Create ways to repurpose your collection of Mason jars

Originally Posted on Emerald Media via UWIRE

If you have a collection of Mason jars stacked in a corner of  your house, we’ve got some great ideas to reuse them. They can be great household tools or decorations.

Mason jar photo frame

This would be a great gift that wouldn’t require much money, or if you just want a creative way to display a simple picture. What you will need is a Mason jar, a picture you would like to display, something to stuff in the jar (tissue, candy, fabric, practically anything. Be creative!), satin ribbon and a flower (to place on top of the jar. This is optional, some people like it closed with the lid or just leaving the jar open.)

Start off by printing your picture. I would recommend printing it out in black and white or sepia: It will emphasize the vintage feel. Then carefully place the photo facing outward in the jar. You do not need to tape or glue the picture in there. It will stay, I promise. After you place the picture, stuff the rest of the jar with whatever you want. I was poor and found this tissue from a shopping bag and just stuffed it. Look around your house, choose material that will enhance your photo and vibe.

If you want, you can top off the jar with a flower or simply seal it with the lid or leave it open. For the finishing touch, tie a ribbon around the jar.

Mason Lights

You can use your Mason jars as lights around the house. An easy way is simply placing a tealite candle inside the jar and call it good. Or, you can go over the top, and use a light bulb and a long extension light cord (with light plug attached), which I found at Ikea and a drill that will make a half inch hole.

What you want to do is drill the half-inch hole into the thin metal lid of the jar. That’s the hard part. After you have done that, take your extension light cord and screw the light bulb on one side of the lid and the other part of the cord on the outer part of the extension cord. Now, plug the cord in and hang your Mason light however you like. TA-DA!

Mason soap jar

To repurpose a Mason jar to be a soap dispenser, start off by drilling a half-inch hole in the lid of the jar. Make sure you measure and mark the center of the lid. This is where you will put the soap dispenser pump (found at any hardware store, Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) Fill the jar with liquid soap, insert the pump and start washing your hands.

Mason plant jar

Need a creative way to display your flowers? Change it up and spray paint your Mason jars. Place the flowers and add your own special touch with a ribbon, by painting your initials on the jar or drawing an animal on it.

You can also literally plant a flower, veggies or whatever you would like to plant inside the jar. All you would have to do is add soil, then watch your plant grow.

Spray paint your Mason jars

Spray paint adds character if you want to give your Mason jars a different look and feel. You can spray paint them for all of the projects we’ve mentioned so far, but if you are a simple person and just want painted jars around your house, do whatever floats your boat.

Use as a drinking tool

If you’re not the creative type, you can always save your jars and use them as cups. This idea comes in handy when you host parties, especially during spring term when you can serve iced lemon/cucumber water or beer.

If you are hosting a lunch or dinner with a group of friends, use these jars as a name card place holder, lamps, candle holders, center pieces, etc. These DIY ideas aren’t just for decorating your home — they can be great gifts that wouldn’t require you to spend a lot of money or any money at all.

Read more here: http://dailyemerald.com/2013/04/04/create-ways-to-repurpose-your-collection-of-mason-jars/
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