Giving Vintage Jugs a Modern Look with Chalkboard Paint
Hi everyone! Has fall arrived in your neck of the woods yet? We’ve had a few brisk days, but as I sit and write this post, it’s sunny and 74°, LOL, but the sky is that deep, almost cornflower blue that I always associate with fall. It’s on its way, I know it is. Today I’ll help usher it in with a super simple (and I do mean simple) project, using garage sale finds (some vintage glass jugs) and chalkboard paint.
I think my love for old glass jugs, especially those with glass handles, began when as a child. I would help my father fill them with clear, fresh water from an old spring near my grandmother’s house. We’d fill enough jugs to last until our next visit.
Some of them had corks rather than caps, but the water always tasted the same from both–pure and delicious. When I found these two (at separate sales) for under a dollar, they came home with me. I love the bail on the left jug and the finger hold on the right one. I typically sell them for about $10.00 each, but I decided to keep them both and put them to good use.
Inspiration for just how to use them struck one day, in the form of the September Thrifty Chicks challenge: chalkboards. I decided to add a chalkboard label to the jugs so I could write the contents and guests could clearly see what drinks were available.
After thoroughly cleaning, bleaching, and drying the bottles, I taped off the areas I wanted to spray with chalkboard paint. I gave them each two coats of paint and let them dry overnight.
Then I removed the tape and paper to reveal these beautifully crisp- edged chalkboards.
I painted the larger lid with the same chalkboard paint, but found a clean, modern replacement top for the smaller jug. If I ever store anything in the larger jug, I will put a piece of plastic wrap under the lid, since it is a little “iffy.”
Before writing on the chalkboards, I primed them by rubbing the surface entirely with chalk and then erasing it. If you skip this step, you won’t be able to completely remove whatever you initially write or draw on it.
I filled the half gallon jug with Sangria and the gallon with blood orange lemonade (the latter seemed like too big a mouthful for the label, so I went with “Pumpkin Juice”).
Over the weekend, I picked up both the ceramic pumpkin mugs and the skeleton goblets. They make things more fun, don’t they?
I think someone made them in ceramic class, but the stem-handles are nicely done ($1.00 for the pair).
I bought the skull goblets with my sweet daughter in mind since she’s a big skeleton fan (25¢ each).
And the straws, well they came from my sweet friend Nancy. Do you all have a friend who thinks like you do, and who you know so well that when you need striped straws, you are fairly certain that she will have exactly what you need and be willing to share? That’s Nancy.
Please, take some time to check out
my fellow Thrifty Chicks’ terrific chalkboard projects!
1. How to Make a Chalkboard from a Mirror, by Shoppe No. 5
2. Giving Vintage Jugs a Modern Look with Chalkboard Paint, by Adirondack Girl @ Heart
3. DIY Chalkboard Scoreboard, by Just the Woods
4. Chalkboard Wall in the Pantry, by Lora B’s Create & Ponder
5. Chalkboard Message Center From Salvaged Cabinet Doors, by Interior Frugalista
6. Chalkboards in Any Color, by Little Vintage Cottage
7. Quick Easy Cookie Sheet Chalkboard, by Thrifty Rebel Vintage
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This is such a cute idea, Diana! Makes me look at things in a new way! Thanks for the inspiration!
Your welcome, Linda–so glad to provide a little inspiration 🙂
Great idea for labels on serving jars! Think you need to share the recipe for Blood Orange Lemonade-yum! Pinned.
Thanks Lora! I think it was a Trader Joe recipe, lol.
I need some skeleton goblets! What fun, are they old or modern? How wicked to have out for breakfast, especially if you have guests who are over staying their welcome…just being dramatic, need more coffee.
Ha ha–they’re new. I picked them up at a garage sale NWT, but I think they may have originally come from a dollar store.
So cute Diana!! I love old jars too but never thought to use them to serve drinks!!
Tania
Thanks Tania–it was a fun project 🙂
This is such a great idea, Diana! I am definitely going to be doing this on mine. Love those pumpkin mugs and skeleton goblets!
Glad you liked the project, Marie 🙂 Thanks so much for popping in–
I love this idea as I see these jugs at the Goodwill and other thrifts all the time. Thanks for sharing how easy it is. I have never used the chalkboard spray but I have seen it at good ole’ Walmart!
The spray makes it so easy to create chalkboards on so many things, AnnMarie 🙂 So glad you enjoyed the idea–
Thank You ! Nothing like giving something old a new life! Good job setting up this post. Now that you have more time, the skies the limit! Hope all is going well with your daughter at school. Mom is doing WELL!
🙂 She is doing very well and we get to see her this weekend for parents’ weekend–can’t wait to see her!!
I love this idea. You will be able to use these all year round. Your presentation looks so cute. I am partial to the pumpkin mugs but the skeleton goblets are adorable(if skeletons can be called that).
You’re right, Debra–they’re pretty versatile 🙂
If my old jugs don’t sell, I think I will jazz then up like yours. Great idea!
Thanks, Kathy–so glad you like the idea 🙂
What a great way to reuse some fabulous jugs! love how they turned out Diana. So fabulous!
Thank you Tuula–that’s so encouraging 🙂
The jugs look very cool, Diana. And those skull goblets are really unique. My daughter would love those, too. Are there any maker marks on them? Sure would like to find some!
Thanks, Naomi! Our daughters sound very similar 🙂 No, no makers marks, but I think they might have been from a dollar store. Happy hunting–
Such a fun idea, Diana!
Thanks Cecilia!
We collect growlers………hhhmm. Love what you did with the bottles. And the glasses are perfectly scary! Thanks for sharing at VIntage Charm!
xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home