DIY PRETTY SOAP PUMPS OUT OF MASON JARS {TUTORIAL}

I've found my newest obsession!  Mason Jars!  You can use them for so many things.  Pretty things!  I was inspired by Jo-Anna's post, over at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs.  I went ahead and tried my own version, along with another decorative jar that you can store all kinds of pretties in.  Bath beads and salts, potpourri...  Or, you could be more practical and store Q-Tips or cotton balls.  The options are endless, really.

Aren't these adorable?  Wouldn't they make lovely gifts - as long as you're willing to part with them.

Read on and I'll show you how I made these lovelies...

You will need:

1. Large Mason Jar  (I found mine at Lowe's, in affordable multi-packs!)
2. Liquid Soap - I love the colored ones, to brighten things up a bit.  Choose what works with your decor.  Each jar shown has 24 oz. of soap in them.
3. Mod Podge
4. Printed, patterned paper.  I used scrapbooking paper for mine. When choosing your patterns, remember that it will be on a very small surface.  So, smaller prints will show better than big prints.
5. Small brush, for the Mod Podge, from a craft store.
6. Soap/Lotion pump.  I got mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond.  You could also reuse the ones that come with the liquid soap.  I chose not to because I preferred the silver tone over the clear plastic.

Let's start here...

1. Using a center punch (shown above), mark the center of the mason jar lid.  If you don't have a center punch, you can use the point of a pair of scissors.  The purpose of doing this is to create a divot for the drill to "find" to keep it from sliding and to use as a starting point.  I went all out with the first one I did.  I found the center by measuring, but it's really not necessary.  You can eyeball it because it doesn't have to be perfect.  Any imperfections will be covered.
2. Drill the hole.  I used a 1/2 inch drill bit.* (When I say "I", I mean my hubby - my arms aren't THAT hairy!) Here's a tip - keep the lid on the jar!  I was going to take the lid off and do it that way.  My hubby quickly corrected me.  You need the lid on the jar - tightly - so you can hold the jar and have leverage while the drill is in use.  You may hurt yourself otherwise!  Please use safety glasses.  We really did.  Little shards of metal may fly while you're drilling.  
3. Using a pair of wire cutters, I cut away the upturned pieces of metal from the jar lid that resulted from the drilling.  Safety glasses are especially important during this process! The metal cuttings will go flying when you cut them off.  Again, this doesn't have to be perfect.  The pump will cover any imperfections.

*Be aware that most common household drills only accommodate up to a 3/8 inch drill bit.  To work around this, you can purchase a 1/2 inch "step-down" drill bit, which is made specifically to fit a drill with a smaller opening.  It's not as wide at the top, where it fits into the drill, as it is in the body of the bit.  Ask a salesperson at your local hardware store to help you. They'll know what you're talking about.  

Now, on to the prettier side of things...

1. Draw a circle on your chosen pretty paper, using the lid as a template.  Then, cut it out.  It doesn't have to be perfectly round.  The other part of the lid will cover the outer edge of the circle.  Try to center the part of the pattern that you will want to view on the top of the lid.  Remember that for the soap dispenser, the very center will be covered by the pump.  Proceed to cut a small hole in the center of the circle, for the pump to fit through.
2. The circle of patterned paper should fit over the lid.
3. Apply Mod Podge to both the bottom and the top of the paper.  It will act as an adhesive to keep it fixed on the lid and also as a protectant for the paper.  You can also add a sealant if you find it necessary.  I applied a couple of coats to the top instead of adding a sealant.  This will keep the paper from getting wet. If you haven't used Mod Podge before, you should know that it will look very streaky and milky when you apply it.  No worries - it will dry clear.
4. Place the pump inside the hole of the lid.  I put mine there before the Mod Podge dried completely so the Mod Podge could act as a bit of an adhesive to keep it in place, without making it permanent.  You can choose to glue the pump down, if you'd like.  I wanted to be able to take it off to clean it, if I needed to.  Once the Mod Podge is fully dried, you're done.  For the smaller jars, the process is even easier.  You don't have to do any drilling.  Just use their lids as a template to cut coordinating circles for the tops of the jars.  

And now, you're done!  Just like that!

I've linked this DIY project up to: