Vintage Mason Jars {And unique ways to use them}

Hi sweet friends!

{I hope you are enjoying your week so far!}

I must apologize for being a little MIA of late~ we just returned this weekend from a road trip to Yellowstone and back. {More on this later.} Now I will be catching up on all of your gorgeous blogs!

Well now...

I have mason jars on the brain lately...Now that it's summer, I have taken them all out and displayed them in my kitchen and hall bathroom. For some reason, mason jars just say summer to me!

It's no secret that vintage canning jars have come a long way since our Grandma’s preserves. Now I love jam just as much as the next girl, but most all the jars that catch my eye have nothing to do with canning.

Love for these glass treasures is nothing new: from decorating magazines to flea markets to Blogland itself, these aqua beauties have held center stage for a long time.


My own love affair with them began several years ago, when my family stumbled upon the most lovely garage sale while on vacation. {Yes, much to my husband’s chagrin, we stop for garage sales, even on vacation…} There, to my absolute delight, was a box full of the aqua jars, some with their original metal caps, others without. Fifteen dollars for the box seemed a bit steep to me at the time, but I didn’t even negotiate. I knew those jars were precious, and every last one of them came home with me. I just had to find room for them in a minivan full of luggage and vacation gear. ;)




Vintage mason jars- no matter whether clear or aqua- are eye catching just as they are- even just one simple jar can make a statement.




But if you are inclined to create new uses for old items, you may want to take a look at these ideas:


Canning jars filled with antique silverware look lovely on this farmhouse table over at French Farmhouse 425:




I love the contrast of glass and tarnished silver.




{Side note: Would you believe Rachel’s husband made this farmhouse table for her from the recycled wood of an old fence? This table is swoon-worthy!}


And have you seen these?


{Senseless Sophistication}


I know, my jaw dropped to the floor when I first saw them, too.
;)

Emily from Senseless Sophistication created these amazing aqua jar pendant lights to replace the ones that hung in their kitchen. Isn’t that genius?

Tina from Rubies’ Place used a glass jar to make this whimsical hanging candle.


{Rubies’ Place}

The lavender adds such a sweet touch to the jar, and I love how she used twine to hang it up!


Now if you don’t have a place to hang one of these lovely jars, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a little sand and candle light! Whether in clear or aqua glass, candles shine brilliantly.


{The above jar with candle was inspired, of course, by Tina's hanging jar candle!}


No sand on hand? No worries. Just slip a votive into a jar and it’s also beautiful!


{Martha Stewart.com}


Vintage canning jars {or even new ones!} are also a nice change from the traditional vase, so the next time you bring home fresh flowers from the market, maybe reach for one of these instead.






{Me playing copycat again, with silverware in a mason jar.}

So whether you like your vintage canning jars sweet and simple or prefer repurposing them, they are sure to please!

A big thank you to Rachel, Emily, and Tina for the privilege of featuring them!

Thank you all so much for stopping by & I hope you have a beautiful day! :)

Blessings,

Jenni

{Sparrow}