From The Frontline Thursday with Gabrielle Morel: Reusing Glass Jars for Crafts

Ever since I made cakes in a jar I have been anxiously searching the internet for ways to use the remaining mason jars in my kitchen. I came across so many beautiful craft ideas but in almost all of the crafts I saw the jars were smooth without any lettering on the glass. (I have Ball mason jars). I searched the internet for websites where you could buy smooth mason jars but every site I found the prices were too much for crafts…but I have good news (and a little bit of bad news)! Bad news first…I still haven’t been able to find any websites with smooth mason jars for cheap; if you know of any good websites shoot me an email please! :)(frontline@mamiofmultiples.com)

Good news is that I found out that spaghetti and jelly jars work just as well for crafts. (This is where you all say, DUH! How could you not know that?! )

I suspected that food jars would work but what threw me off was the fact that the labels always left that impossible to remove label glue! Well, I have a solution for that annoying glue…its vegetable oil and/or degreasing spray!

I soak the jars in steaming hot water, then wearing dish washing gloves, I remove the labels. Once the label is off the jar I put a quarter size amount of vegetable oil on a sponge (a rag might work just as well) and I scrub! Before you know it, the glue is completely off the jar and you have a beautiful glass jar. I did come across a jar yesterday where the glue wouldn’t come off with vegetable oil and I used some of LA’s Totally Awesome Cleaning Spray.  I found it at Dollar Tree but I’m sure you could find it at any 99 cent store. I wouldn’t suggest this spray if you plan on reusing the jar for food storing but for crafts it’s okay.

Now you can store little knick knacks in your jars or use them to create homemade decorations like this picture below.

Aren’t these guys adorable?! Are you crafty?  What are some of your favorite crafts to do on your own or with your family?