Dear friends, My blog has moved!
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I hope to see you there!

~Jenni



Monday, July 18, 2011

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 inclin
ed 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}




14 comments:

GoldenValley50 said...

Oh Jenni - how I would LOVE to find even just one Mason jar here in my part of the world. I've searched and searched - but to no avail. Maybe the early pioneers here didn't do much canning? Your pictures are beautiful. ;)Sharyne

Patty Marker said...

I am on the hunt for a couple of the beautiful aqua jars. Thanks for sharing the beautiful inspiration photos and welcome home...you were missed. Patty

Amanda@RelovedRubbish said...

Wow, Jenni! You are so lucky to find all those jars and lids for $15! I see single jars for sale for more than that all the time. I love the ideas you shared too!

Isn't Yellowstone amazing?! I am sure you had a wonderful vacation!

xoxo
Amanda

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

thanks so much for featuring me in your wonderful post Jenni! :) hugs,Rachel

www.shabbyfrenchforme.blogspot.com

Burlap Luxe said...

Welcome home :)
Jenni I too love the look with the mason jars!! So many creative ideas.
keep inspiring the beauty you do so well.
Thank you for this post! Off to paint :)
xoxo
Dore

michelle said...

I am so glad that you are home safe and sound! I hope you had a wonderful time and no worries about getting back to me about your last post, I completely understand. I hope you had a great 4th of July as well. I love mason jars and all the ways that you showed here. We are hoping to use some of these ideas for my brothers wedding and reception, they are just so beautiful! I hope your summer is going great! I missed you!!
xoxo

About Southern Belle said...

What fabulous ideas! I do love those blue jars the best. The shade of blue is just so soothing. Great post!

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

A whole box of $15?? That's just about the deal of the century! Lucky!
Love the photos.

Tina said...

Thank you for featuring my little candle in your beautiful post, Jenni! WOW $15 for a box of Mason Jars....What a score!! I have not found any here in Australia, so enjoy those beauties:) Huge hugs to you for a lovely week ~ Tina xx

Robin Beck said...

Love this post, I've never seen Mason jars that color, now I will be on the lookout for them. Hoping you are enjoying this lovely cool weather while the rest of the nation is in a heatwave.
Take care!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE Mason jars. If the weather ever cools down enough to enjoy being outside this summer, I want to throw a backyard BBQ and use them to serve lemonade and iced tea! :-) Happy Summer!!!

Nan ~ Playful Decor said...

Hi Jenni, thank you for your inspiring comment as I continue to trudge along with our re-do! I love how everyone has such creative ideas for mason jars! I'm sooo far away from doing cute decor since we're still working on the bones of the house! ;) Have a great weekend!

Tiff said...

Jenny your gorgeous jars are too pretty to hide away! That aqua is just the right colour! I adore them on the window ledge with the light shining through... they make stunning lights too!
I have been feeling the strains of a busy life lately and struggling to keep motivated so your email cheered me and gave me a real boost! I am feeling better and a bit more energized! Thank you sweet friend! X

Amy Kinser said...

Oh girl, I love my blue ball jars. They are wonderful to use in so many ways.