Top Twelve Ways to Use Canning Jars Around the House This Summer
(Many could keep your kids busy!)
When I married and moved into our first home, my husband’s grandma, Viola, gifted me with her prized All-American pressure canner and dozens of beautiful canning jars. Her own days of gardening and preserving the harvest had passed, and she was delighted that I had an interest in learning these skills. I was just a beginner in the garden, and that year we planted about 40(!) tomato plants, in addition to many other garden favorites. I had no idea what I was doing, but I was doing it with gusto! I got quite an education that year in the art and science of canning!
Viola was an industrious woman. It seemed to me that she knew how to do everything. I loved hearing her talk about her pantry, the pickles and jams she made, and the garden they once had. Being newlywed and expecting our first baby, I wanted to be the kind of homemaker she was. The gifts from Viola kindled my interest in food preservation, and it also inspired a love for all kinds of glass jars. For around 50 years, Viola had kept and reused a set of mesmerizing, aqua-blue colored Mason jars purchased in the 1940s. By the time they came to me, some had chips to the rim or other slight imperfections that made them unsuitable for canning, but most were in perfect condition.
Almost three decades later, we still have Viola’s vintage jars and keep them on display in the kitchen. Since that time, I’ve collected many more jars, and found dozens of uses for them around my home. They’re one of my favorite, all-purpose organization hacks, and I use them in practically every room of the house. Simple in form, the glass canning jar blends with every decorating style, working equally well in homes with a classic, vintage, farmhouse, or mod vibe. But most importantly, they are useful in hundreds of ways in addition to canning.
When Azure came out with Azure Canning Company jars last year, I ordered four boxes. Did I need more jars? No. But I was captivated by their beautiful, old-fashioned, soda-glass green tint (have you seen them in person?!?!), and being an Azure-enthusiast, I just couldn’t wait to get some! I began using them for canning, and they quickly replaced other brands I had previously used for that task—the glass is thicker and more durable for high pressure canning—they feel a lot like Viola’s vintage jars. But they’ve also become my everyday drinking glasses. The pint jar is perfect for beverages, and with kids in the house, these are my go-to drinking glasses because they never break. I used them to make cookies-in-a jar for Christmas gifts. And I revamped the craft room, organizing pens, pencils, markers and more, then beads, buttons, and everything on my desk.
Canning jars are fun and useful for so much more than just canning. They’re an environmentally-conscious choice for storage—both in the kitchen and throughout the house. I’ve written before on why I think they’re ideal for pantry organization and storing leftovers. They’re great because they can always be repurposed in your home, saving you money on expensive storage and organizational systems. Because they’re a standard size, you never have to search to find replacement pieces. Expanding your collection when you need another few to match a set is simple. You don’t have to worry that they contain BPAs or other toxins. There’s no concern over warping or melting. They come in a variety of sizes, and depending on your preferences, you can purchase all sorts of decorative or use-specific lids to accentuate them.
So what do you do when you have jars with a chipped rim or other imperfection? Or if you’ve ordered Azure Canning Company jars to replace those lower quality ones you stockpiled during covid? Or, if you’re blessed like I was, with hand-me-downs from friends or relatives?
You craft and decorate, of course! That is, after you’ve finished canning everything in your garden that can possibly be stuffed into jars!!
With kids home during summer, and a few extra hours of sunlight, there’s time to do a few crafts, décor upgrades, or household organization projects. AND, by popular request, Azure has just launched three new sizes of Azure Canning Company jars, so you’ll have even more options for decking your home with the timeless beauty and practical uses of glass canning jars.
Here’s some inspiration for dozens of simple ways to repurpose extra canning jars (or reasons to buy more!)
Don’t forget our free Abundant Pantry labels! Download them here!
~1. Kids Bank Lemonade Stand Earnings Jar, Summer Bucket List, Compliment Jar, Bible Verse Jar. (All you need is ModPodge and paper to make this savings jar by Pillar Box Blue)
~2. Colored Pen/Marker Storage Desk Organization (A place for everything, and everything in its place! Rulers, Scissors, Pens, Pencils, Paint Brushes!)
~3. Critter Keepers & Crafts Your Kids Can Make a Mini Terrarium or a Firefly Catcher. What is summertime for kids without competing with your siblings to see who can catch the most fireflies? (Just make sure you oversee the release of the fireflies after observing them for a few minutes!)
(Pictured is a fun summer “aquarium” kid craft made with plastic bath toys inspired by Crafts by Amanda)
~4. Pond in a Jar
(Click here for a video your kids can watch to learn how to make their own pond ecosystem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFi_SX3qSPo)
~5. Treasure Collections Shells! Pebbles! Pine cones! Kid treasures! Got kids who like to collect natural specimens, but are overwhelmed by the pebbles in their pockets. Jars make a beautiful way to display all their treasures!
Maybe your kids prefer marbles, bouncy balls, figurines, counting bears, etc. Jars are the answer. For extra fun, glue a couple figurines to the top of the lid. However you do it, jars are a perfect way to attractively store your kids’ collections of marbles and miniatures.
~6. Canning Jar Bird Feeder
I found these feeders over at my local farm store, and they come in all kinds of fun patterns! My daughter and I had a lot of fun filling them and watching the songbirds flock to feed, and we also had quite a few squirrel visitors! (Tip: buy better bird seed than what is shown here. Black oil sunflower seeds are more popular with the wildlife.)
~7. Summer Snow (Glitter) Globe for Kids
(My daughter chose a Lego Friends theme for this simple glitter globe. We used a pudding cup to lift up the figurines, and clear Elmer’s glue to thicken the watery mixture. Tutorial at HeyLetsMakeStuff.com)
~8. Bathroom Counter Containers - Lotion, Soap, Shampoo, Cotton Balls, Makeup Removers, Q-tips, Toothbrushes, Epsom Salts, Bath Bomb Mix, and more
NF2107 - ReCap Flip Cap
NF2101 - ReCap Mason Jar Soap Dispenser and Pump
NF1809 - Maxim Hygiene Products Organic Cotton Balls
NF379 - Sky Organics Organic Cotton Swabs
HB1121 - Azure Market Epsom Salt
~9. Tableware Keeper (Festively Decorated) and Reusable Straw Caddy
HA194 - Norpro Stainless Drinking Straws
NF741 - World Centric Compostable Soup Spoons
NF737 - World Centric Compostable Forks
NF739 - World Centric Compostable Knives
NF1320 - Caboo Bamboo & Sugarcane Napkins
~10. Sewing Supplies
Thread, pins, needles, thimbles, and a measuring tape fit in this handy little sewing kit.
~11. Windowsill Herb Garden (or Sprouting Jars)
~12. Reusable Natural Soap and Lotion Dispensers (Make your own so you KNOW what’s in them! These are also great as Condiment Dispensers)
NF2101 - ReCap Mason Jar Soap Dispenser and Pump
NF1702 - Azure Clean Hand Soap, 128 oz
Here are MORE ideas for using glass canning jars around the house.
In the Garden:
~1. Humidity Controlled Seed Storage
~2. Butterfly Feeder from eHow.com
~3. Slug Catcher
~4. Glow Stick Lanterns
~5. Votive Lantern
~6. Citronella Candle or Essential Oil Bug Light (found on The Frugal Homemaker)
~7. Root a Plant
~8. Solar Lights Tutorial from Garden Therapy
Kitchen:
~1. Make Ahead Mixes and Spice Blends (from ranch dip to taco seasoning)
~2. Salt & Pepper Shakers
~3. Spice Cabinet, Herbal and Tea Blends
~4. Salads on the Run (with Cuppow BNTO Dividers NF2117)
~5. Safe, lead-free drinking container and smoothies-on-the-go
(with reCap Pour Carry Loop Lid NF2109) *this lid does not fit Azure Canning Co jars
~6. Food Prep for Busy Weeks (with reCap Flip Top)
~7. Make Your Own Salad Dressing or Mayo (with reCap )
~8. Chia Pudding, Overnight Oats, Yogurt, Homemade Ice Cream
~9. Leftovers
~10. Pantry Storage (airtight and pest proof!)
Around the House:
~1. Craft Room Organization (beads, buttons, and more)
~2. Sewing & Needlework Supplies
~3. Candles & Oil Lamps (make your own!)
~4. Gifts - there are hundreds of ideas for gifts in a jar. A couple possibilities include candy, soup, hot cocoa, homemade tea blends, cookies, scones, and so many more.
~5. Vases and Centerpieces – just add paint, twine, burlap, ribbon….no matter your style, you can apply it to the mason jar
~6. Faux Vintage Tinted Jars - Want to make your jars blue like Viola’s? Or pink or yellow or green? All you need is ModPodge and food coloring to make Say Yes’ rainbow tinted jars.
~7. Storage for Nails, Screws, Washers, and Other Small Hardware Accessories in the workshop. (Screw the lids of the jars to the underside of your cabinet shelves or to the rafters…just unscrew the jar from the lid.)
Glass canning jars are durable, safe, inexpensive, and incredibly versatile. Not to mention they are attractive—clear (or tinted!) glass and smooth, rounded glass has a timeless appeal.
So if you’re not canning this year, or you’ve collected a few more than you need, never fear, because there are dozens and dozens of excellent uses for extra jars.
Interested in more articles about canning? Read Azure’s four part series on the AzureLife blog: