This DIY (do-it-yourself) Chalkboard Label Dog Treat Jar makes a great Christmas or Hostess gift.

For anyone who feeds a variety of treats, you can keep track of what you put in the jar by writing the contents on the “chalkboard” label.  If you are giving the jar as a gift, fill it with treats and write the name of the treats on the label.

Materials Needed For A DIY Chalkboard Label Dog Treat Jar

You can buy Chalkboard paint at most craft stores.  It comes in various colors such as black, white and gray.  I chose black for my project.

Tip: If you want to make a glass treat jar, make sure to buy a Multi-Surface Chalkboard Paint.  Some of the chalkboard paints will only work on porous surfaces, so make sure you get chalkboard paint that is appropriate for glass.

You can use any glass jar with a lid for your treat jar.  I cured the paint by baking the jar in the oven (more on that later).  If you plan to cure your jar by baking it, make sure anything that can melt is removable.

Once you have all your materials together, you are ready to make a chalkboard label dog treat jar.

6 Simple Steps To Make A DIY Chalkboard Label Dog Treat Jar

1.  Clean the outside of the jar with alcohol or window cleaner and allow to dry.  This will ensure that you are painting on a nice clean surface.

2.  Make a stencil for your chalkboard label.  There are several ways to make a stencil.  You can cut a free hand shape in paper or card stock, use painter’s tape to make the stencil, or find a pattern on the internet–print it and cut out your shape.

3.  Use a foam brush to paint a thin coat of chalkboard paint in one direction over the stencil (say crossways).  Allow the paint to dry for 1 hour.  Then paint another thin coat in the opposite direction (say up and down).  Allow the paint to dry another hour and carefully remove the stencil.  (Consult the label on the paint for drying time.)

Tip 1: Even though some streaks of glass may show through the paint, trust me it will fill as it dries.  It is better to paint another layer rather than glob the paint on too thick.

Tip 2: The painter’s tape seemed to yield the cleanest lines when removed.  I had to do a bit of clean up with the paper and card stock.

4.  Cure the paint.  The chalkboard paint I bought suggested two methods to cure the paint on glass.  The first was to allow the paint to dry 21 days.  The second method was to bake the jars.  I did not want to wait 21 days, so I used the baking method.

I put the jars on a tray and then into a cold oven.  I turned the oven on and set it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  The jars needed to start in a cold over and come to temperature slowly to prevent cracking.  Once the oven reached temperature, I baked the jars for 30 minutes and then turned the oven off allowing the jars to cool inside the oven.  Wait 72 hours before using the jars.

5.  After the jars have cured, rub the chalkboard label with chalk and wipe off.  This gives the paint a matte finish.

6.  Embellish the jar with ribbon and a jar charm if desired.  I used a permanent marker to write “hand wash” on the jar charm.  Fill the jar with your favorite treats and use some chalk to write the name of the treat on the chalkboard label.  (To erase the chalk–just wipe with a dry eraser, clean cloth or paper towel).

Tip: If you are giving a jar filled with treats as a gift, cut off the part of the treat package with the ingredients and guaranteed analysis and include it in the jar.

This is a great DIY project that can easily be completed in an afternoon (plus baking time).  I plan to give some as gifts to pals with dogs, but I also made a larger jar to use as a cookie jar which I also plan to give as a gift.

Do you think you might try this DIY project?