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    Home » General

    Over 100 Ideas for Using Mason Jars

    By: Jane · Updated: 24 Feb, '16 · This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    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.

    Over 100 ideas for using mason jars-all in one place!

    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 | cottage at the crossroads

    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

    Sweet cucumber relish | cottage at the crossroads
    Sweet cucumber relish in Mason Jars

    No bake blueberry cheesecake

    No bake blueberry cheesecake in a jar
    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

    Easy spring centerpiece made with green ball jars | cottage at the crossroads

    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.

    Over 100 ideas for using mason jars-all in one place!

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    1. Connie

      March 10, 2016 at 11:18 am

      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 🙂

      Reply
    2. Mary

      February 29, 2016 at 5:50 am

      I love me some Ball jars Jane! Thanks for the round-up! Your No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake looks tempting for breakfast 🙂

      Reply
    3. debbiedoos

      February 24, 2016 at 9:28 pm

      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!:)

      Reply
    4. Nancy Reffle

      February 24, 2016 at 4:25 pm

      Thank~you for the History Lesson and all the wonderful ideas!!

      Reply
    5. Treva

      February 23, 2016 at 6:45 pm

      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

      Reply
    6. Sandy

      February 23, 2016 at 10:27 am

      Great post. i love all the ways they are used and the history lesson.

      Reply
    7. Julie

      February 23, 2016 at 8:59 am

      So, there is a difference!!! I knew it!!

      Reply
    8. Dawn

      February 23, 2016 at 8:47 am

      Love the little history lesson Jane 🙂

      Reply
    9. Jenna

      February 23, 2016 at 8:43 am

      So much jar love Jane, thank you!

      Reply
    10. Stacey

      February 23, 2016 at 8:03 am

      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. 🙂

      Reply
    11. Liz @ Infuse With Liz

      February 23, 2016 at 7:04 am

      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!

      Reply

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    Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads

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