of Mod Podge and smooth out with your fingers or sponge brush. We’re not aiming for perfection here! Just have fun with it.

Step 3

Ok, as I told my MOPS group, at this point, your project is going to look like a hot mess. It’s ok. All will be fine in the end. Use your scissors to snip away excess tissue around the rim, and continue to press the tissue down with your fingers.

Step 4

While your Mod Podge is drying (for 10-15 minutes or so), work on cutting out your cardstock to create eyes and a mouth. Dab some Mod Podge on the spots where you want your eyes and mouth to go, and glue them down. (Mod Podge acts as a glue and a sealer, so it will be our adhesive and our topcoat for this.)

Step 5

Now, use your sponge brush to paint on another thin layer of Mod Podge all over your jar, this time on top of the tissue paper and eyes/mouth. Allow it to dry (it will dry clear, by the way), then screw on the ring part of the lid.

Add a little LED tealight candle, and you’re done!

Do you decorate for Halloween? Have you ever made your own mason jar lanterns?

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE POSTS:

  • DIY Halloween Spider Wreath
  • DIY Wooden Pumpkin Stand
  • DIY Halloween Garland

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

subscribe box post footer

Filed Under: Crafts, Holiday & Seasonal, Home & DIY Blog

« Kristen Duke Photography E-Book Review & Giveaway!
Celebrate Crate: Perfect for DIY-Lovers! »

Comments

  1. Erica Deuel says

    October 24, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    I love them!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

    Reply
  2. Betsy@ coastal-colors says

    October 28, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    Erin, these are so darn cute! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing! I love these!

    Reply
  3. Vanessa says

    October 7, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    Erin,

    I love these. How sweet and colorful.

    Reply
    • Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says

      October 7, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      Thank you Vanessa!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SHOP ERIN’S FAVORITES

SPONSORS & AFFILIATES

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

Copyright © 2025 Erin Spain. Log in | Privacy Policy