Shabby chic-ing jam jars

So what I was going to talk about was my little DIY project I had last summer. During my usual browsing on Pinterest I came across these beautifully painted and distressed pastel Mason jars which I immediately fell in love with and quickly decided I needed a few (or many!) in my house.

First challenge was to actually get hold of the jars. It sounds like an easy task – not so much! Mason jars are non-existent here and the classical jars called “Norgesglass” are not much sold other than online auctions, and they turned out to be bloody expensive! I was actually wrecking my brain there for a while when Söstrene Greene came to the rescue. Lovely glasses with patterns, in different sizes and not very expensive.

Second challenge was to find out what paint to use. Online it said “chalk paint” – what on earth is that? I went to Chlas Ohlson and asked for assistance, but other than spray paint they had no advise to offer. I finally took the chance on buying a small kit of acryllic paint. You may guess that was a monsterous fail. The paint had no coverage and by the second coat it all just flaked off. Very frustrating and a jar was wasted.

Then I ventured downtow to a shop called Panduro Hobby which immediately could inform me that what I needed was plain, ordinary furniture pain. That’s it. http://www.pandurohobby.no/Catalogue/20-Mal-Tegn/2010-Vannbasert-maling/201015/1/271001-P-Vintage-Paint-Mouse-Grey

What was even better was that it was sold in small jars. I bought a white one and to get different pastel colours I used a small amount of my very pigmented acryllic paint.

Then I took some sand paper and lightly sanded the pattern and the top edges and used some hemp string. Must confess I think they are super adorable and I could easily have made loads more. However. there might be a limit as to how many pastel jars with fake flowers I can keep around the house. Or IS there…!?!?