The glow-in-the-dark jars are great decorations for any party. You can also use them as bedroom decorations. There are several ways to make them. This article will show you some of them.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Using the Phosphorescent Sticks
Step 1. Get what you need and get organized
The glow sticks only glow for 2-6 hours, depending on the size. Therefore, try to make your jar just before using it. This way, you can take advantage of it for longer. Here is the list of the material you need:
- 1 glow stick or 2-3 glow sticks
- Utility knife or scissors
- Jar with lid
- Newspaper sheets
- Rubber or latex gloves
- Colander
- Glitter (optional)
Step 2. Cover your work surface with newspaper
This project could create a lot of clutter, so it's wise to protect the shelf you're going to work on. If you don't have newspapers, paper bags or a common plastic tablecloth will also help.
Step 3. Open a glass jar and place a filter over the opening
The glow sticks contain a glass tube inside. When you light one by breaking it in two parts, the tube breaks. The colander will go to catch the glass fragments.
Do not reuse the colander for cooking. Even if you wash it, it may still hold some glass fragments in the metal texture
Step 4. Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves
Although the glow sticks are non-toxic, the chemicals inside can irritate the skin. Also, bear in mind that you will need to handle shattered glass.
Step 5. Light a stick
Hold it with two hands, then break it in the center. Shake to mix the chemicals inside. It should begin to light up.
Step 6. Cut the end of the stick
Hold it over the jar and cut it with a utility knife or sharp pair of scissors. Be careful because the liquid may splash on you.
If you are a child, ask your parents for help
Step 7. Empty the stick into the jar
Turn it so that the liquid can drip into the jar. The glass fragments will remain inside the colander. You will likely have to shake and shake the stick to get all the internal liquid out.
Step 8. Repeat with the other sticks
Try to pick them all of the same color. Some shades can be nice when you mix them together (like red and white), but others lose their vibrancy when mixed (like red and green).
Step 9. Discard the glow stick tubes and glass shards
Throw everything in the trash. Make sure to slam the colander against the edge of the basket to drop any glass fragments that may have become stuck.
Step 10. Remove your gloves
The best way to take them off is to grab them by the wrist and pull them forward. This way, they will turn backwards and you will not run the risk of coming into contact with the liquid residues left on the outside.
Step 11. Consider adding some glitter
The glow-in-the-dark jar is almost ready to use, but to make it more extravagant, add a small handful of glitter. You can choose them in any color, but it is preferable that they are iridescent or a tint similar to that of crushed sticks.
Step 12. Close the lid and shake the jar
In this way, the liquid will cover the inner walls of the jar.
Step 13. Take the jar to a dark room
Enjoy the light it releases while it lasts. It will begin to fade after 2-6 hours. If you want, you can add more liquid the next night.
Method 2 of 5: Using Phosphorescent Gouache
Step 1. Get the supplies
Unlike the previous method, the light from these jars does not run out. Just recharge them every now and then by placing them under a light source for at least 15 minutes. Here is the list of the material you need:
- Jar (lid is optional)
- Denatured alcohol
- Phosphorescent tempera
- Ultra-fine glitter (optional)
Step 2. Wash the jar with hot water and detergent
Even if it looks clean, it may be dusty. Dry it with a clean cloth.
Step 3. Dry the inside of the jar with denatured alcohol
Insert an alcohol-soaked cotton ball and scrub. The alcohol will remove any grease residue that could prevent the paint from sticking to the glass.
Step 4. Pour a small amount of paint into the jar
With this method the risk of scratching the glass or chipping it will be almost absent. A little tempera will be enough, because you will have to shake the jar to spread it inside.
Consider adding some extra fine glitter. They will blend with the color, increasing the sparkle of the jar
Step 5. Close the lid and shake the jar so that the tempera goes to cover the inside walls
You can also rotate and flip the jar to distribute the color. If it doesn't spread very easily, the paint you poured probably isn't enough or it's too thick. Try adding a little more color or a few drops of warm water, then shake the jar again.
Step 6. Open the jar and collect the excess paint
This way, it will dry faster and you won't waste color.
Step 7. Wait for the paint to dry
In most cases it takes about a couple of hours, depending on the heat and humidity in the surrounding environment. Stick to the drying times shown on the package, as each product is different.
Step 8. Consider applying a second or third coat if you want the jar to be brighter
You probably created a very thin layer of color with the first coat. In other words, the jar will not emit a very lively reverb. Once dried, just pour more tempera and remove the excess, as you did before. Let this layer dry completely too before adding another.
Step 9. Close the jar if you prefer
Since there is nothing in this container that could leak, it is not necessary to close it. However, the lid will allow you to keep it clean, preventing dust from getting inside, and will protect the color.
Step 10. Place the jar under a light source for at least 15 minutes before using it
Glow in the dark doesn't need a UV lamp to light up, but it needs to be charged. Once the brightness begins to wear off, all you have to do is expose the jar to a light source for another 15 minutes.
Method 3 of 5: Use Highlighter Ink and Water
Step 1. Get the supplies
With this method the jar will not glow by itself in the dark, but it will need ultraviolet light. However, the fluorescence you are going to get will be intense and worth the effort. Here is the list of the material you need:
- Ultraviolet light
- Highlighter
- Cutter
- Jar with lid
- Waterfall
- Newspaper sheets
- Rubber or latex gloves
Step 2. Protect your work surface
This project could create a lot of clutter, so it's wise to protect the shelf you're going to work on. If you don't have newspapers, paper bags or an ordinary plastic tablecloth will work as well.
Step 3. Put on a pair of rubber or latex gloves
Since you will have to handle the highlighter cartridge, you could make a mess. With gloves you will avoid staining your hands.
Step 4. Open the highlighter with a utility knife
Remove the cap and put the highlighter on the newspaper. Hold it in one hand, while with the other, cut through the plastic liner containing the ink cartridge. Be careful not to scratch it. Try turning the highlighter as you cut it.
If you are a child, ask an adult to help you with this
Step 5. Take out the ink cartridge
It looks like a felt cylinder. It may be wrapped in clear plastic wrap. In this case, you don't have to remove it.
If you prefer, remove the tip of the highlighter using a pair of tweezers
Step 6. Place the highlighter cartridge in the jar
You will only need one for each jar. If you also removed the felt tip, add it to the jar.
Step 7. Fill the jar with hot water
It will help dissolve the ink. When you remove the cartridge, the remaining liquid will glow under ultraviolet light.
Step 8. Close and shake the jar
In this way, the ink in the cartridge will begin to dissolve and mix with the water.
Step 9. Leave the cartridge to soak for 4-6 hours
Doing so will give the ink time to dissolve and mix with the water. Meanwhile, the water will begin to take on the color of the ink.
Step 10. Remove the cartridge and press it into the jar to drain excess water
Be sure to wear rubber or latex gloves when doing this. If you also inserted the highlighter tip, remove it using a pair of tweezers. Most of the time it's too hard to press, so forget it.
Step 11. Discard the cartridge and remove the gloves
Also remove the tip of the highlighter if you used it. Once the cartridge is removed, remove the gloves by pulling them from the wrist. This way, they will turn backwards and you will not run the risk of coming into contact with the liquid residues left on the outside. Once up, throw them away.
Step 12. Close the jar
If you wish, you can seal the lid using glue sticking along the opening of the jar before closing it. This will prevent anyone from opening it and making a mess. Like the jar made with glow-in-the-dark gouache, this jar too will not lose its brightness and shouldn't be exposed to a light source like the one created with glow-in-the-dark sticks.
Step 13. Put it under ultraviolet light to make it glow
The highlighter ink is fluorescent, so it doesn't glow on its own, like glow-in-the-dark paint, and so you'll need to expose it to an ultraviolet light source. It will only light up in this way. You can't charge it to glow in the dark like a jar treated with glow-in-the-dark paint.
Method 4 of 5: Using Gouache and Water
Step 1. Get the supplies
With water and gouache you can create fantastic luminous jars. If you also add glitter, you can use them to relax or calculate the time that passes. Here is the list of the material you need:
- Jar with lid
- Waterfall
- Phosphorescent or fluorescent gouache
- Ultraviolet light (when using fluorescent paint)
- Extra fine glitter
Step 2. Fill a jar with hot water
Don't fill it to the brim. The gouache will add more volume once you pour it.
Step 3. Put some gouache inside
The more you use, the brighter the jar will shine. You can use fluorescent or phosphorescent paint. Here are the differences between the two:
- If you are using fluorescent paint, you will need ultraviolet light to make it shine. The lighting effect will stop as soon as you turn off the light.
- If you use glow-in-the-dark gouache, you will need to leave it under a light source for at least 15 minutes and, in this way, it will glow in the dark for an hour.
Step 4. Consider adding some glitter to give your jar a more sparkly effect
You will need a teaspoon or similar tool. Try to match the color of the glitter to that of the gouache.
Step 5. Put the lid on the jar and close it tightly
You can also apply a layer of glue all around the opening before closing it. This way, you will prevent anyone from opening it and making a mess.
Step 6. Shake the jar to mix the water and gouache
Continue until the liquid is uniform. There should be no swirls or patches of color.
Step 7. Install an ultraviolet light if you have created a jar with fluorescent paint
Unlike the phosphorescent, the fluorescent color cannot be "charged", but must be placed close to an ultraviolet light to illuminate. The moment you remove the jar from the light source, the effect will vanish.
You can purchase an ultraviolet lamp at a hardware or party supplies store
Step 8. Load the jar made with the phosphorescent paint, leaving it under a light source for at least 15 minutes
After that it will shine on its own for almost an hour. You can recharge it as many times as you want.
Step 9. Turn off the lights and admire the result
If you are using an ultraviolet lamp, turn it on and off the house lights.
Step 10. Shake the jar again if necessary
As time passes, gouache and water can separate. If the color settles to the bottom of the jar, just shake it to revive the mixture.
Method 5 of 5: Make other types of jars and decorate them
Step 1. Fill a jar with tonic water and close it tightly
To make it glow, place it near ultraviolet light. The tonic water will shine with an intense blue.
Step 2. Use the glow-in-the-dark paint to make polka dots on the outside of the jar
This way, you will create a "starry night" effect. Just choose a phosphorescent color and draw small dots all over the vase. Let them dry, then put the lid on. Place the jar under a light source for at least 15 minutes and then take it to a dark room. You won't need bright light to make it shine.
Step 3. Decorate the lid
A regular lid will not look cool, especially on a canning jar. Try decorating the lid as well to make your creation more special. Here are some ideas:
- Cover the lid with glue, then sprinkle it with glitter. Wait for it to dry, then remove the excess glitter. To avoid littering them everywhere, apply a clear, glossy acrylic fixer.
- Paint the lid a different color using acrylic paints or spray paint.
- Glue a ribbon around the edge of the lid using hot glue.
- Glue a figurine to the top of the lid using the sticky glue. You can leave the lid and sticker unaltered or use spray paint to achieve a uniform color.
- Use the sticky glue to apply some rhinestones to the lid. Pour a drop where you intend to put the rhinestone, then press it onto the lid. Glue one rhinestone at a time.
- Decorate the lid with some stickers. Try using glow-in-the-dark stickers in the shape of a star.
Step 4. Decorate the outside of the jar using a black marker
You could design some motifs, like a pumpkin or a skull for the Halloween party, but also some swirls. The effect will be best on jars made with glow sticks or highlighter ink.
Step 5. Try adding some glitter
You will need a teaspoon or similar tool. This way, you will give your jar a more sparkling effect. For best results, combine the color of the glitter with that of the jar.
Step 6. Make a galactic jar
Attach some star-shaped stickers, then paint the jar evenly using spray paint or acrylic paint. Wait for it to dry, then remove the stickers. The jar will glow through the star-shaped holes.
Step 7. Give your jar a more subtle glow by covering it with white glue
Pour some white glue onto a plastic plate. Use a rubber spatula to apply it to the outside of the jar. Wait for it to dry before using your creation. The matte coating will soften the shine.
This method works best on jars made from glow sticks. It is not recommended for cans treated with phosphorescent colors, as they already produce a more subtle glare by themselves
Advice
- Make jars of different colors for a super effect!
- You can purchase an ultraviolet light bulb at a hardware or party supplies store.
- Use your creation to decorate any room.
- If the jar is intended for a very young child, it is best to use a jar or plastic bottle to prevent it from breaking.
Warnings
- Be careful when handling the liquid from the glow sticks. It may irritate the skin. Do not swallow it and do not put it in contact with your eyes.
- Do not drink the phosphorescent liquid.
