Jar crafts

Around the holidays, everyone likes to put up all those recipe-in-a-jar things, but honestly, they are getting old. There are so many other cute and creative things you can do with jars that will last longer than those cookies! Here are just a few ideas.

A. Make a terrarium in a jar. I found some instructions, and this picture at the HGTV site. However, their instructions seem overly complicated to me. (Be warned, I am terrible with plants and growing things, but I do love them.)

So I did this my own way.

You will need:

• A jar
• pebbles or gravel
• potting soil
• a plant (I suggest a small succulent or cactus, or if you are as bad as I am, a nice fake silk plant.)
• decorations (twigs, moss, colored glass gems or marbles...whatever tickles your fancy!)

1. Wash your jar and dry it. Add a thin layer of gravel or small rocks to the bottom.

2. Add some potting soil.

3. Use chopsticks or a spoon to make an indent for your plant.

4. Put plant in the indent and scootch dirt around so roots are covered. Add more dirt with spoon if needed.

5. Decorate. Put in some pretty glass gems, some twigs, even a layer of moss or small glass animals and fake flowers. Anything you want to make it pretty and fun.

6. Water. When you water, use a very small amount, as there is little drainage.

7. Put someplace partly sunny and enjoy.


B. Make a keepsake jar.

Instead of buying dull picture frames, make a keepsake or memory jar of a special event or outing.

I first saw the idea here, at Women's World

You don't need much - just a jar and your bits and pieces! You may want a magic marker or paper label to write down the date and place the items are from.

1. Gather your treasures
2. Label your jar
3. Fill your jar with your treasures.

A few helpful tips:

• If you want to put small pictures in, use sand or small stones to hold your photo upright.
• Using long tweezers or chopsticks to get things right where you want helps immensly!
• If you are concerned about your treasures getting knocked out of place, dab a bit of quick-drying glue on the bottom as you place them, or even a small piece of double-sided tape.

You can make these as great wedding or shower mementos, use them for baby keepsakes, give them as gifts handcrafted about a special memory or place that you and a loved one share, etc, etc. The possibilities are endless, and they make great conversation pieces! Great projects for a scout troop or club! Fantastic for book reports - use items that are important for the plot or characters in the book and impress your teachers! Overall, have fun with them :)

C. Savings Jar

I just love putting change into a jar until it is finally full and I can find out all the money I didn't know I had.

Cute savings jars are simple to make.

You will need:

• A jar
• glue or tape
• decorations (I like to print out pictures and clip art)

1. Decorate your jar. Going on a trip? Put a picture of the place. Saving for a fun new toy? Tape an ad for it on there. Want party fun money? Decorate with glitter and streamers. Have fun!
2. If you are feeling mean, or need the extra motivation, glue a lid with a slit cut in it onto your jar. Metal canning jar lids make this tough, but coffee cans with plastic tops work great!

A few silly ideas to give these as gifts (with a small starter fund if you're feeling generous):
-boob-job jar for a close gal pal (with a sense of humor)
-retirement fund jar for parents/older friends and loved ones
-pirate booty jar for a younger child
-babysitter money for new parents
-iCoin for the tech and gadget guy in your life
-car money for a sweet sixteen
-beer money for the recent grad
-honeymoon fund for a bridal or jack and jill party

So save your jars and up-cycle them into something way more fun!