Mason Jars 'n Lights

my next project was in the hopes to create a fun and inexpensive centerpiece for an upcoming event.  i had seen all these neat parties and wedding table settings using mason jars. i decided to jump on the band wagon and try it out myself. the first thing i did was head to our local flea market. it's only once a month but it's fantastic! i found these six jars. the light blues ones are the toughest to find, they were produced before 1937. it is even more difficult to find the zinc lids. i was able to bargain and get the two large one for $2.00 a piece. some vendors had them at around $20-$25.00. 

after washing each jar out, i had went down to my local craft store and bought some pearlizing spray paint and silver glitter spray paint. i also bough an inexpensive jar to test the paints. using the paints outside, i did three types of spray tests. i did one where i painted layer upon layer of pearl paint to create an opaque finish. i did another where i did around two layers and the last i did about 5 layers of glitter spray paint. the pearl paint was easier to use and dried a lot quicker....the glitter paint took a while to dry and liked to drip all over the place. i even decided to spray the metal rims of the lids, again the pearl was easier to work with over the glitter. 

i had originally planned to just use the jars as vases for flowers, but i found some flame less tea lights and decided to use a few of those. they turned out fabulously. i've decided to mix the jars as vases, tea light holders and photo holders. i'll post some pictures after the event to show you guys the final outcome of my centerpiece. i will not be painting the older jars, in particular the blue ones. they are too pretty without it and since they are so rare, i'm going to preserve them in their original condition. i did find one mason jar from canada from 1959, which was gorgeous. i will not be painting this one either. i'll post more pictures as my days of planning progress.