With this craft, I have combined maps and with Mason jars to make a travel-themed Mason jar bank.
I’ve been wanting to do a Mason jar craft for ages. It totally 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. As the jars here are made by the Kilner family and have Kilner embossed on the side but otherwise, they are exactly 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 gift for anyone with wanderlust. The Mason jar bank is also very simple and excluding drying time takes about an hour to make.
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What You Need To Make a Map Mason Jar Bank
- Empty Mason/Kilner jars – I just happened to have 2 very old ones at the back of my cupboard. You could just use some normal old food jars but you will need a Mason jar style lid (the ones with the removable silicone seals).
- One map paper napkin per Mason jar bank – I used a world map paper napkin for one jar. For the other, I used some New York map napkins (Mapkins) (other cities are available).
- Mod Podge Matte
- Foam brush
- Small piece of cardboard
- Travel tag
- Rotary cutter and mat
- White spray paint
How To Make The Map Banks
1.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.
2. Next, whilst waiting for the paint to dry, using a rotary cutter and mat, cut paper napkins into strips about 1″ wide.
3. Then, separate the top printed ply from the other 2 plys of the paper napkin strips. You will only need the top printed ply.
4. Next, dilute the mod podge to a half and half water to glue mixture.
Then, cover the painted jar with the glue mixture and then carefully lay the paper napkins in strips onto the jar.
The jar is covered with the glue rather than the paper napkins because the paper napkins are so thin they would tear if it was done the other way around.
5. Then, use a dry clean foam brush to carefully press the paper napkin strip onto the jar.
By using a foam brush you will reduce the risk of the delicate napkin tearing.
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.
7. Finally, once the whole 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
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.
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?
Don’t forget to check out all my other Map crafts and DIYs. Such as these stylish map covered repurposed empty 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.
Maria
This is fabulous! You got me inspired!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, that is lovely to hear.
Linda at Mixed Kreations
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
Thank you, it does look good in my son’s room and he does actually use it.
Skaie
What a darling, meaningful idea! I love how clever and sweet this idea is and kids and adults can both do and use this cute craft project! I’d find a map of New Zeland and add a tag that reads, “Dream Trip: Coins for traveling!” Bravo!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! New Zealand would also be a dream trip for me too, it’s somewhere I’ve never been but would love to go.
Shibhion Simone
What a great idea. I have a case of Mason jars that I picked up to do some canning one summer. Who was I kidding , right? Any who, still have the jars ans lots of really nice napkins. I have a pack of lovely peacock napkins that I plan to use for this project.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. I’m sure the Peacock napkins will look lovely on a mason jar.
Rosie (@greenrosielife)
I use mason jars for all sorts of food storage and a few other items too but never thought to take them to a new money saving level like this. I might see if the boys would like to create something similar so they can save up for future trips. #GoingGreen
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, my son loves his saving jar.
Scarlet
What a super fun idea. I love how well they came out and doing the lid to match was just a great touch too. Such a great gift for map lovers.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. I just love maps.
Kids of the Wild
Love these, what a great idea for holiday savings, kids leaving home etc. Great post #GoingGreen
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much.
Name*
These are just brilliant, such a clever idea and they look really good. Might have to give these a try.
Thank you for sharing.
#goinggreen
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, good like with it.
Gina Caro @ Gypsy Soul
These are really lovely. What a great way to reuse an old jar. They’d fit in nicely in our ‘travel’ themed downstairs toilet. #GoingGreenLinky
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, a travel themed toiletsounds interesting!
chickenruby
fab idea, i guess i could use christmas, birthday wrap etc jars to save for different occasions, i’ve got quite a few jars without the glass lids i could epicycle #goinggreen
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Christmas and Birthday wrap would work well too. You can buy replacement lids.
Nanci Ring
What a great technique! I didn’t have any napkins, so I tried it with gift wrap and it worked perfectly! Thank you!❤️
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, glad to hear it worked well with gift wrap too.
Susa
I adore these map jars. These would make great party favors. I can’t wait to start making a bunch of my own.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much. Happy Easter.
Sharon@bluewillowhouse
You combined two of my favorite things maps and mason jars. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle and I am featuring your map banks at the party today.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much for the feature.
Natasha
What lovely old jars! It’s neat that you didn’t have to age the lids yourself to match the maps’ vintage feel.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Natasha. The lids had just rusted all by themselves naturally.
Donna of Funky Junk Interiors
These ‘travel jars’ are so gorgeous! Love how you’ve joined the map together, so clever!
I’m featuring this project this weekend on DIY Salvaged Junk Projects. Thanks for linking up! 🙂
Claire Armstrong
That’s awesome, thank you so much Donna!
Maria
I love anything with maps and this is a delight!
Maria
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Maria. There is something about maps that just makes them so appealing.
Julie
Someone bought you map napkins??? How brilliant, I guess all your friends know how brilliant you are with maps! These are perfect, love them.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. All my friends and family know about my map,obsession, it’s pretty obvious when you walk in my house.
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
Oh I LOVE these! And — I know that you said you found the jars at the back of the cupboard but I LOVE the rusted lids!! They wouldn’t look half as effective if they’d got shiny lids. Aaah they really look fab Claire — thanks so much for sharing!! Cxx #HomeEtc — PS is Modge Podge the same as PVA?
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Caro. In most cases you can use PVA instead of Mod Podge and I often do but it’s slightly different. Mod Podge is especially designed for decoupage crafts. In this case you will probably be ok with PVA or a decoupage glue.
Cecilia
These are so fun, Claire! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm–pinned!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, and thanks for the share.
Audra @ Renewed Projects
These are amazing!!! The rusted rings add a charming element to the jars. Thank you for suggesting Mapkins, heading there now.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I hope you find some Mapkins for the city you want.
Chas
I really love these. They turned out so beautifully! Great job and thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, I’m also really pleased how they turned out. I think the trick was doing the napkins in strips.
Michelle Leslie
Those turned out so amazing Claire. Cutting the Mapkins into strips like that finishes it off beautifully. I never realized you could actually get something like that either. I’ll have to go see if they’ll ship to South Africa. I don’t recall seeing them in any of the crafts stores here
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Michelle. You’re more likely to find the napkins in tourist souvenir gift shops than craft stores, so check there first.
Condo Blues
What a fantastic idea! Thank you so much for sharing it at the Friday Favorites Linky Party. Cheers!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much!
Julia - Vintage with Laces
I’ve never seen map napkins before. They’re awesome and I love your jar banks, Claire.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Julia. I’m on the look out for some Hong Kong city Mapkins
Jane Taylor
They look so effective! Great idea for a money box. Thanks for sharing. #HOMEETC
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Jane,
Barbara
I had no idea that one can purchase map napkins. What a great idea. Your project instructions are very easy.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. You can get them for quite a few different cities.
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled
Great idea, especially to teach kids how to save $ for something they want. Love how rusted the caps of the jars are.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Victoria. Unfortunately, it’s also easy to raid, just take the lid off.