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How To Make A Unique Mason Jar Bank For A Wonderful Gift

With this craft, I have combined maps and Mason jars to make a travel-themed map Mason jar bank.

I’ve wanted to do a Mason jar craft for ages. It amazes me all the different ways you can upcycle a Mason jar, Angie of Country Chic Cottage must be the queen of Mason jar hacks and crafts.

By the way, we call Mason jars, Kilner jars in the UK. The jars here are made by the Kilner family and have Kilner embossed on the side, but otherwise, they are the same.

As usual, I couldn’t decide on just one map, so I made two map mason jar banks.

One for my son, who is saving up to go backpacking around South America. The other is for me and my husband to try and save for our next weekend city break.

When my friend returned from New York with a pack of city map paper napkins (Mapkins). I knew that I would eventually find something to make with them!

This is a very affordable craft that would make a fantastic map themed gift for anyone with wanderlust. The Mason jar bank is also very simple and, excluding drying time, takes about an hour to make.

Saving money for your travels can be fun with a map Mason jar bank.  These gorgeous upcycled mason jars decoupaged with paper napkins would make a lovely gift for anyone with wanderlust.  #maps #masonjar #decoupage #modpodge #masonjarbank

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What You Need

  • Empty Mason/Kilner jars – I had two very old ones at the back of my cupboard. You could use some normal old food jars, but you will need a Mason jar-style lid (the ones with the removable silicone seals).
Mason Jar and map paper napkins

How To Make The Mason Jar Banks

Step1. The first thing is to spray paint the outside of the mason jar, either white or cream.

This is because the paper napkins are very thin, and the cream background will make them less transparent.

Spray painted mason jar

Step 2: While waiting for the paint to dry, cut paper napkins into strips about 1″ wide using a rotary cutter and mat.

World map paper napkin cut

Step 3: Then, separate the top printed ply from the other two plys of the paper napkin strips. You will only need the top printed ply.

Separating top ply from a napkins

Step 4: Next, dilute the mod podge to half and half water to glue mixture.

Then, cover the painted jar with the glue mixture and carefully lay the paper napkins in strips onto the jar.

The jar is covered with glue rather than paper napkins because they are so thin they would tear if done the other way around. Find more paper napkin decoupage tips here.

Decoupaging a mason jar with paper napkins

Step 5: Use a dry clean foam brush to press the paper napkin strip onto the jar carefully.

Using a foam brush will reduce the risk of the delicate napkin tearing.

Mason Jar Decoupage

Step 6: Carry on adding the strips of paper napkin until the whole jar is covered. Take care to line up each strip in the right place.

Decoupage mason jar

Step 7: Finally, once the jar has been decoupaged, cover the jar with two layers of Mod Podge. Make sure the first coat is dry before adding the second.

These layers of Mod Podge act as a protective varnish.

Making The Mason Jar Bank Lid

Step 8: Remove the silicone insert from the Mason jar lid. Draw around it onto a piece of cardboard and cut out the circle.

Next, cut a coin slot into the cardboard piece and then decoupage it with a bit of the map napkin.

Drawing round mason jar lid
Mason jar map money box lid

Step 9: To finish off, make a luggage tag to add that personal touch.

You can get City Mapkins for lots of different cities, so you might be able to find one for a particular city you’d love to visit.

What city would you choose?

New York Map Mason Jar Bank
Map mason jar bank 2 ways

When he eventually travels, my son will bring home all the road and city maps he collects on the way. He wants to use them to make this cool DIY map art as a special memento of his trip.

Saving money for your travels can be fun with a map Mason jar bank.  These gorgeous upcycled mason jars decoupaged with paper napkins would make a lovely gift for anyone with wanderlust.  #maps #masonjar #decoupage #modpodge #masonjarbank

Don’t forget to check out all my other Map crafts and DIYs. Such as these stylish map-covered repurposed cookie tins or handy magazine holders. You can also find many more DIY gift ideas for men here.

Repurposed map cookie tins

I have a few other mason jar crafts on Pillar Box Blue. These jars were featured in the A to Z of upcycling resources, and you’ll find more cool decoupage ideas here. You’ll find a superhero version of these mason jar banks in this collection of superhero DIYs.

Linda

Monday 10th of July 2023

I love you map ideas! Now I know what to do with all the maps my husband and I used on our trips. Thank you for this>

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 11th of July 2023

Thank you, I save all the maps from my trips too!

Maria

Thursday 23rd of January 2020

This is fabulous! You got me inspired!

Claire Armstrong

Thursday 23rd of January 2020

Thank you, that is lovely to hear.

Linda at Mixed Kreations

Wednesday 22nd of January 2020

I love Mason jars and maps! This would be a fun project and super cute! I bet my grandson would love a bank like this.

Claire Armstrong

Wednesday 22nd of January 2020

Thank you, it does look good in my son's room and he does actually use it.

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