Aren’t these glow jars sublime?
They take about two minutes to make and cost only 20 cents a piece. How’s that for an enticing DIY wedding project?
These would look amazing at an evening outdoor wedding. Line walkways with them, or place them on tables.
If you like this project, check out my DIY ‘glitterarium‘. And if you want to add even more ‘wow’ to your festivities? Make ice shot glasses to go with your glow jars!
DIY Glow Jars Tutorial
For each glow jar you will need:
- a jar
- two Glow Sticks
- scissors
- rubber gloves
- safety glasses
Disclaimer: This is a project meant to be done by an adult – not a child!
Purchase Glow Sticks
Grab two glow sticks and cut at one end. Make sure they are inside the jar when you cut them. I used rubber gloves because I didn’t want to get the glowing liquid on my hands.
Shake each glow stick while holding inside jar until contents are empty. You will notice little pieces of what looks like plastic along with the liquid. One reader said this is actually glass, so be careful. You will dump these out later.
Head to your garbage and dump out the little pieces of plastic. Swirl liquid around the jar.
That’s it. You’re done! Go and find a dark place and enjoy the glow! (Note: These will glow for about an hour in warmish temps.)
also fun for halloween decorations!
For sure Heather!
These are so cute and I can see a ton of versatility for these. They would be really cool hanging from trees. And, I could see them in jars and bottles of all shapes and sizes.
Really cool
LOVE this idea!!
I have shared this on the facebook page for my blog.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crafted/110593078978875
Dom.
x
HOW SO FREAKING AWESOME IS THIS!!!! Ahh crazy!!
hy,
the DIY glow jars, awesome idea had something like that in mind, lol. However, how long do they glow for? If exposed to sunlight will the colours re-charge? I eagerly await your reply.
Always curious about lighting, lol.
Only 1-2 hours. When they’re done glowing, just refill.
GREAT for jars without lids – I always lose lids – and then can’t think of what else to do with the jar! THANKS!
these are brilliant. I’m totally making these someday and will reference you on my blog.
Thanks
That’s not plastic in the glow sticks, it’s glass. Be CAREFUL. GLOW STICMS HAVE GLASS IN THEM. THWY ARE DANGEROUS.
Amanda, I didn’t know it was glass. Sure looked like plastic. I didn’t feel any element of danger at all when I was doing this – that said, I did wear gloves because I didn’t want to get any of the liquid on my skin. Also, this is definitely a project meant for an adult.
Aren’t these toxic? When you are done using them, what is the best way to safely dispose of the glass and liquid? You wouldn’t want to rinse them down the drain anywhere. When they are in the sticks, they are safer to dispose.
Hmmm
The phosphorescent liquid in the jars is non toxic. Meaning, it can be washed down a drain no problemo. (Source, glassblower for 4 years that works with stuff way more toxic than that)
Appreciate your input Kismet!
Are you supposed to break them for the glowing before you cut them open? I don’t know that they would glow if you don’t…?
Cool idea, but I’d be more inclined to try with some glow in the dark paints. Resuable and probably not as messy?
Okay, now that’s just extremely cool. I didn’t know the glowy stuff worked outside of the plastic. People are always asking me for wedding tips and that’s something that’s going on the list.
Plus, it’s also cool for parties and such, but I really like that idea. Dollar tree always has those things.
I LOVE this idea, however, I would think it would be rather difficult to do for a wedding because you would ave to worry about finding time to set them up because they don’t last too long. Other thab that, it’s absolutely brilliant and will probably be using the idea just for parties.
This is so awesome! I’ve featured it on my blog: http://www.matinlapin.com/2011/10/my-favourite-things-this-week_30.html – can’t wait to try it out!
Ok, so after an hour or so they stop glowing. I can deal with that. Will putting them back into a source of light “recharge” them though? Or is it a one-time deal?
They don’t recharge Richard. Just dump some more glow-sticks in and you’re good to go.
You’d have to delegate someone to keep an eye on the jars and refill them when they lose their glow.
Love this idea, shame they won’t last long and you can’t really prepare them in advance for your wedding but fab idea!
Very cool idea, but I would use glow paints instead for several reasons:
The vial inside is glass, as mentioned before.
The chemicals inside can cause skin irritation, swelling, and in some cases vomiting and nausea.
The chemical reaction in a glow stick only creates a glow for a couple of hours, then you have to break open more glow sticks, causing more waste.
Glow paint would be cheaper in the long run, because you would only need a small amount for each jar, and the paint will recharge itself when exposed to natural or artificial light. You could event coat the entire inside of the jar instead of splattering. One tube of glow paint would go a long way! (Plus the paints come in different colors, like the glow sticks do.)
What a cool project! I made you my headline of the day on my Do It Yourself Daily e-newspaper! Check it out!
http://paper.li/KristaSuz/1319149946?utm_source=subscription&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=paper_sub
For those asking about recharging and how long they last….
As mentioned, glow sticks are non-rechargeable, it’s a chemical reaction and therefore when all the chemicals have reacted the light will die out (think of burning paper, when the paper has burnt away, the fire goes out).
They typically can last anywhere up to 10-12 hours depending on environment.
As its a chemical reaction causing the light (started by mixing the two chemicals together when you break the inner vial), you will find that they glow slightly brighter when they are warm although for a shorter period of time (the reaction is faster). So if they’re outside in jars where it’s going to be cooler, they won’t be as bright but should last longer.
…..I wonder if there’s a safe way to keep the jars warm while in use (a candle would obviously defeat the object).
Hi Adam. Thanks for the info. I’ve found, however, that they don’t last anywhere near 10-12 hours. Then again, I did have them on my front porch where it wasn’t exactly warm. I will have to leave them in the house and see how long they last.
Take care not to get this stuff on any paint or finished wood surfaces—it is amazingly corrosive!!
These are so lovely. I love the thought of it. But when I think of the total hands-on work involved to get many of them all going at once during your wedding. *shudder* You’d have to pay an extra person for the evening just to look after the fancy light jars.
Hey this is really cool!!!! I hung mine on trees when my friends came over for my b-day a year ago and they loved them!!!!!!!!!! So cool everyone should try it!
it’s so beatiful
In all technicality the glow sticks to not have glass in them, it is just plastic to separate the two liquids from touching each other, and if it was glass it is not harmful, too small of pieces to even to any damage.
But on another note, this is a really good idea i was thinking about doing something artistic for my wedding. but i do not know how well it will turn out to work in snow.
Thanks for weighing in on this Mbloker. These wouldn’t work in the snow.. the colder the temps, the quicker the glow fades.
can you put the lids back on the jars? Would that make them glow longer?
I so love this! It would be great for those summer BBQ’s too!
We just made these..its been about 15 min and they dont glow anymore??? what a teaser for my 5 yr old ughhhh
Sorry to hear that Denise. They don’t last long in cold temps. Did you have them indoors?
This is a very creative idea!! Kudos to whoever came up with this!!
Definitely going to try this!! 
I read somewhere that if you take a spray bottle with some hydrogen peroxide in it and spray a little bit inside the jar once it stops glowing, it will “re-charge” the glow for a little while. I have not tried this yet but will next time I do this, since they certainly don’t last long at all (with cheap dollar store glow sticks anyway).
My son received glo-sticks from his teacher for Valentine’s Day when he was in first grade. He thought they were candy and bit off the end, sucking some into his mouth and swallowing a tiny bit. We were in the car driving home from school and just a few minutes from home. I had him spit it out into a kleenex and when I got home, I had him rinse with water and immediately called poison control. They said that they are not toxic and not to worry. They said if he swallowed enough, he might get a stomach ache, but he didn’t.