I am so excited about this post!
One of my very first posts (over a year ago, wow!) was about the many uses of mason jars. Within my post, I discussed one particular way to use mason jars to showcase photographs suspended in oil for a unique spin on picture display.
“Lastly, a less common but very interesting way to use mason jars is to make it into a one-of-a-kind picture frame. The clear jars would be best for this, and by pouring olive oil (try to avoid the garlic kind — could get stinky!) in the jar with an upright picture, you can get a sepia effect and a new way to display your pics.”
Inspired by: Flickr
Over the past year, I have received many comments and questions about how exactly to go about recreating the photograph in the mason jar. Mostly what I have been asked is “Would a color or black and white picture work best”?
And after an in-depth experiment when I was bored to tears on one night…I finally have answers.
To break it down for you more easily, I’m about to get old school on you by using the scientific method.
- Question
- Research
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
- Conclusion
- Communicate
Why yes readers, that is Edward Cullen awaiting me at our lab desk. The lab desk that we share. We share it since we are lovers...I mean partners. In science. And perhaps in life as well.
Me like-a-da Ray Bans :)
Back to the business at hand…
1. Question: What type of picture will work best to re-create this mason jar picture frame? Color, black and white, sepia, or antiqued/faded?
2. Research: Google helped me see if there were any other great answers out there. There are not.
3. Hypothesis: After my research and personal opinions, I believe a black and white picture would make the photo in my mason jar picture frame most visible.
4. Experiment: Using a cake pan filled with about a half inch of olive oil (don’t worry, I didn’t waste much…I used it to cook some pasta afterwards), I submergered 4 different pictures/treatments to figure out which looked best and the most clear. If you want to re-create it to figure out the best results for your particular picture, by all means go for it. Try these easy steps:
Step 1: Fill pan with 1/2
COLOR PHOTO
Step 2: Grab a regular color photograph.
Step 3: Submerge color photograph.
Step 4: Observe results. Then repeat for each time of photograph you are considering.
BLACK & WHITE PHOTO
Black & white photo.
Black & white photo in olive oil.
Black & white photo in olive oil results.
FADED/ANTIQUED PHOTO
Faded/antiqued photo
Faded/antiqued photo in olive oil.
Faded/antiqued photo results.
SEPIA PHOTO
Sepia photo.
Sepia photo in olive oil.
Sepia photo results.
5. Conclusions: This is a multi-part conclusion.
1) It appears to me that the original mason jar used a black and white photograph in the olive oil.
2) However, I actually ended up liking the effect of the antiqued/faded picture the best.
Therefore as our friend Captain Planet would say, the power/choice is yours.
6. Communicate your results: Done. Boom.
I actually did this after your mason jar post last year! I used a color photo!!! They are in my room in Houston, will send a photo when I’m home!
I love love loveeeee the picture in the mason jar! What a great idea :-D Also, what a great idea with olive oil. I shall be trying these out! Thanks for the ideas :)
Does it have to be olive oil? I’m so cheap, I would hate to waste olive oil…. what about the cheapo vegetable oil? :)
I am thinking just teh same way! I would be sorry to use my precious, delicious, extra virgin, imported olive oil, and there are so many other options…would they work out well?
Hi Amalja! I’m pretty sure you could buy cheap-o olive oil from the grocery store or even use Canola oil. However, I don’t know the long-term effects of one versus the other. If you end up trying something else, let me know how your DIY project turns out! Thanks for reading.
Hi Nadia! Thanks for reading :) I definitely think you could use vegetable oil for the same purpose — great thinking!
Is it literally in the olive oil? The oil doesnt ruin the picture and make it fade?
Hi Mary! Yes, I literally used olive oil — Rachael Ray’s to be exact…although I’m sure I could have bought cheaper oil to save my good stuff for cooking :) Unfortunately, I’m not sure how the oil affects the photographs over time. I think it’s safe to say you should use a copy of a picture in the oil, just in case it has an adverse affect if you try to take the picture out.
This is genius. PERFECT gift for my beau’s birthday!
How long does the picture last in the olive oil?
Hi Michelle! Thanks for reading. Unfortunately, I do not have any statistics on how long the picture lasts although I am under the impression that oil can preserve things for decades. The picture will probably not be usable if you ever decide to take it out of the oil, so I recommend using a copy of a picture — not the original — if you are worried about that. Hope that helps!
I want to know the same thing as everyone else! Do you have to use olive oil? Will the picture last indefinitely? Don’t want to redo the decor in 2 months.
Hi Anna! I don’t have a definite answer to your question although I know that if oil is not exposed to freezing or boiling temperatures, it can last up to 3-4 years. I hope that helps a little :)
[...] I’m totally loving this idea. Mason jar + Olive + Photograph = an awesome photo display for your home. What a great gift idea! See it at — DIY: Photographs in Oil « The Funky Bear. [...]
This is way too cool. I love it! WOW. I love the black and white look and this is a fabulous way to make a special item for someone who has everything.
TFS
what a super great idea!! I know now what I am gonna be doing for christmas!!!! thanks for sharing …
Good luck! Send me a picture of your final product to share with everyone: thefunkybear@gmail.com
Rachel Ray’s olive oil is pretty expensive. You can get olive oil at the Dollar Store. I buy mine there for cooking and can’t tell the difference. Give it a try.
That is a great idea — especially for projects :)
I was thinking that I could laminate the photo before I put it in the oil to keep it preserved even more..
What a good idea! Send me a picture if that works out for you so everyone can try! thefunkybear@gmail.com
Why dont you just laminate the photo and then put it inside? it will stay forever,then you can colour it and add glycerine and water, that would look great too,just an idea,,,
oops didnt see the laminating idea was mentioned in a comment earlier,, great minds think alike,,,
I have been a photographer for years. The new emultions on true photographs not ones printed on a computer printer, but exposed and printed on pnotographic paper should last as long as the oil. It may or may not come out of the oil but there is so much ‘plastic’ in the papers that I really can’t even imagine it hurting it. And truly a duplicate print is always a good idea.
[...] Photograph display in olive oil- Funky Bear Decor [...]
Does the picture stay stationary or does it move around in the jar? I wasn’t sure if I needed to glue it down to the bottom of the jar to keep it straight up or not. Thanks!
Thank you for this idea! I used my cousin’s engagement picture I received with their wedding invitation and laminated it. I gave the jar to her at her bridal shower and it was a HUGE hit!
It stayed stationary!
Super cool idea. My guess is that the pic won’t last forever in oil ~ just a cool effect that may last a few years, who knows. I have some leftover cooking oil from using a deep fryer so this might be a good way to upcycle it. I too can’t really see wasting good olive oil. Also, you used the oil in the this experiment for cooking after you put photos in it?!?
Thank you for this idea! I used my cousin’s engagement picture I received with their wedding invitation and laminated it. I gave the jar to her at her bridal shower and it was a HUGE hit!
Yes, that’s what I wanted to know. Will the photo float around? Does it need to be secured to the bottom of the jar?
Love this! I’m going to use it for a kitchen themed bridal shower! Thank you!
I had the same question as Malina. Did you attach the photo upright in any special manner? Thank you for sharing this brilliant idea!
Can I use a cardstock invitation in the mason jar with olive oil?
[...] Probably not your first thought when using a Kilner jar, but a DIY photo frame in a Kilner Preserve Jar 1ltr will certainly make a unique piece for your mantlepiece. Simply get a copy of your favourite photo and submerge it in oil. Full instructions can be found at Funky Bear Decor blog. [...]
I was wondering myself how you go about keeping the picture straight?
[...] In preparing my for one of my best friend’s wedding, I checked out her registry for her wedding gift. After perusing every category from “Fine China” to “Table Linens,” I realized I could not afford ONE thing on her list! I am already flying back to San Francisco for the big day, so I needed to cut costs anywhere I could. BINGO! I went right to Pinterest to find some good old adult-crafting inspiration. I cam across this idea and knew this would mean more to her than any table-cloth or cup. I got about 7 large mason jars and some Costco size jugs of olive oil. I then stalked her in Facebook and found some amazing engagement photos of her and her fiance, as well as some crucial gal-pal pics. I am going to put them in an old wood crate, probably an old wine box, with some hay (I’m living in Montana so this stuff is FREE). Hope she loves them and puts somewhere special! For a full explanation, click here. [...]
Do you need to cut the cot.ers of the photoz? And what do you do to make the photo stY in place? Very cute idea. I like it and as one person stated good gift for someone who has everything. Please if you can reply to my post so I can get a head start on Christmas gifts. Thank you…. :)
iam using a black and white photo…just not sure what you used on the back of the jar? thanks
Can you write a message or somehow put a message on the back of the photo and it last too? or can you do two photos back to back in the jar so you don’t see the ugly back of the photo?
I was wondering, does it matter what type of paper the photo is on? If so, what should I use/not use.
Also, would adding glitter work?
Combining this with a mason jar lamp would be very cool!
Malina, I am planning on doing this for my wedding centerpieces and I experimented on one. I found that the picture started to curve a little bit, making the images seem a little distorted. I’m going to try to glue the picture to the bottom to see if that helps. Good luck!
Love this idea, I’m in the process of doing this! However, if I were to write something on the back of the picture in sharpie, would it bleed off and ruin the picture or color of the oil?? If u can email me back at shellyhook@ymail.com that would be amazing :D <3