Subscribe to Country Charm by Tracy on YouTube
Flipping Dollar Tree signs into adorable rustic shelf sitters is a great way to create affordable and charming home décor. In this guide, Tracy from Country Charm by Tracy shares how she transforms wooden mason jar signs into vintage-inspired farmhouse decorations. These handcrafted pieces are not only perfect for everyday use but can also be customized for seasonal displays.
Key Takeaways:
- Distressing Techniques: Using the crackle technique with school glue and layered paint adds an aged, vintage look.
- Metal Ribbon for Realistic Lids: Specialty metal ribbon from Hobby Lobby mimics the look of mason jar lids for a polished finish.
- Burlap Pockets for Florals: Pre-made burlap pockets provide an easy way to add floral arrangements to the design.
- Adding Stability: Tumbling tower blocks help the mason jars stand upright, especially if the wooden cuts are uneven.
- Customized Tags & Bows: Printable tags, hemp cord, and rustic bows add personalized and decorative accents.
Transforming Dollar Tree Mason Jar Signs
Tracy begins by sanding off raised lettering on the Dollar Tree mason jar signs using a Gator sander. To achieve a rustic, distressed look, she applies a base coat of Pine Cone Brown by Dixie Belle, followed by a layer of school glue for the crackle technique. Once tacky, another coat of Dixie Belle paint is applied, resulting in a beautifully aged effect.
For additional distressing, Tracy lightly sands the edges and uses KILZ dark wax to highlight the texture. The final touch for the jar lid is a strip of metal ribbon, cut to size and secured using Gorilla Glue and E6000 for durability.
Creating the Burlap Pocket for Florals
To give the mason jar shelf sitters a unique touch, Tracy attaches a 3.5″ x 5″ burlap pocket to the back. A small block of Styrofoam fits snugly inside the pocket to hold floral stems in place. Larger tumbling tower blocks are glued to the back of the jars for added stability.
Using an upholstery needle, Tracy threads hemp cord through a punched hole in a custom-printed tag. A simple “junk bow” made from homespun fabric, lace, muslin, and cheesecloth is tied together and attached to the side of the jar for a touch of vintage charm.
Adding Greenery and Florals
Tracy arranges Amazon-purchased greenery inside the burlap pocket and secures it with a stapler for extra hold. She then layers in florals and small details like green berries (previously available at Hobby Lobby) or Sweet Annie, which can be found on Etsy.
For a whimsical touch, Cil grass, a wispy greenery from Amazon, is tucked into the arrangement. A tiny hemp cord bow is added to the tag, securing the design with hot glue to ensure everything stays in place.
These rustic mason jar shelf sitters are an easy and creative way to bring farmhouse charm into any space. Their versatility allows them to be customized for different seasons or left as timeless everyday décor. Whether for personal use or as handmade gifts, these upcycled Dollar Tree signs make for an affordable and stylish DIY project.