Last Updated on December 26, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Are you wondering what to do with extra mason jars? Check out these creative craft ideas to use up your leftover glass canning jars.
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9 Easy Mason Jar Ideas
Years ago, we had a HUGE vegetable garden and I canned all of our vegetables, jams, relishes and pickles. Times changed and I had less time to devote to gardening and started to develop problems with my back and shoulder. That meant that I was left with a stockpile of Mason jars that weren’t being used.
While I gave some away on Freecycle, I still wanted some Mason jar ideas to use some of the jars I held onto. I do occasionally still make jam and pickles. I just don’t do it quite as often or in the quantity I did in the past. Here are some Mason jar ideas that I’ve done.
Jams and jellies
You can easily do small batch jams and jellies without spending hours and hours slaving away in the kitchen. I love my Banana Jam and my Strawberry Marmalade.
Make sauerkraut
You need a very large Mason jar to try this one but homemade sauerkraut is definitely worth it!
Mini planter
I wrapped a small Mason jar in jute twine to create a mini planter for a succulent.
Glass cloche
The word cloche is French for bell. You can use a Mason jar as the top portion of a cloche to create a still life art project. I created one with butterflies.
Sprout beans or seeds
I love making my own bean sprouts so I created an easy DIY bean sprouting jar from a Mason jar.
Glassware
We drink out of our Mason jars all the time. They work perfectly for things like my Rhubarb Iced Tea.
Make kefir
Kefir is a wonderfully delicious dairy based probiotic drink. You can make your own kefir in a Mason jar.
Storage
Of course you can use your Mason jars to store any number of things or to hold homemade cleaners like my DIY furniture polish.
Salt Scrub
Make a pampering salt scrub or sugar scrub and use the Mason jar to hold the DIY beauty product.
What do you do with all of your extra Mason jars? Here are some more things to do with Mason jars.
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
I would add a practical mason jar gift. This is a wonderful, home made gift idea for the Holiday season! Simply use a Holiday print fabric for the cover and cinnamon or pine scented potpourri.
That’s a great idea, Nick!
Make sauerkraut is an ideal way to use the jars.
I agree and it’s delicious!
I love mason jars, and i have to admit i do have quite a lot of them. They are so useful though. Going to have to try the bean sprouts with these though, have yet to try that.
It’s loads of fun to watch them grow!
What great ideas to use un-used mason jars. These would be great to drink tea and lemonade from during Summer.
It definitely would, Shelly!
These are all great ideas for making use of a mason jar. My favorite idea is the Glass cloche, I love the one you made with butterflies. Thank you for sharing these great ideas.
Thank you so much. Glad you liked it!
Great ideas! I have may Mason jars in my kitchen
I’m the same way!
I won two cases of these green mason jars and they are just sitting there, and i keep wondering what to do with them. I am going to drink out of some of them and make jam. Strawberries are in season and these jars would be great to use for my jam.
Those sound really pretty!
I have wrapped wire around the top, making a big loop in order to be able to hang. I put sea glass and a tea light in it. Voila!!
That’s a great idea, Alison!
Great ideas for these jars! I’d like to try to make a sugar scrub to store in it.
I love making sugar scrubs. Hope you have the chance to make one!
I used to have a ton of jars. The other day I needed one though, and I couldn’t find one. Good ideas to use them up when I get more again.
Time to pick up more, Aubrey!
Great list of ideas. I want to make saurkraut this summer. I have made kimchee in mason jars, but saurkraut is more intimidating.
I want to try kimchee this summer as soon as I have some fresh veggies.
I use them in the bathroom to store makeup pads, q=tips and etc. As well as decor for living room.
I need to work on some more decor projects soon.
These are all great ideas!! I store cupcake liners in my larger ones and use the others for seasonings we make with the Parmesan cheese container lids.
That’s a great idea too, Jenny!
I’ve actually done 6 of the 9! That’s pretty cool. I love Mason jar projects. We can and bottle our own food from our garden, so we always have jars! 🙂
That’s fantastic, Deborah!