I’ve tried my hand at decoupaging galvanized metal, wood, and plastic but until now I’ve never tried Mod Podge on glass. Today, I’ll show you how easy it is to take cheap spice jars and make them look like vintage apothecary jars.
Last month, I ventured up to Asheville, North Carolina in search of antique stores in the area. Thank you to those on Facebook and Twitter that clued me into The Antique Tobacco Barn.
The moment I walked in the door, I’m pretty sure I heard angels singing. ***Cue the choir***
I had one hour to power shop my way through 70,000 square feet of antique-lovers paradise to find accessories for our guest bathroom. Give a girl with shopping ADD an hour in a massive antique store and you come out of there with nothing…nada…not a single thing to accessorize the bathroom.
Since I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I decided to make something of my own.
I love anything to do with vintage advertising so I did a Google image search for “printable vintage pharmacy labels” and found these cute and colorful vintage apothecary labels made by Cathe of Just Something I Made. There are 14 different styles of labels to choose from.
Update (01/2019): The blog I got the label printables from no longer has them on her site. Luckily, I found some pretty vintage jar labels from Knick of Time you can use instead. Click this link to download her free printable. I also wanted to let you that I’ve used the jars for over 5 years and the labels are holding up well!
I had a sheet of the labels printed out at Kinko’s on matte photo paper for $0.75. Since it’s printed with laser ink, you won’t have to worry about the ink bleeding when using Mod Podge. The colors were a little off, but I think that had to do with their printers and not the labels.
*I’ve included affiliate links to help you find the products used in this project. Clicking the links does not increase the cost but I may make a small commission.
I found the spice jars on Amazon. Click this link for the matte Mod Modge or use the outdoor Mod Podge. They even have dishwasher safe Mod Podge but I haven’t tried it yet.
How to make decoupaged vintage apothecary glass jars:
Start by washing the jars and wiping them down with a little alcohol.
Put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the back of the label. The tweezers help to keep the Mod Podge off your hands and on the label.
Lay the label on the jar and smooth out the wrinkles with the back of a spoon.
Then, put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the front of the label.
Any excess can be cleaned up with a damp Q-Tip. Once the glue dries, you can scrape off the excess with your fingernail.
As much as I try not to say easy peasy, this project does get filed into the easy peasy category.
And since it costs less than a few dollars per jar, it also gets filed into the pretty-darn-cheap category.
So, I hope this project inspires you to make some easy-peasy-and-pretty-darn-cheap apothecary jars yourself. Please let me know if you do!
You can see where I used the jars in the vintage-inspired bathroom reveal here.
Got Mod Podge? Here are some more projects.
Thanks so much for featuring my project, Setting for Four!
Helper says
The original free set of labels can be found here
https://web.archive.org/web/20140704042048if_/http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aDCnyPs488U/TEkbG1BbevI/AAAAAAAAICs/6iBqQBRBgj4/s1600/JSIMAPOTHOCARYlabels.jpg
Christine says
Genius! I’ve got to make these. Thanks for the idea
JaneEllen says
Since I seem to have fascination for glass your jars caught my eye right away. Just happen to have some pretty apothecary jars found at thrift stores, yeahoo. Love labels you used, make your jars look so vintage. Great to have on shelf in bathroom or kitchen.
Your jars are wonderful. Hope you have a wonderful week
Tricia says
Thank you so much, Jane! You got lucky finding the jars at the thrift store. Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you have a great week too!
Beth, Marie says
I just love this, I was looking for something for some updates I’m making in my bathroom in my rental.
Marie-Ange says
Hi,
this is beautiful! I’ve pinned it, I will sure make it.
I didn’t know what mod podge was. When I need to glue paper on glass, I use milk. It’s in my kitchen, works perfectly, cheap, and green 😀
Have a beautiful day,
Marie-Ange, Europe
Heather says
Thanks so much for sharing these beautiful Jars at Project Inspired! I featured them today here! http://www.settingforfour.com/2013/05/12-fabulous-vintage-and-repurposed-diy.html and pinned to my features board!
Tricia says
Yay! Thanks for featuring them, Heather!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
I just loved these so much I made them my Feature from last week’s Project Inspire{d} party! Hope you are having a great weekend Tricia! 🙂
Nancy
Ashley Christensen says
These are darling! I’m going to have to make this one! Pinning 🙂
Jodi blackmon says
Super cute! Thanks for the printables, as well. That looks like a place I could get lost in for hours if I went, and my husband wouldn’t have a paycheck when I dug myself out. 🙂
Visiting from That DIY Party.
Cheers!
Jodi
Second Wind of Texas
Tricia says
You’re welcome, Jodi! Yes, my husband is so lucky that I can’t make my mind up when I shop. I have a feeling he won’t be so lucky next time! Thanks for stopping by!
rita says
These are so cute! I love vintage little jars. If you get a chance, please share this on my link party http://suburbsmama.blogspot.com/2013/05/sunday-link-party-8.html
Tricia says
Thanks for the invite!
Mrs. Tucker (Patti) says
I love doable crafts…not that I’ll do them, but I like looking! (i’m a very uncrafty gal)
Popping in from Oh, Mrs. Tucker!
Tricia says
Aw! You never know until you try. I used to be an uncrafty gal myself. Thanks for looking anyways. 🙂
Bonnie @ Uncommon says
LOVE tese Tricia! Great way to dress up those jars. Thanks for sharing at Monday Funday! Pinning! 😉 Bonnie @ Uncommon Designs
Tricia says
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Heather says
Thanks for sharing your great tutorial – these are so beautiful! A great way to repurpose old jars too! Pinned!
Tricia says
Thanks, Heather!
Jessica @ Mom 4 Real says
I adore these, Tricia!!! Perfection!
Tricia says
Thank you, Jessica! I’m so glad you like them!
Kathy, Petticoat Junktion says
love those jars and I’m so jealous. Have to go to Asheville!
Tricia says
Hi Kathy! You’ll love it. And it’s right next to the Biltmore house, so it’s well worth the trip to see both.
debbiedoos says
So glad you made it to the Tobacco barn…it’s HUGE! These are really cute Tricia.
Tricia says
I had no idea the Tobacco Barn was going to be so big! Next time I’ll bring my walking shoes and a picnic. 🙂
Melanie says
Love this! Going to pin this project. 🙂
Tricia says
Thanks for pinning!
Petra says
Angels singing! I so know what you mean! And with regards spending an hour and getting nothing amongst lots of “somethings”, I know what you mean there too! You are very talented with your jars. Love your blog. 😀
Tricia says
Thank you so much, Petra! I think it would have been much easier if I had gone with a friend. 🙂
Debbie ~refresh restyle says
I love them! You’re so crafty 🙂
Debbie
Tricia says
Thanks, Debbie! I have a feeling I’m going to be on a mod podge kick again. I’ve got 2 more projects to work on this week. 🙂
Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says
So cute! Love the vintage vibe. Pinned and shared my dear 🙂
Tricia says
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Shannon! You made my day!
Krista @thehappyhousie says
I LOVE these Tricia! I feel totally inspired by them… Great colours and I love the vintage feel.
Krista
Tricia says
Thanks, Krista! I’m so glad you liked them!
Paula@SweetPea says
Love this project and the ease of it is an added bonus.
Tricia says
Yes, I love an easy project too!
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Oh, I’m gonna have to make some of those! They are great!! (Love the shelf they are on too!!)
Thanks for sharing
Nancy
Tricia says
Thanks, Nancy! Graphics Fairy had some cute pharmacy labels, too. Your Mod Podge Mother’s Day vases were so cute I had to get my decoupage fix. 🙂
Sonya ~At Home with The Barkers says
I have never used Modge Podge on glass either! I sure will now! These jars are so great. Thanks for the inspiration… ONCE AGAIN!!
~Sonya
Tricia says
You’re welcome, Sonya! I’m pretty convinced that Mod Podge is the 8th wonder of the world. You can use it on about anything it seems. 🙂