Raise your hand if you’re in love with apothecary jars. I see that hand…I see that hand…
Not too many people are NOT fans of the apothecary jars. The price? Not quite a fan.
Here’s a way you can make your own apothecary jars for EL CHEAPO! Like $1 or $2 each! This was NOT my original idea. I tweaked it a little but I got this great idea for DIY Apothecary Jars from Little Fancy Affairs. Check out her fb page & you’ll see some adorable parties she’s thrown.
Here’s what you need to start out with –
Empty pasta jars, salsa jars, even a big pickle jar (like the kind from Costco) will be perfect to transform into your own apothecary jars!
You also need some knobs. The white ones I got from Habitat Restore for $0.50/each & the silver one I got from Home Depot for $1.
I wish I had pictures of my hunky husband drilling the holes into the lids but he did it so fast I didn’t even get a chance to snap a pic. He’s handy like that. :p
Drill a hole into the center of the lid then use an appropriate screw. A couple of them I had to use a washer to secure it.
Once you tightly secure the knobs to the top of the lid, now comes the fun part. Paint!
I used this sterling silver spray paint.
I got so excited that I forgot the primer but it actually still turned out okay.
You can see what the knobs look like secured to the lids here.
Here’s what they look like finished!
These would be great for a “Bake Shop” party or a bridal shower or any party where you want to offer an assortment of treats!
Sorry I’ve flipped it around on you a little this week! I’ll be back this Wednesday. I had a birthday last week & I can’t wait to share with you what we did for my birthday this past weekend!
From my penny-pinching heart,
Happy Valentines Day!
<3 Heidi
*Linking up to 36th Avenue*
OK…these are seriously adorable. We may have to do some kind of fun project when you're here!!!
OK…these are seriously adorable. We may have to do some kind of fun project when you're here!!!
Love these!! I would love to make some with pink lids to organzie my daughter's crafting supplies. Thanks for sharing!
Love these!! I would love to make some with pink lids to organzie my daughter's crafting supplies. Thanks for sharing!
I adore this idea – they are so CUTE!! : )
I adore this idea – they are so CUTE!! : )
I love this!! Such a great idea. I am planning a baby shower right now, and these would be so much fun!
I love this!! Such a great idea. I am planning a baby shower right now, and these would be so much fun!
SHUT! UP!!!!
lol…Thanks, I think?! ;p jk Thanks for stopping by Kristy! Here’s to us both processing through all the great info from Haven this week! :p
These are adorable. Thanks so much for the idea!
Thanks Jan! Appreciate you stopping by! Hope you hang out & party for awhile. ;p <3 Heidi Rew
These are so nice:) I save all glass jars so I will try this soon!
Thanks Lisette! My husband, now, always asks, “So, do you want to save these?” to everything. ;p Here’s to glass jar hoarding, Lisette! 🙂 Thanks so much for joining the party here. <3 Heidi Rew
I knew I was saving jars for something! Totally doing this 😀
Haha…I know. I always save everything. I always think, “there’s something I could this for, I’m sure!” ;p Thanks so much for stopping by Emily! Welcome to the Parties for Pennies party! <3 Heidi Rew
I’ve been saving my jars because I love this idea- but I’m having a hard time getting the smell out totally…what did you do?
Heather…thanks! I let them soak in dishsoap for a day and then I ran them through the dishwasher. That worked with the jars I had but I’ve also dealt with pickle jars and that can be tricky. For the extra-smelly jars, use a lemon, baking soda and water solution. Let that sit for a day or so…and the baking soda should kill the smell (as well as the lemon). Afterwards, wash them/run them through the dishwasher and that should work. It worked with a pickle jar I used for something else. Hope this helps! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day! <3 Heidi Rew
I made something similar but I also added a glass candlestick for the jar to sit on that I spray painted too. I used E6000 glue and it worked great. It gave the jars some varied heights and looked super cute too!
I bet that was adorable Kirstie!! I <3 E6000! ;p Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have an awesome day! <3 Heidi Rew
LOVE this idea! I will just have to get my sweet husband to put the knobs on for me haha!
Kim, You could also use E6000 instead of having to screw them in. It bonds really well and no tools required! <3 Heidi
This is one of the best things I have seen on Pinterest. I have had some glass jars that I didn’t want to throw out, but did because I didn’t have any idea what to do with them. Now I do!! Thanks
Thank you so much Madeline! I really appreciate it! You can just call me the glass jar hoarding enabler! ;p Hope you have fun creating your own apothecary jars! <3 Heidi Rew
This is such a smart idea!
I actually highlighted this DIY on our Best of Pinterest Blog post!
http://www.eastcoastwestcoaststyle.com/post/41719482214/east-coast-best-of-pinterest
K.
Oh my gosh…thank you Kathleen!! So appreciate it! Much penny-pinching-party-planning <3 Heidi
OMG! Just found your site through Pintrest, which I also just joined.. Wish I found you before February when I planned my daughters baby shower. You have such wonderful ideas and will be using some in planning my mothers 75th this summer. shhh its a surprise. Thanks so much for your for sharing your brilliantly crafty ideas!
Thank you, Penni! How fun (about your mom’s surprise party). She is going to love that! My lips are sealed. ;p You’ll have to take pictures & send them to me (or post to FB)! I love to brag on the P4P community. Parties are a lot of work…and it feels so good when all your effort & hard work is showcased! Thanks again, Penni! <3 Heidi Rew
SOOOO cute! I love this! I will definitely make some for myself.
Thanks Lisa! There are so many fun options you can do with these! <3 Heidi
Thanks- I love your idea- and will make some soon.
Thanks Bonnie! Hope you can join our fun group on facebook – http://www.facebook.com/partiesforpennies! <3 Heidi
These are the cutest things. I love them. And so easy to make. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much Regina! Really appreciate it! I love the name of your blog: At the Lake. Can’t wait to check it out. Hope you have a confetti-filled day! <3 Heidi
How did you deal with the inside of the lids with salsa and/or spaghetti sauce stains? I notice a red ring on the inside of the lid shown above. That’s my only hang-up right now.
Hey Beth! I didn’t seem to have that problem with mine (may just depend on the type of sauce/salsa) but what are you washing it with? These are my steps: 1) I try really, really hot water & mild dish soap…if that doesn’t work 2) I soak it overnight in hot water & dish detergent & then try again the next day (always trying to use the least amount of chemicals) if that doesn’t work…3) I spray “Goo be Gone” on it, let it sit for 5-10 minutes then try scrubbing…if that doesn’t work, I will usually just try another bottle or let it soak again. To get out the smell (and this may work for your issue), I will pour ice in the jar with lemon slices, sprinkle some salt in there & some baking soda & stir it around. If it has a really bad smell…I will let it sit for awhile…then wash it out. Hope this helps a little! Thanks for stopping by, Beth! <3 Heidi
I love how my jars turned out…EXCEPT…the smell of the spray paint and clear coat. The inside of the lids weren’t sprayed and the lids and jars have been airing out for several days. BUT, when I put the lids on the jars for even a few hours, the inside of the jars smells like the spray paint and clear coat. I had wanted to use them as Christmas gifts and fill them with seasoned nuts, but at this point I can’t see putting food in them. Any thoughts? Thanks
Valerie…I’m so sorry. The smell went out after I let it dry overnight. Have you tried setting them inside a closed box with an open box of baking soda? Try that & see if it makes an impact! <3 Heidi
Love the idea, I saved a lot of them even the big ones, I am using them for the bathroom, put in the cotton balls, q tips, etc. thank you!!!
Thanks Julieta! I bet they look awesome in your bathroom! Hope you have a confetti-filled day! <3 Heidi
I think it would be benefical to a novice to know what glass jars would be more decorative or look more like an apothecary jar. Names of products the jars once held. I think I’ll go look in my fridge now and see if there are any jar possibilities.
Hey Betty! I try not to specifically mention brands unless I’m working with them, but pasta jars are usually always great to use for this project. For smaller apothecary jars, salsa jars work well. Thanks so much, Betty! <3 Heidi
Would you ask your DH what size drill bit he used to drill the hole into the jar lid and did he drill it from the lid top or from the inside of the lid? What size of screw one used would also determine the thickness of the lid I think, because you need to allow for thickness of washer. Does this makes sense?
Hey Betty! It will depend on what type of knobs you use, but more than likely, you’ll need to use a 3/16″ drill bit. As far as the direction to drill, I’d do it from the top but the hole should be covered up by the knob so it shouldn’t matter as much. Hope this helps! <3 Heidi
I had a large apothecary jar, that just sat atop a cabinet empty!! Thank you sooooooo much for the inspiration <3
Yay! So glad Tina! <3 Heidi
Love the idea as I have $34 worth of jars in my cart on Amazon and am thinking, there has to be a way to do this myself…
I am wondering how the lids stay on though. Do you screw them back on, or do they just sit atop the jar without falling off? I don’t want to have to screw them on and off every time, since I would like to use them for the bathroom and have easy access to it. Would you use a size bigger, so the threads on the jar just sit under the lid? Thanks in advance!
Hey Janis! So glad this tutorial is helpful. I always just screwed my lids back on, but during parties where I’ve had them holding sweet treats for guests, I just loosely set them back on the jar without screwing them on. I, honestly, hadn’t thought about using a lid a size bigger. That’s a great idea. Try it & let me know what you think. Thanks again, Janis! <3 Heidi
Wow, these are really great looking. I love it! I am just starting a new Vintage bathroom. Now I have to find out to put the words on like cottom, etc.
I thank you for your awesome help.
Oh these would look great in a vintage bathroom Deborah! You’re so welcome! Have a confetti-filled day! <3 Heidi