How to Make a Fall Pumpkin Mason Jar

Making an easy fall pumpkin mason jar is a fun and simple craft that’s perfect for decorating your home for the autumn season. Here is a step-by-step guide with a popular and straightforward method: painting the jar.

Materials You’ll Need

  • Mason jar: Any size will work.
  • Acrylic craft paint: Orange and green.
  • Twine or jute ribbon: For the finishing touch.
  • Stem material: A small twig, a wine cork, or a wooden peg.
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks: For assembly.
  • Paintbrush or foam brush: A foam brush is great for a smooth, streak-free finish.
  • Scissors

Instructions

  1. Prepare the jar: Make sure your mason jar is clean and dry. For a project with less mess, you can paint the outside of the jar. Some crafters prefer to paint the inside to create a glossy finish, but this can be more challenging and requires more paint. For this guide, we’ll focus on painting the outside.
  2. Paint the pumpkin body:
    • Using your orange acrylic paint and a foam brush, apply a thin, even coat to the outside of the mason jar.
    • Leave the very top rim unpainted so the lid can still screw on.
    • Allow the paint to dry completely. This may take a few hours.
    • Apply a second coat to ensure the color is vibrant and opaque. Depending on the brand and color, you may need a third coat. Let it dry fully.
  3. Create the stem:
    • Take your mason jar lid (the metal flat disc) and the outer ring.
    • Paint the lid and ring with your green acrylic paint. You may need two coats for full coverage.
    • Once the green paint is dry, use a hot glue gun to attach your stem material (wine cork, twig, or wooden peg) to the center of the lid. Hold it in place until the glue sets.
  4. Add the finishing touches:
    • Take a small piece of twine and wrap it around the base of the stem. You can use a dab of hot glue to secure the ends. This adds a rustic, natural feel.
    • If you want, you can cut out small leaf shapes from green felt or cardstock and glue them next to the stem. You can also add some curled vines by wrapping a thin piece of green twine around a pencil to create a spiral before gluing it on.
    • Be creative, using black and red paint this can be used as a Halloween decoration or add flowers and use as a fall vase (see above photos).
  5. Assemble and display:
    • Place the decorated lid with the stem and twine back onto the jar.
    • You can now display your pumpkin mason jar as is, or you can fill it with a battery-operated candle or fairy lights to make it glow. It also makes for a great candy jar or a simple vase for fall flowers.