Now, Mason jars are once again having a big moment. The rise in the popularity of Pinterest has spread the creative uses of Mason jars.
Learn about Mason Jars
Have you ever wondered why the jars are called Mason jars when many of them have the word "Ball" on the front? Well, me, too, so I did a bit of googling and here's your history lesson for today.
Although people had been preserving food in glass jars rather ineffectively for a long while, it was in 1858 when John Landis Mason patented his threaded zinc screw cap that created a tight seal on the jars. When his patent expired, other companies began producing their own version of canning jars with the major competitor being the Ball Corporation causing the name Ball to become synonymous with Mason jars. Other companies such as Kerr and Atlas, along with Ball, began mass producing the canning jars.
During World War II, there was an increased demand for Mason jars when the United States government urged citizens to grow their own food. After the war, tin cans and refrigerators replaced the widespread use of jars to preserve food.
It was during the late 1960s when a lot of people were returning to a more natural way of life (think hippies) that another resurgence occurred. That's about the same time I watched my grandmother canning in her kitchen, but calling her a "hippie" would be a far stretch!
As for me, I mostly use the jars to preserve food. As many of you know, we have a large garden. If we can't eat it all, the excess goes in jars. I probably have hundreds of jars, and in the summer, I fill a lot of them with this.
Homemade Canned Spaghetti Sauce
Here are more of my canning recipes. I typically can vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes in mason jars along with my iconic sweet cucumber relish that everyone adores.
Sweet Cucumber Relish
No bake blueberry cheesecake
I love to use the new green and blue mason jars in decorating. Here's an easy way to create a centerpiece for upcoming St. Patrick's Day celebrations.
Easy Spring Centerpiece using Green Ball Jars
I love mason jars and use them regularly for preserving food, crafts and decorating, and even growing plants indoors.
Click here to see everything I've done with Mason Jars over the years.
Connie
I hope that this isn't wrong to comment about a different post on your jar post. I love jars, but I just found your plans for building an obelisk and I am so excited. Thank you so much . . . I love these and I have seen them for sell for around $100 each, way above my retirement budget. I know that I said that I was excited, but that is an understatement . . . Thank you for your amazing and easy to follow plans.
Your blogging sister,
Connie 🙂
Mary
I love me some Ball jars Jane! Thanks for the round-up! Your No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake looks tempting for breakfast 🙂
debbiedoos
Jane I love the history of the mason jar! It is hard to believe just how old it is. The poor creator never saw a dime of his invention lol. Love all these fabulous ideas, in one place. We rock!:)
Nancy Reffle
Thank~you for the History Lesson and all the wonderful ideas!!
Treva
I almost ran out of battery on my tablet looking at all the ideas and I am not finished looking.
I loved this post today.
Thank you
Sandy
Great post. i love all the ways they are used and the history lesson.
Julie
So, there is a difference!!! I knew it!!
Dawn
Love the little history lesson Jane 🙂
Jenna
So much jar love Jane, thank you!
Stacey
Love it! I read somewhere that Mason jars are old news in decor and I absolutely do not agree. When we had a baby shower here a few weeks ago we talked about vases for the flowers but all agreed that jars are much more fun. The uses are endless and they add a little character. 🙂
Liz @ Infuse With Liz
Wow so many creative ideas for the use of these jars! My grandmother did her own canning and my mom had a collection of her old jars but I'm not sure where they are now. Dan's mom always did up a lot of jars of tomato sauce and pickles. I like the new green color- cute for things like flowers like you showed!