DIY Patriotic Mason Jar Candle Using Temporary Tattoos -

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Make this DIY patriotic mason jar candle in less than 10 minutes. Grab glass jars, temporary tattoos, buttons, and candles to make charming 4th of July decor.

Fourth of July glass jar votive for summer parties or July 4th tablescapes. — *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains other affiliate links too for your convenience. You can read my privacy policy for more details.

If I had a nickel for all of the weird things I’ve asked Mr. ERH through the years, I’d probably be a billionaire by now.

The other night as we were watching our weeknight tv I asked him, “Do you think temporary tattoos would stick to glass?”

This question should give you insight into a couple of things…

One.

How my brain works.

Because apparently, 8:00 at night is the perfect time to start thinking about temporary tattoos and patriotic crafts.

And two.

Mr. ERH has been listening to (and somehow going along with) these kinds of ideas for the last 27 years.

(Yes ladies, I know I got lucky!)

Now I wasn’t totally sure if my random thought would work, but I ordered a pack of patriotic temporary tattoos anyways, and a few days later after a quick test, my votive jar idea actually looked super cute.

And “super cute” quickly turned into a full blown craft session, because that’s how I roll around here.

These patriotic mason jar candle votives take less than 10 minutes to make, use only a handful of supplies, and there’s no crafting experience required.

My kind of DIY…wink, wink.

So if you’ve got a couple of mason jars, temporary tattoos the kiddos never used, some buttons, and a roll of twine sitting around, make something festive (and maybe a little weird) with me!

Why You’ll Love This Patriotic DIY

These mason jar votives take less than 10 minutes and cost just a few dollars to make.
No hot glue, no power tools, no mess. Just peel, stick, fill, and tie!
Temporary tattoos do all the decorating work for you, and they look amazing on glass.
They’re endlessly customizable. Mix and match tattoo designs, ribbon colors, and jar sizes for a look that’s completely your own.

Supplies You’ll Need to Make a DIY Candle Holder

The simple supplies you'll need to make patriotic table decorations include temporary tattoos, glass jars, buttons, and kitchen twine.

One of the great things about this craft is that the supply list is short and budget-friendly…

Small Glass Mason Jars: The base of your candle. Use any size you like depending on where you plan to display it.
Patriotic Temporary Tattoos (American flags, fireworks, stars, 1776, etc.): An easy way to add festive detail without paint or decals.
Water & Sponge: Used to apply the tattoo and help it adhere to the glass.
Buttons: Adds texture to the votive while giving it a collected, cozy feel. I have more candle filler ideas further down in this post.
Battery Operated Votive Candle: Creates ambiance without the worry of an open flame.
Kitchen Twine or Ribbon (optional): For tying around the top of the jar.
Scissors: To cut your kitchen string to the right length.

materials you’ll need

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I’m Heidi, the heart and hands behind Eleanor Rose Home.

Heidi and her dachshund rescue Eleanor Roosevelt.

I’ll show you that your home can become a place of warmth, comfort, and style with practical tips, creative ideas, and my own journey to help you create a space that feels like you…welcoming, personal, and full of charm.

More About me See more crafts

How to Make a DIY Patriotic Mason Jar Candle Holder

Follow these simple step-by-step instructions, and you’ll have your own 4th of July mason jar candle holder in minutes…

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Place the temporary tattoo on the glass jar and press down with a white rag or sponge to adhere the temporary tattoo to the glass.

Step One: Start by placing your temporary tattoo on the outside of the glass jar, design side down. Use a sponge or a damp cloth to press and hold it in place for about 20–30 seconds. Once the backing paper slides off easily, gently remove it and let the design dry completely.

Fill the bottom of the mason jar with white buttons to add texture to the patriotic votive.

Step Two: Pour a layer of buttons into the bottom of the jar. This adds texture, a little weight, and makes the votive feel more interesting. I used white buttons for a vintage look, but this is an easy place to bring in more color if you want.

Place a battery operated candle on top of the buttons inside the glass mason jar.

Step Three: Set a battery operated candle right on top of the buttons. Once it’s turned on, the light reflects through the glass and around the tattoo design.

Tie red and white kitchen twine to the top of the mason jar DIY votive candle.

Step Four: Finish it off with a bow of red and white butcher’s twine tied around the neck of the jar. The twine is a perfect complement to the Americana vibe!

Helpful Tips

Mix up your tattoo designs. Use a variety of patriotic tattoos across a grouping of jars.
Choose a jar with a flat surface. The temporary tattoos need a smooth, flat area to adhere properly, so look for jars without a lot of embossing or texture on the sides.
Use different jar sizes. Wide-mouth pints, half pints, and regular glass jars all work great together and can add height for visual interest.
Switch up your filler. Anything that fills the jar and adds a little weight to your votive will work fine.
Skip the twine for a simpler look. The tattoos and buttons alone are plenty charming if you want to keep it extra simple.

COZY TIP: If you want your votive to feel a little more aged and less brand new, gently run your fingernail over parts of the tattoo once it’s fully dry. It will distress the design and give it a slightly worn look.

DIY Americana Votive Holder Variations & Substitutions

DIY Patriotic mason jar candle holders with temporary tattoos.

You can very easily make this patriotic craft unique and completely your own.

Here’s a few ideas on how to switch things up…

Any small glass jar works here. Repurposed pasta sauce jars, pickle jars, or jelly jars are all fair game.
Try a tall, narrow jar for a more lantern like look.
Patriotic temporary tattoos are the star of the show here, but don’t stop at flags. Look for stars, eagles, “1776,” fireworks, or vintage style Americana graphics.
White buttons are my go-to, but this is such a fun place to play around. You could also use white rice, dried beans, sand, small pebbles, pennies, or red, white, and blue M&Ms.
Fairy lights stuffed loosely inside the jar give a different vibe but equally beautiful glow.
No twine on hand? A simple red and white or blue and white gingham ribbon tied in a bow is a charming alternative.

Vintage inspired DIY flag art on a kitchen hutch for patriotic decor.

How to Make Vintage Inspired DIY American Flag Wall Art

Create your own American flag wall art to add a patriotic and nostalgic touch to your home decor.

learn more

How to Remove Temporary Tattoos From Glass

You might be worried that the patriotic design on your glass jar is permanent, but temporary tattoos are really easy to remove.

Simply run the jar under warm water and use the scrubby side of a damp sponge to gently rub the tattoo.

It will start to lift almost immediately.

Within a minute or two, your jar will be completely clean and ready to use again.

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Using These Votives for a Summer or 4th of July Table

Americana votive candles made with temporary tattoos, white buttons, and kitchen twine.

If you’re setting a table for summer or Independence Day, these votives couldn’t be easier to incorporate.

Scatter a few down the center of your table for a simple centerpiece.

They add just enough red, white, and blue without looking too themed, especially when you pair them with neutral linens or a gingham runner.

You don’t need much else.

Maybe a couple of red geraniums in aged flower pots or silver buckets, a bowl of cherries, and transferware dinnerware in red or blue.

Once the candles are turned on, they give off a soft glow that will make your table feel cozy and beautiful.

Patriotic Mason Jar Candle DIY Frequently Asked Questions

How do you apply temporary tattoos to glass?
Applying temporary tattoos to glass is just like applying them to skin. Press the tattoo face down against a clean, dry glass surface, hold a damp cloth firmly over it for about 30 seconds, then peel back the paper slowly. Let it dry completely before handling.

How long do temporary tattoos last on glass?
Temporary tattoos can last a very long time on glass if the surface is kept dry. Avoid submerging the jar in water or scrubbing the tattoo directly. A gentle wipe with a damp cloth around the design will help preserve it longest.

How do you make a patriotic mason jar candle?
Fill a small mason jar with buttons or another filler, nestle a battery operated votive candle inside, apply a patriotic temporary tattoo to the outside of the jar, and tie a ribbon around the neck. The whole project takes less than 10 minutes!

What can I use as filler in a mason jar candle holder?
White buttons, white rice, dried beans, pebbles, sand, and pennies all make great fillers. The filler props up your votive candle and adds a decorative element you can see through the glass.

Are battery-operated votives safe in mason jars?
Yes, LED candles are the perfect choice for mason jar candle holders because they produce no heat or flame, making them safe for use indoors, outdoors, and around kids and pets.

What kind of mason jar is best for this craft?
Look for a straight sided mason jar with a smooth, flat surface on the sides. This gives the temporary tattoo the best area to adhere to.