Create some spooky fun for your doorstep or window this Halloween with these glowing Jack O'Lantern luminaries!
Age Group: Crafts
Project Type: Halloween
Author: Amanda Formaro
Supplies
Clean glass jars
Glow sticks
Glass paint pen
Craft tools
Exacto knife
Instructions
Draw some fun faces on with your glass paint pen or Sharpie and color them in.
Glow sticks last anywhere from 4 hours to 24 hours. Keep that in mind before you activate the sticks and pour them into your jars. You may want to wait until the day/night of the occasion you'll be using these jars to do so.
Activate the glow stick by following the directions on the package. Once the liquid is glowing, hold the glow stick upright so that there is air at the top of the stick. Use you other hand to press the Exacto knife into the top of the glow stick then slowly and carefully remove the top. Pour the liquid into one of your jars and seal the lid. Turn the jar, allowing the glowing liquid to coat the inside of the jar.
Expert Tips & FAQs
Your finished glowing jars may appear to be fading within several minutes. Pick them up and repeat the rolling and coating process. You can do this throughout the evening to help keep them glowing. If you let them sit they will be fine too.
A fine layer of the glowing liquid will adhere to the glass, but the rest will drip down and pool at the bottom of the jar. Crafting is not perfect!
I tested a black Sharpie on my glow stick pumpkin jars, but it didn't work as well as glass paint pens. However, you can certainly use a black Sharpie, there's no need to go to the craft store if you don't think you'll use it again. I use my glass paint pens all the time.
Be aware that a black Sharpie will not be as "black" (if that makes sense) and will leave pen lines that a candle may shine through. So it seriously depends on your level of perfectionism. Mine's kinda high, I'll admit it. But kids could care less and their glowing Jack O Lantern jars will still look super cool!
Some colors are better than others. First of all, green and yellow glow sticks work better than pink and purple. The green and yellow appeared much brighter. I didn't test the blue but based on the hues, I would guess it would be the same as the purple. I could be wrong though so if you try blue, please leave me a comment and let me know how it did!