10 Things Tuesday: Glass Jars

I save almost every glass jar we use, from salsa and pasta sauce (which always stink a little inside no matter how many times you run them through the dishwasher) to applesauces and fruits (which smell DELISH).  I rarely, though, have anything in mind for these jars, and of course what they look like on the outside or how they smell on the inside will change what I do with them.  So I just have piles of glass jars sitting in the back room, waiting to be used.  Well, if you're in the same boat, here are a few ideas to get us started (in no particular order)!

10. Use as (party) glasses.  A lot of people reuse jars for drinking glasses; a Mexican restaurant we love does this, and it really does add a fun, rustic, festive ambiance to the dining experience!  You can also just decorate them pretty and fill them with a theme if you're doing a party.

9. STORAGE!  This is what I use almost all mine for--buttons, beads, pom poms, googly eyes, scrap ribbon off the spools, loose change SORTED BY COIN, etc.  You can store just about anything in glass jars, including bulk grocery items like spices or pastas...and they look gorgeous lined up on a shelf...plus, you always know exactly where everything is, 'cause you can see them!

8. Gifts-in-a-jar.  You know the kind--dry ingredients to various cookies or cakes or breads or cocoa, with a recipe or just-add-water directions taped all cutesy to the jar.  You can also make meals in a jar for when you and the family go camping. 

7. Make an "I Spy" jar (or treasure jar).  Using rice or mixed birdseed, and about 20-30 small items, make a nice toy for long car rides or rainy days!

6. Candles!  I've always wanted to make something like these for a deck or patio (can you imagine like 30 of these hanging above a picnic table?), but without a real patio or yard at the moment, it's on the backburner.  You can use glass etching paste to make just about any design permanent, like the first picture below, or just use some fabric scraps and rocks/gems for a muted but pretty effect, like the second photo.

5. Make a Journal Jar, or Sunday Activities Jar, or Conversation jar, etc!  Write writing prompts, Sabbath-appropriate activities, questions to answer (like what if?), or whatever you want, on small, colorful slips of paper, then put them in the jar and decorate the lid!

4. Make a cute jar pincushion that doubles as storage for buttons, safety pins, or spools of thread!

3. Use for sprouting/plant starters, or cover with fabric or crocheted cozies for something pretty.  Jars  can be used as-is for vases, or painted and ribboned and sequinned and beaded and fancy as all-get-out. :) But they're very IN right now, especially those mason jars, so use them!

2. Make a letter (for younger kids) or word (for older ones) game jar.  Cut out letters/words from magazine headlines (or just use magnet letters and a fridge), and while you're making dinner the kids can work on their spelling words or writing out silly sentences.  You can also use these for ransom notes (tee hee) or for fun storybook-making.  As a teacher, of course, I love this idea!  I also found another idea where, on a small shelf, there were 26 jars--one for each letter of the alphabet--and you filled them over time with small trinkets that started with that letter...which would be GREAT for preschool through first grade kids!  And they look pretty cool on a shelf!

1. Spooky Halloween decorations!  I found my inspiration HERE, and I must say, I love mine to pieces!

Other *INSPIRED* ideas (because 10 just isn't enough!):
* Terrariums & Aquariums: Terrariums are a great way to teach your kids about biology concepts, and aquariums...well, yeah.  Although, I don't think I'd put a live fish in any small jars, just because it's not a lot of space...but you can even make a fake aquarium using shells, toy fish, and fishing wire!  That would be cute as decor!

* Beach-in-a-jar: These are pretty popular around the home right now, too!

* Candy dispenser: If you have woodworking skills, this would be the craft for you!  There are a hundred variations, too...so go look around online for a style that's all YOU!

* Snowglobes: With a little water, glitter, glue, and something fun, you can make beautiful snowglobes.  But these don't only have to be for winter--you can make pretty spring snowglobes, too!

* Bookends: Just fill the jars with some sand or rocks, and put a little felt on the bottom so they don't slide too much.  Instant, possibly FREE bookends!

* Just reuse, of course!  You can store leftovers, soups, dips, etc. in jars, or use the canning ones again and again.  So reuse those jars in any way you can!

WHEW!  I hope SOMETHING on this list inspired you.  So, go to your boxes of empty jars and get started!

Linking up HERE, HERE, and HERE.