Etching Cream

• Etching cream is a product that eats away glass to create a frosted surface. Use masking fluid or tape to cover the area that you want transparent, then spread etching cream onto the surface of the jar and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off. The etched areas will have a soft glow as the candle burns down. Always be careful to follow the directions that come with the etching cream and work on a protected surface.
  
  

Decorative Ribbons

• If you are in a hurry or do not have much money to spend decorating your candle jars, a simple bow around the neck of a candle jar can give it a touch of simple elegance. For holidays, use ribbons that reflect the theme of the holiday, like red, white and blue ribbons for a Fourth of July candle jar, or red and green bows for Christmas. Use ribbons to tie a note to a candle jar you plan to give as a gift.
  
  

Seasonal Decorations

• Whether it is for a holiday or just to match the changing decor of the seasons, you can use natural and seasonal elements to decorate your candle jars. Use craft glue to glue autumn leaves across the surface of the jar or simply arrange pine cones and evergreen sprigs around the base of the jar on a mantel or in the center of a table. In spring, place a candle jar in the center of a fresh flower arrangement.
  
  

Silhouettes and Stained Glass

• Drawing colored patterns on glass or covering up some areas while letting the light shine through others is an effective way to take advantage of the light shining through the jar. Use glass paint or cut colored cellophane into shapes and use clear-drying glue to arrange it in a stained-glass pattern on the glass of the jar. For a different effect, cut out black paper silhouettes and glue them onto the glass, or use waxed paper to create a soft glow in the middle of a cutout.