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I buy specialty jams from a company in Michigan and the clear jars with silver lids are gorgeous. It hurts me to toss them but I'm not sure how I can alter them. I've already got them storing small things in my pantry, but I would like to figure out a way to alter them and use them for gifts of some sort, but I haven't got a clue. I'm in a rut when it comes to these jars.
Any suggestions? I've got sizes that range from 8.5 oz, 9 oz and 14 oz.
OK, I have a bag of these sitting in my shed and I cannot get rid of them either :-) The ideas I have don't involve altering the glass but putting something inside that is beautiful, then tying a ribbon around the lid. I've seen cookie mix, cake mix, hot chocolate mix, even soups in them and they look so pretty.
I remember when everyone was storing buttons, by color, in small jars such as those you are talking about. The bulk of my buttons (most that I inherited from my grandmother) are sorted by color and stored in old, blue Ball canning jars that used to belong to Grandma as well.
We buy scented candles at Walmart that come in jars with a sealed lid. I cringe every time I toss one in the trash. They are pretty heavy and the lid seals tight. I should start cleaning them out and using them to store opened packages of macaroni, sugar, coffee or whatever in my cupboard.
For gifts --
How about cocoa mix, dry soup mix or some other mix that your recipient can just add water, heat and eat?
Are they heavy enough that they can heat? If so, maybe you can make your own scented candle wax. (I did this many years ago, but found it was safer and cheaper to buy than make)
Do a search online for other jar projects such as these:http://diyforlife.com/101-clever-diy...ng-mason-jars/
__________________ Melissa59 ♥
Last edited by melissa59; 03-13-2016 at 03:42 PM..
I just saw on a blog about using jam jars for giving gifts of candy etc. She had bought little lambs at Michael's and glued them onto the top of the lids and then spray painted them pink. Just the animal and lid -not the glass, lol....They looked darling.........
You folks are all wonderful! Here's the link for the Jam Jars -- I buy a bit of everything they have so I have all sizes of their jars: https://www.spoon.com/
I love all of these ideas and will check them out. Thanks so much for these ideas and if you have any others, please share. When I said I have an abundance of them, I wasn't joking. My hubs is going to shoot me if I keep anymore of them without doing something with some of them.
I just saw a video where someone stored her colored pencils by color family in jam jars.
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
I have silk & paper flowers, glass pebbles, ribbon, buttons and sea shells in small glass jars all lined up on the window sill of my craft room. It looks so pretty and it's a two-fer because I'm storing small items in the jars.
I buy jam from France that comes in gorgeous jars too. Plus the labels come off really easily and there's no writing on the lids.
I've been known to give mixes in those jars for gifts. Like taco seasoning or ranch dressing or onion soup mix or cocoa or russian tea...the possibilities are endless.
You could also see if any of your friends or relatives have some special project that they could use the jars for. I've passed some down to my DIL for her projects.
You folks are all wonderful! Here's the link for the Jam Jars -- I buy a bit of everything they have so I have all sizes of their jars: https://www.spoon.com/
I love all of these ideas and will check them out. Thanks so much for these ideas and if you have any others, please share. When I said I have an abundance of them, I wasn't joking. My hubs is going to shoot me if I keep anymore of them without doing something with some of them.
YAY - I love jam - thank you for the link!
Put buttons or small embellies in them grouped by color. I'm going jam shopping
PoppyDaring -- that page is amazing! Thanks so much for the link. I don't think any of my American Spoon jars are big enough for this, but I do know some products I buy that might -- You've enabled me to start collecting something else. My hubs is gonna love you! (NOT!)
Thanks for that link! I am checking everything out and think these are some great ideas. With all this sharing, I ought to be able to come up with something.
My parents' next door neighbor makes the most wonderful homemade salsa--restaurant style. She usually makes a jar or two for my parents--and they're almost always in a jelly or spaghetti sauce jar.
I bet just about anything that you'd whip together and put in a bowl for guests would be a treat if it's sealed in a jar and wrapped with a ribbon.
Yes, my thanks also for supplying the direct link. I had tried to paste that but for some reason it would not work. Finally gave up and just gave the blog.
My parents' next door neighbor makes the most wonderful homemade salsa--restaurant style. She usually makes a jar or two for my parents--and they're almost always in a jelly or spaghetti sauce jar.
I bet just about anything that you'd whip together and put in a bowl for guests would be a treat if it's sealed in a jar and wrapped with a ribbon.
And heaven knows, we all have lots of ribbon, lol.......
The lids would be fun to alter - start with a cardstock circle cut to size and hot glued to the top, and some lace around the edge, then build up the top with a colored image, dimensional flowers, or an item that fits either with the contents or the recipients' taste.
Thanks for all the ideas, ladies, especially the non-food ones.
(I don't usually give food gifts because it's impossible to know all the allergy/diet restrictions/"I-don't-eat-food-from-other-people's-kitchens" situations.)
Is there a group near you of back yard gardeners who swap their excess produce and make jams, preserves etc. with the excess? We have one here and our members are always looking for jars that will seal. Ask around if you have too many to use for all these excellent ideas.
I make my own seasoning mixtures / meat rubs, BBQ sauces, marinades, etc. and store in little jelly jars.
Now, anyone that BBQ's, these make for great little gifts to put in gift basket for birthday, Christmas, Father's Day or just for the heck of it.
Lydia, you decorated a jar sometime ago with a black hat and around the lid had red ribbon?? I don't know what is called :-{, anyway it was beautiful.
I save and use my jam/candle jars for various occasions.
The Christmas ones have snowflakes, snowmen, or other embellishments.
Thanksgiving ones have turkey and fall flowers.
Valentine's have hearts and red ribbons.
Easter have chicks and bunnies sitting on the lid among flowers.
I fill them with candy and take them as door prices to my retiree monthly luncheons.
Any jar can be used for no special reason.
I made several for this months luncheon, just glued tiny flowers on the lid, spring colored ribbons and a paper butterfly from my die cuts.
This is another sample of a candle jar filled with silk flowers.
__________________ Irene I have learned one thing from our ancient Greek ancestors- PAN METRON ARISTON- "Nothing In Excess"
Last edited by Craftlover; 03-16-2016 at 06:14 AM..
I have been using jam jars for not only making my own jam but I have been trying to use more earth friendly products. I have been making my own hand cleaner using coconut oil, baking soda and essential oils. Then I package them in the jam jars and have given them to friends and family. Everyone has been very happy to receive them. Because the jars are smaller, I have been able to make half with lemon and the other with lavender. Love how it cleans the hands and leaves them soft and smelling heavenly, not over powering.
I have been using jam jars for not only making my own jam but I have been trying to use more earth friendly products. I have been making my own hand cleaner using coconut oil, baking soda and essential oils. Then I package them in the jam jars and have given them to friends and family. Everyone has been very happy to receive them. Because the jars are smaller, I have been able to make half with lemon and the other with lavender. Love how it cleans the hands and leaves them soft and smelling heavenly, not over powering.
I'd try the ideas mentioned (hot chocolate or small candies/treats as gifts came to mind first) but I also had one more. Try selling/giving them to a bride! Many DIY brides are doing their own centrepieces (candle holder or small case) or decor and jars are hot! I've seen them wired and hung in trees with candles in them and they are lovely! And ties to the chairs with flowers in them. If you are enterprising, you could wire them up and sell them that way or turn them into candles.
The mixy matchy look is huge so the fact that they are all different should be fine. My sister had a variety of small glass jars and vases on the table with one or two flowers in each for her centrepieces. A florist might even buy them from you.
Many bakers are into baking in small jars and food bloggers use them for styling so that's another possibility of you want to give some away and know anyone like that. You should google 'desserts in jars'. It's a big deal.
Any Ideas for Using Jam Jars?
there must be someone near you ... kijiji maybe? Maybe a farmer's market visit would hook you up with a jam maker. Just a thought 
