How to Reverse Decoupage on Glass (Lighted Christmas Jar)

Learn how to reverse decoupage on glass to make a stunning Christmas jar complete with fairy lights, snowy stems and pine cones.

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Hello! The Christmas crafting continues and I am really enjoying creating new projects this season. I’ve probably said it before, but this is my NEW favorite Christmas craft to date!

Reverse Decoupage on Glass

Table of Contents

You may have seen some of the decoupage crafts I’ve shared on Facebook. It’s one of my favorite crafting techniques that I’ve been enjoying for many years. But, this is my first time trying a reverse decoupage and I love it!

The good news is, I’m sharing a step-by-step tutorial and the beautiful Santa image with you so you can make your own.

Here are a few other free Christmas images if you prefer a different design.

Supplies for Snow Globe Jar

Mod Podge – I went with matte
White Chalk Paint
Foam Brush
Buffalo Snowflakes
Snow-Tex
Download Vintage Santa Printable
Paper Cutter or scissors
Glass Jar – I used a demijohn that I found at the thrift store. You can use mason jars, empty food jars, glass vases, snow globes.
Rubbing Alcohol and paper towels – to clean the glass

Step 1. Clean the Jar

Clean the glass with rubbing alcohol to remove any fingerprints or dust.

Step 2. Determine Image Placement

Place the image on the back of the jar to determine the placement and trim to size.

trimming Santa image — Santa Image on Glass

Try and get as close to the image as possible to achieve more of a 3-D effect.

Step 3. Add Mod Podge

Use a foam brush to add mod podge directly to the glass where the image will be placed.

Step 4. Secure Image to Glass Jar

Place the image on the glass jar where the mod podge is. Smooth it down to remove any wrinkles. I love this squeegee and brayer set.

Another tip is to use a plastic bag to smooth out the wrinkles. This is especially helpful when using napkins or tissue paper.

Step 5. Paint the Glass Jar

Now it’s time to paint the glass jar with white chalk paint using a foam brush. Be sure to leave the front area of the jar, where the image is in view, unpainted.

Chalk Paint on Glass — White Chalk Paint

You will need about 2 coats of chalk paint on the jar. Let dry.

Step 6. Add Faux Snow

To give this glass jar a snow globe effect, I added buffalo snowflakes. Simply paint a layer of mod podge where you want the snow to be.

Be sure to place a paper plate under the jar when you are adding the snowflakes. That way you can put the unused snow back in the bag.

It’s a bit of a messy job, but it adds such a pretty look to the jar, especially with the lights on.

Step 7. Outline Image with Snow-Tex

To add more detail around the image, use a craft stick to paint a layer of snow-tex around the window opening on the jar.

I love the dimension this adds. Let it dry for about an hour.

It’s really coming together now!

Step 8. Add Lights

To really make this jar a statement piece for Christmas, add fairy lights to the jar. Place the string, without the battery pack, in the jar and put the battery pack on the side of the jar.

Secure it with a pipe cleaner. This makes it easy to change the batteries and turn the lights on and off. I prefer to use battery operated lights on a timer. That way you don’t have to mess with them each night.

Step 9. Decorate with Flowers

To cover the battery pack and create a centerpiece, I chose to place snowy winter stems in the jar. Simply place a small foam block on top of the jar and secure the flowers. Not hot glue needed.

placing flowers in foam block — Foam Block on Jar

Step 10. Finish with Ribbon

The last step is to finish off the jar with a pretty ribbon. I used a white textured ribbon that I had in my stash.

finished demijohn with reverse decoupage

That’s all there is to it! A beautiful decoupaged jar with a vintage Santa image. This has a snow globe effect and the fairy lights looks so lovely at night.

Here it is with the lights on. I’m seriously obsessed with this beauty! It goes perfectly with my DIY Santa art.

lighted Christmas jar with Santa — Lighted Christmas Jar

lighted demijohn with decoupage Santa — Lighted Christmas Jar

What do you think? Is this something you could see yourself making? If you wanted to use a winter image, this beautiful lighted jar could stay up all winter!