Glass Jar Projects

I have this obsession with almond butter.

It’s heart healthy and delicious, plus it comes in cute little glass jars. I’ve been saving the jars knowing I could use it for something … I’m just not sure what.

So I’ve been researching projects I like involving glass jars – it’s recycling and crafting in one.

Glass jar spice rack

Start by mounting a sheet of stainless steel to the wall, then gluing neodymium magnets to the tops of one piece canning lids , filling the jars with your favorite spices and voilà! A space saving magnetic spice rack!

• Brushed Stainless Steel Sheet .035″ x 24″ x 48″, $47.12 at Online Metal Supply
• Neodymium Magnets, $8.99 at Almost Free Magnets
• 4-ounce Quilted Canning Jars, $12.95 for a case of 12 at Kitchen Krafts
• One-piece Jar Caps, $4.95 for 12 at Kitchen Krafts

For more on green crafting go to Crafting a Green World.

Recycled glass jar gifts

Put your recycled jar at the center of a gift bundle for a memorable gift. A gift bundle combines contents the recipient will use now with a container he or she can use later. The key to creating a good bundle is to start with a strong, unifying theme and apply it to the contents and the decoration.

Can you cook? The sky’s the limit. Preserves, jelly, chutney, and salsa — almost any treat can go into a jar. (Remember to use strict food-safety practices with home preserves; you don’t want to give your loved ones botulism for the holidays. A decorated jar can be a lovely way to present dry foods as well, such as peanut brittle, toffee, drop cookies or roasted or candied nuts. Pair it with Christmas ornaments or candles for a festive, colorful gift bundle.

For other gift bundles, think about ways to package an entire experience. Some examples are:

• A jar of popcorn with a favorite DVD
• A jar of bath salts or bubble-bath beads with a loofah, scrubber or foot massage roller (For a real winner, try putting all these gifts in a basket with a color-coordinated hand towel and a scented candle or lavender sachet.)
• A jar of gourmet cocoa powder with a jumbo mug
• A jar of loose tea with a pair of cups and a tea strainer
• A jar of dried beans — a bean soup mix — with a spice packet and a recipe (Lentils, pinto beans, red beans, black beans and white beans will look beautiful in layers. For color and extra kick, you may want to add a mini ristra — a garland of dried habanero peppers.)

For any gift bundle, presentation is important. A basket is almost always inexpensive and attractive. Depending on the contents, a cloth wine-bottle gift bag can be a striking way to bundle gifts. Focus on reusability in the container as well as the contents. Add a ribbon or some raffia, and you have a handmade, heartfelt, one-of-a-kind gift.

Chances are, once you’ve started thinking about ways to reuse glass jars, you’ll never throw one out again. Have fun, and don’t forget to share the results.

For more on this, go to TLC Family.

 Organization with glass jars

For more on this, go to Good Housekeeping.

Glass Jar Chandelier

Another great idea is to make your normal glass jars into fancy hanging glass jars. Simply add something inside the jar then place a tea candle inside. Use wire to hang it up and you have a unique chandelier.

For more ideas on this, go to Paige’s Sentimental Gifts.