Editor's note: A big welcome to Lauren! A stylish, smart mom from Virginia. You can visit her at Petroni, and follow her on Twitter, too! It's great to have her.
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By Lauren
I love it when a humble, useful object becomes a beautiful, useful object, and few things are more useful than the Mason jar. Mason jars (and their petite cousins, jelly jars), have long been drafted to serve as drinking glasses, flower vases, and pencil cups, and I've been known to use one to shake up a vinaigrette. Lately, though, I've been amazed at how much this simple glass has to offer.
Christina posted back in January that she uses Mason jars as scrapbook substitutes, an idea which I love and plan to copy. But what about a light fixture made from jelly jars?
I love this Mason jar-inspired drink dispenser from Pottery Barn.
And I had never thought of using sandpaper on the top of a jelly jar to create a clever matchstick holder.
My little sister decorated her wedding site with Mason jars, wired to hang and filled with flowers. They also become an elegant centerpiece used en masse and lighted with flickering candles.
They are charming attached to a board and used for bathroom storage.
I'd never thought of this one, but I might have to put together a mini Mason jar sewing kit for my guest room.
What is your favorite use for the humble Mason jar?
{Photo credits: None via Jessika on Pinterest, etsy.com via Anne on Pinterest, potterybarn.com via laurenpetron on Pinterest, craftaholicsanonymous.net via laurenpetron on Pinterest, weddingwindow.com via Jennifer on Pinterest, lizmariegalvanblog.blogspot.com via Kristi on Pinterest, frugalflourish.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest.}
I love the bathroom storage. I may have to do that.
Posted by: Jennie | June 22, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Oh my goodness - the matchstick holder and the sewing kit are GENIUS. I really want to do them both now. Thanks, Lauren!
Posted by: Sarah in Ottawa | June 22, 2011 at 02:20 PM
I love that sewing kit idea. I might have to try that.
Also, the Pottery barn dispenser is adorable. I can't imagine when I would ever use it but I want one!
Posted by: Danielle | June 22, 2011 at 02:49 PM
So, no one can ever find their matches, because matchboxes just aren't pretty to leave around. Not a problem anymore! What a genius idea!!!! I might have to make some of these for Christmas stocking stuffers!
Posted by: Heather | June 22, 2011 at 06:23 PM
The matchstick storage is genius! Love it!
Posted by: agirlandaboy | June 22, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Welcome to the Lush family!!
I love mason jars, and use them for everything from food storage to decoration. We used them liberally at our wedding as well! My favorite summer use is to put them all over the deck - all different sizes - with tea lights in them. It's a cheap, easy, and super charming way of bringing atmosphere to a gathering.
I LOVE the match idea! I may have to make one and keep it outside for all my deck candles!
Posted by: Caitlin | June 23, 2011 at 09:59 AM
My boyfriend uses one of my quart mason jars as a Hillbilly Martini shaker. The jar holds up fine when shaken with ice in it(lid and ring in place) then he just slides the lid back to strain the ice.
Posted by: Annette Lowrie | June 25, 2011 at 05:26 PM
http://lifescollections.com/reuse/mason-jar-memories/
Posted by: az | June 26, 2011 at 04:16 PM
I have used mason jars for crafts before, too. I love mason jars. My son has an abundance of sand paper, so I think I might have to steal one of my jelly jars for matches, I love that idea.
Posted by: Janet | June 27, 2011 at 08:29 AM
I have lots of mason jars that I used for canning, but I no longer can veggies anymore. Was looking for some great uses for them! Thanks!
Posted by: LInda | June 27, 2011 at 04:14 PM
How cool is this. Very good ideia.
Posted by: Elaine | June 28, 2011 at 05:22 AM
I punch holes in the lids of mason jars, fill them with syrup, and voila - feeders for my beehives. I also use mason jars in my jewelry studio to hold the various solutions I use in jewelry making, like pickle, or liver of sulfer.
My grandpa used to nail the lids of jars to a board, and hung them on the rafters over his basement workbench. Inside the jars he would keep his screws, nails, doo dads, and other tiny things. He could glance up, spot what he wanted through the jar glass, and with a twist, unscrew the jar and get what he needed. He also used baby food jars for this.
Posted by: Leeann Coleman | June 28, 2011 at 01:58 PM
you must need magic for that sandpaper to ignite those matches. striking those matches (clearly they don't have a white head, so they are not strike anywhere matches) requires the striking strip from the box in order for combustion. the strip contains phosphorus and the match head contains potassium chloride which when collided with one another results in an exothermic chemical reaction.
Posted by: Worth | June 29, 2011 at 09:34 PM
Leann,
What great ideas! I've seen the jars used as nail, screw, etc. holders. So handy.
Annette,
I LOVE the hillbilly martini shaker idea!
Worth,
I hadn't thought about the need to make sure any matches used in the match-holder project are of the strike-anywhere variety. (I didn't make the holder or take the photo, so I can't speak to what kind of matches were used in the photo.) Good reminder to use strike anywhere matches.
L
Posted by: Lauren | June 30, 2011 at 03:21 PM
I'm a big fan of this use for a mason jar--http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1GGJFF/blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2011/04/08/rainbow-cake-in-a-jar
Posted by: Lizzi | July 01, 2011 at 01:20 PM
we like that jarmakers crafts.we love to make any things crafts. pls u will send jarmakers craftsbooks for sample. our address; sheila allen/barbara gonzales 507 e. santa fe ave blackwell,okla 74631. thanks/god bless all. betty howell
Posted by: nancy pruitt | July 05, 2011 at 05:59 AM
mason jars fit on most blenders as well.
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Posted by: rachel robinson | July 06, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Well, I was browsing Stumbleupon as I'm always looking for smart ways to decorate the home and found this page!
I really enjoyed these ideas for using jars. And to be honest, I fell in love with those jars used as bathroom storage! This is a very clever and original way to use them.
Posted by: Holly Day | July 07, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Interesting... i love the fact that jars can be used in so many ways. :)
Posted by: Aaria | July 14, 2011 at 05:48 PM
I love your ideas for the jars. they look great.
Posted by: Carolyn | July 20, 2011 at 03:07 AM