Cute DIY Pencil Holder from a Jar (Free to Make!)

Turn a recycled jar into a cute DIY pencil holder in just a few steps! This pencil cup is easy and you probably have the supplies on hand.

Skills Required: Beginner. You’ll be using paint on glass and then Mod Podging scrapbook paper onto it. Anyone can do this project, including children.

Do you have a college-bound student that may need a cheap desk accessory for their dorm room? Or do you need an idea for a back-to-school teacher gift?

Raid your recyclables and make a practically free DIY pencil holder (it’s also a DIY pen holder – let’s be honest). You can customize this pencil cup idea so many ways!

DIY Pencil Holder

After my hubby and I polished off some chips and salsa recently. . . I  saved the salsa jar to make this fun craft! The nice thing is that I had all of the supplies in my stash.

This pencil cup is actually a perfect way to use up items in your stash without buying anything. You just need paint, a few sheets (even scraps!) of paper, and Mod Podge. This is the ultimate recycled craft. It’s perfect for back to school or an office or craft room.

Before I show you how to decorate your pencil cup, I wanted to give you a few tips on making this project. Hopefully these will lead you to DIY pencil holder success!

Removing Labels and Cleaning the Jar

Before you get started, you’ll need to remove the labels from your jar. I recommend some of the non-toxic methods in my DIY sticker remover post. Several readers shared their favorite methods and they work well!

Since you’ll be painting the inside of the jar, you should make sure that it’s completely clean so that the paint sticks well. You can do this by washing the inside of the jar with a mild soap and letting dry. Another option that I use here is to clean the glass with alcohol.

Paint to Use

Painting glass is really easy to do, though you’ll probably need several coats. I recommend using FolkArt Enamel or FolkArt Multisurface paints. They work really well on glass.

Painting Your Pencil Cup

You’re going to paint the inside of your DIY pencil holder. You can paint the outside if you like, but I find painting the inside of a jar looks more clean! Two important things to remember about painting glass:

1. Use a soft bristled brush. I like taklon brushes and I get all of mine at Michaels
2. Let the paint dry completely between coats; if you paint over glass paint and it’s not dry, you’ll take up what you just painted

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Are you ready to get to the pencil cup project instructions? This DIY pen holder is made in X easy steps. Keep reading below!

Gather These Supplies

• Glass jar to fit your pencils
• Mod Podge Gloss or Satin
• Enamel/glass paint
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Brushes
• Scrapbook paper, 2 patterns
• Sealant spray
• Craft knife and mat

Prepare the Glass

Remove any labels and clean your jar thoroughly. Using a rag, wipe the inside of the glass with alcohol and air dry. You should probably read our painting guide for glass too! Just so they turn out perfect.

Paint the Jar

Pour paint into the jar and then use a paint brush to spread a thin coat of paint to the inside surfaces of the glass. Turn the jar upside down over a paper towel to allow any excess paint to drip out. Allow that coat to dry and apply another layer as needed.

Dry and cure the paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Sometimes the glass paint can air-cure over several weeks OR can be placed in the oven to set the paint.

Apply the Paper

Cut a panel of your favorite paper to fit around the center of the jar. Cut a narrower piece of paper for another accent, if desired. Read our guide to Mod Podging on glass if you like before beginning the next step.

Apply a layer of Mod Podge to the outside of the jar and wrap and press the paper panel on top of it. Smooth out any bubbles as the glue dries.

If you find your paper keeps popping up, you might want to use a few rubber bands to keep it in place. Let it dry.

Apply a coat of decoupage over that paper and lay the second, smaller piece of paper on top.

Smooth out any bubbles and allow both panels of paper to dry. Brush on one to two more coats of decoupage over the paper to seal it.

Seal the Jar

Once dry, you can protect the decoupage by flipping the jar upside down and sealing it with a clear enamel spray. This is optional just to remove stickiness and make it more durable.

Use your fun new DIY pencil holder on your desk at home . . . or fill it with a bunch of pens, pencils and other supplies to give to a teacher you know!

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If you like recycled crafts like this DIY pen holder, there’s plenty more where that came from! Break out your bottle of decoupage medium and get started on these crafts you can make at home:

• Fabric Covered Boxes Made with Mod Podge
• DIY Book Safe to Hide Your Coolest Valuables
• Altoid Tin Crafts Made with Mod Podge
• Recycle Pill Bottles into Useful Organizers
• Make a Cell Phone Holder from a Lotion Bottle