Coastal Spongeware Mason Jar Centerpiece

For simple summer tablescapes I’ve come up with a coastal spongeware mason jar centerpiece. I think you’ll really love this little craft project. The traditional red, white and blue theme is perfect for patriotic tablescapes, and works for summer coastal decor too.

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It’s the first Tuesday of the month, which means it’s time for our Handcrafted Society get together hosted by Wendy of WM Design House.

What is the Handcrafted Society? Simply put, it’s a group of bloggers who share a love for handcrafted items. Our challenge each month is to take an assigned medium or theme and create whatever our heart desires. The medium for our June challenge is red, white and blue paint.

We’re also inviting a guest to join us each month, so be sure to give a warm welcome to Melanie from Southern Crush At Home.

If you’re coming over from Saved From Salvage, welcome to Thistle Key Lane. Regina’s red, white and blue planter is such a cute idea for displaying plants on your patio or deck.

To see last month’s HS post click on How To Create Art With Pressed Flowers.

Coastal Spongeware Mason Jar Centerpiece

I know I’m taking liberties using the term spongeware in my title and description, but that’s what my mason jars remind me of.

These jars are a simplified modern spin of the spongeware designs we find on pottery that date back to the mid 1800s. Don’t you think these jars look fun to make? I think so too. Keep scrolling for a list what you’ll need to start your project.

Supplies

• mason jars
• white chalk paint
• navy, light blue and red acrylic craft paint
• small natural sea sponge
• craft paint brush
• putty knife or scraper
• ribbon and/or colored string
• mason jar lid rings (optional)
• latex disposable gloves (optional)

First make sure your jars are clean and free of any residue. Then apply one or two base coats of white chalk type paint allowing the paint to dry completely between coats. (I’m using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in old white for my base coat.)

When your base coats are dry, you can start the accent sponge painting. Wet your sponge with water so it is soft enough to work with.

By the way sponge painting does get a bit messy, so you may want to wear disposable latex gloves.

Add a quarter size dollop of your accent craft paint on a piece of scrap cardboard or paper plate. Dip your sponge into the paint and practice on your cardboard to see if you need to off load any paint.

When you’re happy with the amount of paint on your sponge, then you can apply it to your jar. I found that a light hand with the sponge painting works best. Keep sponging until the jar is covered.

Repeat the same process on each jar with your accent colors. If you accidentally get too big of a paint blob on your jar don’t worry. Let the paint dry then go back with your white chalk paint and fix it.

To make your mason jar lettering stand out, I’m using a putty knife to carefully scrape the paint off on the raised areas. You can use sandpaper, but I think the putty knife is a lot easier. The last step is adding lid rings, ribbon or colored string.

Creating A Centerpiece

I must confess I had no idea how these mason jars were going to turn out, but now I’m so excited to share them.

To create a sponge mason jar centerpiece add water and simple flowers in each jar. I’m creating three small arrangements using white mums and lots of greenery.

Place all three jar arrangements on a tray or serving plate, then add some sea shells to complete your coastal theme centerpiece.

You can also create a smaller version of this centerpiece with 12 ounce jars, but don’t worry if they don’t match. I’m using two Ball mason jars, one regular mouth and one wide mouth.  The red one in the middle is a wide mouth Kerr mason jar.

We are party ready with plates, glasses, napkins, utensils and a charcuterie board. Now we just need some cool beverages!

If you’re looking for more ways to use mason jars for entertaining, here are seven. A little help with organizing never hurts. 

• straws
• flatware
• utensils
• breadsticks
• skewers
• napkins
• flags

Shop supplies With These links

• widemouth jars 32 oz.
• regular mouth jars 32 oz.
• synthetic sponge for crafts
• navy gingham ribbon
• red gingham ribbon
• red white and blue craft paint

Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with my favorite seasonal inspiration!

Up next on our Handcrafted Society blog hop is Melanie of Southern Crush At Home. She has a cute recycling project you are going to love!

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you will enjoy creating these spongeware mason jars for your own coastal or patriotic table setting. Keep scrolling to see everyone participating this month and their projects.

Cheers!

Let’s hear it for the Red, White and Blue…

©2023 Coastal Spongeware Mason Jar Centerpiece post first appeared on Thistle Key Lane.