Recycled Plastic Jars Make Pretty Storage Solutions

I am always trying to come up with new ways of storing all my bits and pieces in my sewing area. Here is a great way to recycle plastic (or glass) mayonnaise and peanut butter jars to give you that extra storage in a very pretty way.

Aren't they pretty? Here's what I did.

First off the lids were an ugly red. So, unless red goes with your decor, paint them! Now, being plastic, there is of course a specific paint to use to make it stick. I put on a good 3 coats of spray-on Kilz brand pigmented paint. This stuff sticks to ANYTHING!  If you want them white, no need to paint any more. If you want them another color, one or two coats of regular spray paint, after the Kilz drys, will do it.

Then I wanted to pretty them up a bit so I used my water slide decal roses I had on hand. They are also available from The Decal Cottage on Etsy. Or here is a tutorial on how to make your own and a source to buy the necessary materials.

After adding the decals I sprayed them with a couple coats of Krylon Clear Coat.

Lids done....check!

Now for the jars.... I made up a label graphic that I am making available for download here. Just click the link, right click the graphic that pops up and then click "save image as" and save it to your hard drive.

Here is what the graphic looks like:

You can either print it as is and write your title on it by hand, or add text with your graphic program before printing. Then, just print them out on a sticky 8 - 1/2 x 11 label sheet (available at any office supply store). After printing, just cut them out and stick on the front of your jar. This label is sized to print out to perfectly fit a quart size mayo jar. After adding the label, I tied an pretty ribbon around the top, just under the lid area.

Jar done....check!

Then just fill 'em up with trims, buttons, laces, ribbons, beads, whatever you need to store! So pretty!!!

Don't feel like messing with the lids? Use the jars with the label and ribbon as a pretty flower vase!

That's all there is to it....... and a great way to keep those jars out of the trash! 

This tutorial is featured in the following linky parties:

Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest