Miniature Dollhouse Jar Tutorial
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Who knew the plastic eraser cap from a mechanical pencil could become the most convincing little mason jar for your dollhouse kitchen? Filled with tiny polymer clay vegetables and sealed with Triple Thick, these jars look absolutely stunning lined up on a pantry shelf or kitchen counter. A clever, satisfying project that's as fun to make as it is to display!
Pro tip: Keep a wet washcloth or wet wipe nearby throughout this project — Triple Thick gets sticky fast and you'll want to keep your fingers clean as you work! |
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Supplies:
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For Personal Use Only Please
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Step 1 — Prepare the Jar Bodies
Remove the plastic eraser caps from your mechanical pencils — these become your jars! Note that the caps have small holes in them, so work on a tile or other protected surface to catch any Triple Thick that leaks through during the filling process.
Remove the plastic eraser caps from your mechanical pencils — these become your jars! Note that the caps have small holes in them, so work on a tile or other protected surface to catch any Triple Thick that leaks through during the filling process.
Step 2 — Make the Lids
Using your 3/8" circle punch, punch out 7 circles of card stock. Apply a small amount of glue to one circle and stack another on top, repeating until all 7 are glued into a neat, even stack. Allow to dry completely. Once dry, paint the top and sides of the stack with gold paint and set aside to dry — this is your jar lid!
Using your 3/8" circle punch, punch out 7 circles of card stock. Apply a small amount of glue to one circle and stack another on top, repeating until all 7 are glued into a neat, even stack. Allow to dry completely. Once dry, paint the top and sides of the stack with gold paint and set aside to dry — this is your jar lid!
Step 3 — Make the Miniature Fillings
Now for the fun part — creating the tiny contents for your jars! Try these ideas or invent your own:
Now for the fun part — creating the tiny contents for your jars! Try these ideas or invent your own:
- Carrots: Roll a thin snake of orange polymer clay, bake for 10 minutes, then slice into small rounds
- Green beans: Roll out thin strips of green polymer clay and bake for approximately 10 minutes
- Peas: Use small green seed beads — no baking needed!
- Corn: Use tiny yellow beads for a quick and easy option
Step 4 — Fill the Jars
Place your eraser cap with the open end facing up. Add a small amount of your chosen filling, then use a toothpick to add a little Triple Thick on top. Continue alternating layers of filling and Triple Thick, gently pressing down with the toothpick as you go, until the cap is full but not overflowing.
Note: A small amount of Triple Thick will leak out through the holes in the bottom of the cap — this is normal! The amount is minimal and dries quickly. Wipe away any excess before setting aside to dry.
Place your eraser cap with the open end facing up. Add a small amount of your chosen filling, then use a toothpick to add a little Triple Thick on top. Continue alternating layers of filling and Triple Thick, gently pressing down with the toothpick as you go, until the cap is full but not overflowing.
Note: A small amount of Triple Thick will leak out through the holes in the bottom of the cap — this is normal! The amount is minimal and dries quickly. Wipe away any excess before setting aside to dry.
Step 5 — Attach the Lid
Once the Triple Thick has dried completely, flip your jar upside down so the holes are now on top. Apply a small amount of glue to your gold card stock lid and press it firmly onto the top of the jar. Allow to dry fully — your miniature jar is complete!
Once the Triple Thick has dried completely, flip your jar upside down so the holes are now on top. Apply a small amount of glue to your gold card stock lid and press it firmly onto the top of the jar. Allow to dry fully — your miniature jar is complete!
Tips & Ideas
- Make a whole pantry collection by varying the fillings — try jams, pickles, honey, or spices using different coloured clays and beads
- Labels: Print tiny jar labels from your computer to glue around the outside for an incredibly realistic pantry display
- Jam jars: Use red or purple clay for strawberry or grape jam; a tiny circle of fabric glued under the lid looks just like a real preserve jar topper
- Colour the Triple Thick: Add a tiny drop of acrylic paint to the Triple Thick before filling for tinted "liquid" contents like juice or syrup
- Display ideas: A row of these on a kitchen shelf, inside a pantry cabinet, or on a farmhouse-style open shelving unit makes for a breathtaking scene
