I’m in party planning mode over here, working on my girls 2nd and 5th birthday party!  We are horse and unicorn obsessed, and our party theme will reflect that!

So today I’m sharing with you two of the labor of love projects I’ve created for my girls’  party.  I’ve included tutorials for both so you can re-create these for your own little unicorn lovers!

Glitter Unicorn Mason Jar

This idea was actually a spin off of a decoration I did for the girls’ birthday party last year. I made these Beauty and the Beast jars and used them as vases for some pretty red roses.

I wanted to create fun and pretty centerpieces again this year but had a different vision this time.  Instead of flowers I’ll be adding tissue poms and cut outs.  I haven’t completed these yet, but stay tuned for the party post where I’ll share the finished project.  However, even without the other stuff I envisioned…I must say these jars turned out pretty stinkin’ cute!

The great thing about these is that they aren’t that difficult to make!  It’s a little time consuming, but well worth the finished product!  After the party we will use these as decorations in my girls rooms.  They would make adorable vases and could also be used as tissue holders!

Craftiness Level (0-10): 5

Time Investment: 30 minutes

Materials:

• glass mason jar
• fine glitter
• Modge Podge
• brush or sponge paint  brush (sponge works)
• vinyl
• Silhouette Cameo or other cutting machine
• fake flowers
• glue gun & glue sticks
• cardstock (glitter and plain)

For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from these links I may make a small commission at no cost to you.

 Step 1:  Cut and Apply Design

Find a Unicorn image you’d like to use.  I had purchased these in the Silhouette store awhile back and thought they would look cute.  I imported them into my software and then set the cut to glossy vinyl.  Before cutting I adjusted the size based on the measurements of my jar.  These were about 2.75 X 3.5 inches.

These were super easy to weed.  I made several, as I plan on making several center pieces for the party. Once they were weeded, I chose one and applied transfer tape.

It’s a good idea to wipe your surface down first with rubbing alcohol, but I often forget, as was the case today.  It still adhered fine.  I started from the middle and pushed out to the edges so as to avoid bubbles.

Step 2: Paint, Glitter, Repeat

For this step you’ll need to your Mod Podge, a brush, glitter, and paper to clean up the glitter. 

You will start by thinly painting a section of the jar with Mod Podge.  You need to do it thin to prevent clumping .  You will have multiple layers, so don’t worry about coverage yet.  Since I apply it so thinly, I do this in several sections (usually thirds)  to prevent the Mod Podge from drying in between. I paint on Mod Podge, apply glitter and repeat.  You can paint completely over the decal to make sure it’s fully covered.

After the first layer is done, I let it sit for 15 minutes before applying the second layer.  Most colors only require 2 layers but because this white glitter can be a little transparent, I did 3.  I waited for 30 minutes before applying the 3rd and final layer.

Step 3: Peel, Seal and Dry

Before letting the final coat dry, I pull off the decal.  I usually use a thin tool to get a corner started and go really slow to make sure I don’t pull up any extra.  You do not want to wait until the glitter is dry to do this, or it will break off.

I then apply a light coat of Kyrlon Triple Thick just to seal the glitter in, and then let it sit overnight to dry.

Step 4:  Cut horn and ears

For this step I used a file I’d purchases from Silhouette Studio. I determined the size based on the jar measurements.  These were about 3 inches by 1 inch.  I un-grouped the horn so I could use it separately.  Due to the nature of it’s design, I also had to cut a piece to support it.  To do this, I offset the horn and then cut the offset piece on cardstock.  I cut the gold horn pieces on glitter cardstock and then glued them on.

To make the horns I just quickly drew them on some glitter foam and made a template.  I then traced it on the back and cut as many as I needed.  I used both white and pink and then glued the pink on the front of the white so it would resemble ears.

Step 5:  Apply horn, ears and flowers

The last step is adding the horns, ears and flowers for embellishment.  I grabbed these flowers at the Dollar Tree and used them for several vases and the floral unicorn crown I made the girls.

I glued the horn and ears on first.  I found it a little difficult to get them to adhere to the glass, so I applied a bit of glue to the jar, let it dry, and then applied them and had no trouble with them sticking.

When adding the flowers, I just cut some from the bunches I’d bought, I left a little stem to make sure they’d stick well.  Again, I applied a drop of glue before actually attempting to adhere it.

I’ve still go to add my cut-outs and make some tissue balls, but I think these will be the perfect center pieces for our party!  I created a couple of the 2nd, painted,  kind to throw in there as well.

Painted Unicorn Mason Jar

This jar is actually little simpler to make and takes less materials.

Craftiness Level (0-10): 5

Time Investment: 30 minutes

Materials:

• glass mason jar
• white spray paint
• vinyl
• Silhouette Cameo or other cutting machine
• fake flowers
• glue gun & glue sticks
• cardstock (glitter and plain)

For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from these links I may make a small commission at no cost to you.

Step 1:  Spray paint your jar

The very first thing you need to do is spray paint your jar.  I just used a glossy white I grabbed at Walmart for a few bucks.

I’ve learned through the years that there’s a little bit of an art to spray painting.  It is very easy to run.  To avoid this, you need to small, even layers.  Be sure to spray at the recommended distance and do brisk, thin layers.  I don’t do one on top of another.  I will very lightly coat what I’m working on and head back inside for a few minutes and then come back out.  In order to achieve a smooth finish, I do this several times.

Step 2: Cut and apply your decal

For this part, I used the same file I used for the horn.  I just un-grouped it and used only the eyelashes.  I measured the jar to determine how wide to make them, and kept the height proportional.

Do not use transfer tape to apply the eyelashes!  The first jar I made, I did this and it pulled up the spray paint and left big  white spaces.  I had to scrap the whole thing and start over.  The eyelashes are small enough that it is really easy to apply them by hand.

Step 3: Cut horn and ears

As I mentioned in the tutorial above, to create the horn I used a file from Silhouette Studio and fit it to my jars.  I applied cardstock to the back to hold it securely.

The ears were hand cut out of foam glitter sheets.  I just eyeballed the measurements and made a template to trace again and again.   I glued them together to give them the appearance of horse ears.

Step 4:  Apply horn, ears and flowers.

Don’t forget to place some glue on the jar so they will hold better, as discussed in the glitter tutorial. I glued on the horn and ears first, and then added the flowers all the way around.

There you have it!  Cute and easy unicorn decorations.  These make great gifts for unicorn loving little girls!  Christmas is just around the corner!

I’ve got even more unicorn crafts coming at you soon, so stay tuned!

Like this tutorial?  Be sure to check out my Floral Unicorn Crown tutorial!  And be sure to follow me on Pinterest to see all the cute Unicorn things I’m pinning!