100 Clever Ways to Repurpose Mason Jars

Anjelika Temple

As Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Brit + Co, Anjelika Temple brings her voracious consumption of all things creative and colorful to DIY projects, geeky gadgetry finds and more. When she's not DIY-ing her heart out, you'll find her throwing dinner parties with friends or adventuring with her husband David, their daughters Anokhi and Indira, and their silly dog Turkey.

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Jul 18, 2013

If you’ve ever gotten lost on Pinterest or tried your hand at pretty much anything DIY, you’re probably besties with one iconic piece of glassware: The Mason Jar. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny both its utility and inherent cuteness. For this month’s mega roundup, we’ve scoured the web to bring you the 100 most clever ways to repurpose a mason jar, canning jar, ball jar, or jam jar. And we promise not to use the word “jarring” more than once ;)

DIY Oil Lamp

It’s surprisingly easy to create your own nostalgic oil lamp, and a blue mason jar makes a very picturesque base. (via Raised in Cotton)

Hanging Pendant Lights

These cool pendant lights are fairly simple to make and add a homespun charm to any space. (via Woon Blog)

Blue Glass Lamp

Of course, you can also replace any old lamp base with a jar. (via Melissa’s Greetings)

Garden Jar Chandelier

Come on, how could we exclude mini mason jars from this scene? (via Michelle Kaufman)

Monogram Marquee

What could be more Pinterest-worthy than a vintage style marquee made of mason jars?! (via Oleander + Palm)

Solar-Powered Lights

We aren’t entirely sure how these work, but we really like the patterned results. (via Used and Abused on Etsy)

Use Fishnet as a Spray Paint Stencil

Now that’s an unexpected place to find a pair of fishnets. The patterns totally remind us of undersea creatures. (via Brit + Co.)

Glass Jar Typography

What an easy and lovely way to personalize jars! (via Project Wedding)

Lucky Jar Revamp

How cute are these jars? Draw shamrocks and write messages with puffy paint, then spray paint green. (via Yesterday on Tuesday)

Porcelain Pen Designs

We love the quirky lines on this trio of jars. (via Aesthetic Outburst)

Distressed Shabby Chic

Technically these are for sale, but we think a few different layers of spray paint could accomplish similar results. (via BeachBlues on Etsy)

Metallic Vases

A little inside out painting? Don’t mind if we do! Create a silver tablescape with this simple DIY project. (via Brit + Co.)

Moroccan-Inspired Puff Paint

Another item for sale on Etsy, we bet you could create a similar look using metallic puff paint and a bit of precision. (via LITdecor on Etsy)

Glitter Dipped Vases

We are always up for a new way to use glitter. These make classy vases for any occasion. (via The Sweetest Occasion)

Chalkboard Labels

For welcome cocktails slash name cards, add a chalkboard label to any jar you find. (via Style Me Pretty + Emmaline Bride)

Silhouette Jars

Remember having a silhouette drawn when you were little? Bring that aesthetic back… but on a jar! (via Lauren Elise Crafted)

Lego Pencil Holder

Such a genius use of the jar shape – we love the idea of making a bunch of Lego heads with different expressions. (via Handmade Charlotte)

Textured Typography

This typography was created using foam letters as well as puff paint. We really like how the foam letters turned out! (via The Lettered Cottage)

Color Block Chalk Mason Jars

Yesss! This is like a DIY trend explosion. Its got color block, chalkboard paint, and mason jars. (via Girl Loves Glam)

Sea Glass Jars

Created using a crafty cocktail of Elmer’s Glue and food coloring, these have just a faint sea glass inspired hue. (via Barefoot Crafting)

Pastel Pencil Holders

Inspired by milk glass, these pretty pastels are the perfect place to keep all your pens and pencils. (via Kootut Murut)

Bathroom Storage

This clever storage solution is easy as pie. (via Liz Marie)

Yarn + Ribbon Dispenser

We definitely wonder if this would get annoying when you encounter knots or tangles. (via Home Made Simple)

Pantry Organization

Such an easy way to make that pantry of yours that much more organized. (via Hot Polka Dot)

Sewing Kit in a Jar

Everyone — even if they don’t know it — needs a sewing kit to fix up those loose buttons. But who wants to get a sewing kit as a present? Putting it into a cleverly designed jar definitely puts the “fun” in functional gift. (via Funky Time)

Key Hook

This is the perfect thing for your entryway. Hooks for your keys and a jar for those fresh flowers your sweetie brings you ;) (via Shanty 2 Chic)

Magnetic Spice Rack

As charming as all those mix and match spices are… maybe it’s time to get a little more organized. (via Just Call Me Miss DIY)

Pin Cushion

A close cousin to the full blown sewing kit, this is a great addition to any sewing scene. (via Hometalk)

Wall Caddy

This is probably more in the decor category, but we love the idea of making a whole bunch of these for organizing a craft room.(via Miss Paisley Pearl)

Hanging Kitchen Storage

Use a serious glue to attach mason jar caps to the underside of your cabinets, and you’ve got a great storage solution. (via HGTV)

Painted Jar Luminaries

Boo! These look more like emoticons than ghosts, and we like it. (via Crafts by Amanda)

Snow Globe in a Jar

A magical way to use mason jars. Nothing like gifting the beauty of the holidays. (via Julie Ann Art)

Advent Calendar

This is a great way to create an advent calendar you can use time and time again. Or, just make it once and fill with edible goodies. (via Studio DIY)

Gleeful Jam Jars

How cozy do these little darlings look? (via Dottie Angel)

Cupcake Gift Jar

Guess what a mason jar upside down is? The perfect cupcake holder! (via Lil Luna)

Treetop Jars

O Tanenbaum, o tanenbaum… :) (via Mark Kintzel)

4th of July Flag

Create a mini mural using a few painted mason jars. (via It All Started with Paint)

Mason Jar Backdrop

A whole bunch of hanging jars creates a beautifully rustic backdrop for your dessert table or even for a photo booth. (via Kara’s Party Ideas)

Glass Jar Frames

You’ve likely seen these floating around the web – they’re an unusual way to display photos and make us think of a funhouse mirror. (via Photojojo)

Beachy Terrarium

Back from a recent beach vacation? Collect all your keepsakes in a sweet little jar for your mantel. (via Mom 4 Real)

Wooden Wall Art

This beautiful piece is a lovely way to create a wall garden in your home. (via Yesterday’s Sweetheart)

Glowing Firefly Jar

If you enjoyed our LED balloons, you’ll definitely love these beautiful glowing firefly jars. A fun gift for both kids and adults! (via From Panka with Love)

Frosted Mason Jar Vase

Use any stencils you like and frost yourself… er, your jar. (via Today’s Creative Blog)

Grains + Beans as Fillers

This is an easy way to add color and texture to any centerpiece or table setting. (via Brit + Co.)

Mason Jar Cap Wreath

But what to do with all those mason jar caps? This tutorial will show you how to create a warm winter wreath. (via Brit + Co.)

Cozy Winter Cuffs

Yep, you can totally wear mason jar rings as bangles. (via Brit + Co.)

Canning Jar Ring Pumpkin

If you’ve got a bunch of canning rings (mason jar lid rims) laying around the craft room or kitchen, put them to good use with this fun DIY pumpkin. (via Simply Klassic)

Balloon-Dipped Jars

We love this hack on creating the “dipped” look. (via Brit + Co.)

Twisted Fabric Vase

For a little more texture, take scraps of fabric and twist them around your jar. (via Mr. Kate)

Twig Vase

Now this is genius. Who can even tell that there’s a mason jar hiding in there? (via Garden Mama)

Fabric-Wrapped Floral Arrangements

We love the shabby chic look of these scrunchy-like vases. (via Martha Stewart)

Twine-Wrapped Vases

For a more earthy vibe, try wrapping your jars in twine. (via Vickie Howell)

Crocheted Jars

Now that is some talented crochet work – we especially love the colors. (via Dottie Angel)

Bow Tie Jars

Created for a little boy’s birthday party, bow ties add a little bit of playfulness to your jars. (via Joyful Weddings and Events)

Sock Sleeves

We seriously love this hack – it’s a great use for all those Christmas socks. (via Mondo Cherry)

Wooly Wrapped Vases

For something both colorful and crafty, look no further than wooly yarn. (via Homes)

Watermelon Jar

Summer means… watermelons are always in style. (via AC Moore)

Lace-Covered Candle Holders

We created these little luminaries by covering mason jars with sleeves from an old sweater. Very cozy ;) (via Brit + Co.)

Hanging Jar Lanterns

Created for a wedding in the woods, all you need is a roll of hemp or twine to drum up a whole bunch of these rustic fixtures. (via Brit + Co.)

Fabric Trim Votives

So these have fabric on the inside of the jar? And apparently they are not flammable? We’re impressed. (via Fellow Fellow)

Jar-Shaped Candle

Not exactly a candler “holder,” this jar-shaped candle is going on our list of coolest candle shapes. And yes, that is a list. (via Huffington Post)

Survival Candles

Still worried about Y2K? Prepare yourself by making a whole bunch of homemade candles. These also make great candles for lighting at weddings… not just for the apocalypse. (via Teotwawki Blog)

Floating Candle Centerpiece

Mason jars, meet floating candles. We think you’ll get along swimmingly. (via Emmaline Bride)

Mason Jar Votive Lantern

Isn’t there something so retro about this lantern? (via Pigeon Toe Ceramics)

Rustic Hangers

Don’t you just want to wander through a field carrying one of these romantic lanterns? (via Wanelo)

Mason Shaker

This recently successful Kickstarter project definitely makes us want to try hacking one of our own. (via Kickstarter)

Etched Polka Dot Drinking Glass

Love the idea of glass etching? Stay tuned for a full tutorial on how it’s done later this week! (via A Beautiful Mess)

Sippy Cup

Um, can you ever be too grown up for a sippy cup? (via Rebekah Gough)

Welcome Cocktail Sippers

These sippy cup style dudes also make stellar welcome cocktails at weddings. (via Nicole Hill)

Pre-mixed Drinks

You can also mix a whole bunch of yummy cocktails beforehand! (via Yummy Wedding Food)

Picnic Pimm’s Cups

Speaking of which, have you tried our picnic Pimm’s Cups yet? (via Brit + Co.)

Mason Jar Pour Cap

Genius! Though $7 seems a little steep for something we think you could DIY. (via Amazon)

Mason Jar Goblets

Also known as the “redneck wine glass,” these are created by combining a candle holder with a mason jar. (via Amazon)

Blueberry Pancake in a Jar

Did you know you can cook pancakes in a jar? Amazing! So fun for a Sunday morning breakfast in bed. (via Boy & the Rabbit)

Birthday Cake in a Jar

Do you think the mason jar has a birthday? (via Babble)

Powdered Sugar Shaker

Genius! This would be particularly yummy for cinnamon sugar. (via The Burlap Bag)

Lemon Meringue Pie Cups

Okay these look insanely delicious. Love that the jars happen to be a little bit lemon-shaped. (via A Cup of Sugar… A Pinch of Salt)

S’mores Cake in a Jar

How can you go wrong with anything s’more? (via How Sweet Eats)

Rainbow Cupcakes

Color block cake push pops for the win! (via Just Easy Recipes)

Single-Serving Rice Krispie Treats

Yes. Yes. Yes. (via Prudent Baby)

Mini Apple Pie

SO cute! Shown as favors for a wedding, these mini apple pies make use of teeny tiny canning jars and would be great holiday gifts. Also great to make a batch if you’ve got a lot of parties to attend and want to give homemade hostess gifts. (via The Boastful Baker)

No-Bake Salted Caramel Cheesecake

Doesn’t the title tell you all you need to know? We can’t resist a no-bake sweet. (via Brit + Co.)

Jack and Coke Cake

Treat your favorite dude to a spiked sweet, complete with Jack Daniels frosting. (via Brit + Co.)

Mason Jar Salads

Of course, you can also go a healthier route and use a mason jar to bring lunch on the go. (via Food and Other Stuff)

Edible Flower Cakes in Mason Jars

It’s a flower arrangement in a jar that happens to be edible. I think my head just exploded. (via Instructables)

Nachos in a Jar

Love this idea for hors d’oeuvres. (via Oh So Very Pretty)

Herb Garden Shelf

Get some fresh herbs growing in your kitchen, no matter how little space you have. (via Food Family Finds)

Hanging Flower Shelf

This makes a few simple buds go a long way. (via Shelterness)

Succulent Favor

Grab a whole bunch of mini jars and create floral favors and name cards for your wedding guests. (via Style Me Pretty)

Wedding Aisle Planter

You’ve likely seen something like this on Pinterest or pretty much any wedding site, but it’s a classic we still love. (via Borrowed and Blue)

Mason Jar Succulent Garden

Terrariums are still the rage, and this mini succulent one is our jam. (via Home Depot)

Bright Painted Animal Toppers

And onto a whole of things that don’t really fit in categories. Starting with… party animals! (via Hot Polka Dot)

Storage for Matches

How clever is this? Sandpaper is the key for the top. (via The Burlap Bag)

Cupcake Jar Covers

Wait, how have we not seen this a million times before? Cupcake liners make adorable tutus for the top of a mason jar. (via Martha Stewart)

Soap Dispenser

Okay okay, this might be on the too cute end of the spectrum. (via Apartment Therapy)