Hey, IHeart readers! I don't know about you, but I feel like jars are everywhere right now. And they aren't just for jam anymore. People are putting desserts, flowers, candles, body scrubs, herbs, etc. in jars. So today I'm stopping by to share how I've used jars in my organizational efforts in my recently updated home office/craft room. I'm also sharing how you can use jars to organize other items in your home.
A couple years ago, I picked up a box of vintage Ball mason jelly jars at a thrift store for $1 each. They were too unique to pass up. When I purchased them I didn't have a certain use in mind, but I knew I could find something to do with them. Ultimately, I put most of the jars to use in my home office/craft room.
They're prefect for storing my bakers twine.
Buttons.
Washi tape.
And for displaying my late grandmother's vintage wooden thread spools.
But I know not everyone has small craft or sewing supplies to store. So I thought I'd share some other ideas of how you could put jars to use in your home.
Loose change a problem? Keep a jar in the spot where you or your partner tend to set down your coins.
Add some character to your bathroom by storing cotton swabs or cotton balls in jars.
Dog treats look better in a jar than in the box or bag they came in, don't you think?
Here are some other things you could store in jars:
extra paint for touch-ups • clothespins • safety pins • sewing supplies • makeup sponges • nails • crayons • tealight candles • flatware • matches • cupcake liners • pencils • pens • markers • wine corks • cake decorating tips • candy • baking/cooking ingredients • golf tees • yarn • costume jewelry • makeup brushes • homemade laundry detergent • pushpins
Really, the list is endless. And remember, jars come in all shapes and sizes so you're not limited to storing only small items in jars.
How do you use jars in your home to stay organized?
"Hey friends! I'm Chelsea from Two Twenty One! I'm a twenty-something living in Indiana with my husband, Brad, and our crazy mutt, Jack. My loves are photography, travel, DIY projects, baking, wine, sarcasm and my iPhone. The husband and I are attempting to make our home a little less cookie cutter and a lot more awesome. My little slice of the internet, Two Twenty One, is where I share my latest home improvement projects, furniture makeovers, crafts, recipes and home & seasonal decor ideas. I am beyond excited to join Jen and the rest of the IHeart Organizing team!"
I love storing things in Ball jars! I already put cotton balls and swabs in them, like you suggested. In addition, I store almonds (for quick snacking access), flax seed, and some other dry ingredients in them in the kitchen. I use a big one to store some of my makeup brushes.
ReplyDeleteChelsea, where do you get your washi tape? It was like $5 a roll at Michaels. I am too cheap for that!
ReplyDeleteHey, Amanda! I purchased my washi tape from Target (office supply section). I think it was $4 for 4 rolls.
DeleteAwesome! Thanks! I can get on board with that!
DeleteAny ideas on where I can find jars and lids like those in Canada? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi, Brenna! Those are vintage Ball mason jars so you'd have to hunt for them at flea markets, thrift shops, or on eBay.
DeleteI saw a set of vintage mason jars at Michaels yesterday. It was a little pricey but worth it if you have a coupon. I believe it was a set of 4 or 6.
Delete-Heather
Where did you get the galvanized tops? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe zinc lids are original to the jars. You could try to find similar lids on eBay-- I don't think Ball makes zinc lids anymore.
DeleteThese are so great! That is such a good idea using them to hold your craft and sewing supplies! I need to get my hands on some of these!
ReplyDelete-Sarah
limitedspaceorganizing.blogspot.com
Could use a baby food mason jar (small size) for storing pacifiers (soothers) in the diaper bag so they don't get dirty.
ReplyDeleteI love mason jars! I use them to store rice and pasta too! You are so lucky to have a craft room - it's my dream to have a room like that!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! And I just love these photos too - everything looks so pretty in jars. Thanks, Chelsea!
ReplyDeleteChelsea, Great post! I love that you use so many photos all along the way. Don't we all love pretty pictures? :) Anyway, I wanted to comment specifically on your spools of thread. It never occurred to me that the little wooden spools are a thing of the past! They are second nature to my mind since that's always what my mom had when I went digging into her sewing box when I was a child, but you are so right, they are so pretty in clear jars and worth saving if you have any!
ReplyDeleteAnita Y in Southern California
Thanks, Anita! They're definitely worth saving. I think it's a great way to remember my grandma and her love of sewing.
DeleteMe too! I think I may ask for mine now. Great thought!
DeleteI too am OBSESSED with storing things in jars! I love decorating with vintage mason jars, too sweet!
ReplyDelete-Lauren
Cuteeee! I haven't used jars for organizing, but love mason jars and will def use this idea in the future-thanks!
ReplyDeleteI wash and keep all our glass peanut butter, jam, salsa, etc., jars to store things or use as informal vases. The best part is, they're free! Spray paint the lids (if used) for a more cohesive look.
ReplyDeleteI'm using jars as part of my wedding centerpieces. I love this post and will use a ton of the ideas with any leftovers!
ReplyDeleteI've been collecting jars and had no clue what to use them for. Thanks for all of the ideas!
ReplyDeleteI love the vintage spools of thread in jars! I'm a big time jar lover - I'm especially fond of reusing my favorite salsa jars =)
ReplyDeleteI'm reusing pickle jars to store cupcake liners and chocolate chips. I also used one to store pens and pencils.
ReplyDeleteMy only issue is getting the labels off completely. Any tips?
Use Goo Gone for adhesive labels. It may take several applications, time, and some elbow grease but they almost always come off. Scrub anything printed directly on the glass with a Magic Eraser.
DeleteUse Johnson's baby oil. Soak the label in cold water. Pour oil on the label. Scratch off the label with your finger nails. Use cold water and soap to get off any remaining residue. If the jar feels greasy from the oil, run it through the dishwasher. In the first few steps, always use cold water. Hot water makes the label glue stickier. Good luck! Btw, I use this method for everything to get ride of labels. It works like a charm!
DeleteI am presently in the process of sorting out all the small hardware we have laying around the house and putting them into my canning jars: nuts, bolts, nails, screws, finishing nails, etc. etc. I have about 300 canning jars that were gifted to me throughout the years when I did a lot of canning and now I am wanting to use as many as I can and give the rest away to whomever comes to pick them up.
ReplyDeleteI love those jars Chelsea! I can't believe you found them for only $1 a piece ~ they're seriously PERFECT!
ReplyDeleteI'm using the glass jars my coffee comes in to store my laundry soap, my laundry soaker, our spare coins and all manner of other stuff. I'll be corralling my new collection of washi tape in them too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.moccona.com.au/media/7029/moccona_indulgence_265x340.png
The best thing to store in old jars is homemade jam and chutney! Only trouble is if you never buy jam then you have to ask your friends for their jars! I never throw a nice jar away. I use them for home made jams etc, spices, food stuffs such as rice, lentils, nuts etc, washing powder (in a big old sweet jar I found when I moved into my current house), cookie cutters (in another big old sweet jar), pens, birthday candles, nails and screws, crafty bits and pieces, things for my class such as dice (I am a languages teacher), cotton balls, sewing stuff, medical stuff - basically if I can reuse it I can. I have little jars of stuff everywhere. And my drinking glasses were old French mustard pots (they come in proper glasses so you can reuse them). I reuse plastic containers too for as much as I can. My little rule is to evaluate every single thing that I want to get rid of to see if I can use it for something else. And if I can't, can someone else? If you have lots of jam jars, put them on freecycle or the equivalent - someone would love them for their home made produce!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great ideas about reusing stuff.
What I would say is there is no need to buy jars at all.
Fantastic storage ideas here and lovely pics too!
ReplyDeleteThe best way to get labels off is to soak the jar in warm water and rub it off, then I find a quick cycle on the top rack of the dishwasher cleans it perfectly!!
Mason jars are so versatile! http://cuppow.com/ <<This website has jar adapters made of recycled materials that you can screw on. They can turn a jar into a travel mug, and they come in all kinds of pretty colors. Check 'em out!
ReplyDeleteThese are all great ideas.
ReplyDeleteThe spools of thread= Vintage décor.
I love glass jars! I just wish I could find some that look vintage, but have lift-off lids as the screw-off kind does a number on my arthritis.
ReplyDeleteI love storing stuff in glass jars of any kind. Especially food - I find it takes on a plastic-y smell when it's stored in plastic.
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas! I will take another look at my non-food items and see what I can store in a glass jar.
You always find a way to inspire me, Jen! And Chelsea!!
Annie XO
Silly question... but what is washi tape? I used vintage blue mason jars for my wedding centerpieces to put flowers in. I currently have an oversized mason jar full of dog treats. I am trying to find uses for all my leftover jars so thanks for some ideas!
ReplyDeleteI love all the storage ideas shown here. We also use recycled jars on the go for quick make and take meals, leftovers, cleaned and ready to eat fruits and veggies in the fridge.
ReplyDeletehttp://organasms.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-breakfast-jar.html
I have a thing with Mason jars too! My grandfather had a huge one in his old barn that was no telling how old. It was missing the lid. But I took it home anyway and cleaned it up. I use it in my class room as decorations with flowers all in it. It is so cute. Thanks for sharing you always have great ideas on organization.
ReplyDeleteJamie
I use my empty Barilla pasta sauce jars. I have mounds of them. I even use them in place of plastic storage containers. I have been doing this for years. I never thought to decorate or paint the lids and actually display the Barilla jars out in the open. Great suggestions. I had to laugh, at how Old I am these days, when you mentioned "vintage" wooden spools of thread. Wow, I did not think they were vintage. I am old. lol
ReplyDeleteI'm really excited to start using jars to store things when I move in a month. My wife tells me that we have to work out clothes storage before I can begin collecting jars.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, as I have no nice jars and my family don't tend to buy many jarred/nice jarred things it could be interesting.
I see you got yours from a thrift store. Any tips for where to find nice jars?