Get Jarred

Rather easy ways to craft your wedding up a storm…

You can’t beat an auld jar to get you out of a scrape. I always keep a stock in the house as quick-fix flower vessels and tealight holders – the opportunities are just so darned many. So much so that US super-crafter Lauren Elise Donaldson has dedicated a whole book, Mason Jar Crafts (Ulysses Press, out now), to their glassy adaptability, some of which she has been good enough to share with us BASHers. Now, if I know you lot (and I think I do), I’d bet you often look at our nifty DIY features and convince yourself you’re going to give this one a try? then, never do. Well, the following three ideas are so super pimpsy you could tackle them with one eye on your jar and the other on Nurse Jackie. Do it!

We like to be extra scabby and save up old food jars, rather than buying fancy new ones, but if that’s too much effort, allpack.ie have a great selection (also, pretty cheap).

You’ll need:

Half-pint sized jars

Scissors & glue

Twine

Succulents

Wooden skewers

Scrap linen fabric

1 Remove the metal band and lid from the Mason jar.

2 Place a thin line of glue along the bottom edge; then press the twine down into the glue, applying pressure while it dries. Repeat to cover the entire jar, doing a little section at a time; cut twine at end. Make one for each guest.

3 Plant a succulent in each jar; then make your flags – knot a scrap of frayed linen onto the end of a six-inch wooden skewer, securing with a dab of glue. Pop a flag into the soil of each pot.

Extra tip

These babies are multi-functional, too – think table centerpieces, place name holders or aisle decorations.

You’ll need:

A printer & paper

Scissors

Double-sided tape

Pint-size Mason jars

Glass paint marker, white

Cookie sheet

Oven

Striped paper straws

1 Choose and download your font, then graphically lay out guest’s names (Photoshop is best, but you could also use Word). For pint jars, size font appropriately (names should not exceed more than 2.5 inches in width), so that they are easy to read on the curved surface.

2 Print out guest’s names and cut into individual labels. Apply double-sided tape to the front of each. Slip one into each Mason jar, position and press down firmly.

3 Use the glass marker to trace over each name. Remove paper and allow jars to fully dry for four hours to guarantee that the paint permanently seals itself to the glass.

4 After four hours of dry time, arrange the jars on a baking sheet and place in a cold oven. Set oven to 375?F (180?C). Once hot, bake the jars for 40 minutes. Turn off the oven, open door and allow jars to cool while still inside.

Extra tip

If you happen to have awesome hand-writing, skip steps 1-3 and simply freehand a name on each jar.

You’ll need

Vintage plates and tins

Jars of various sizes

Super glue

Newspaper

1. Wipe down plates with a damp cloth and allow to dry. Then protect your work surface with newspaper. Determine your jar-plate pairings; vary to create an eclectic mix.

2. Apply super glue sparingly to the mouth of the upright jar, following the directions provided by your specific brand of glue. Note that glue will seal better to flat surfaces and also consider stability as you initially position the plates on top of the jars.

3. Position the plate over the jar and then set it down on top. Allow the surfaces to fuse, as per glue instructions. Given the proper amount of drying time, cake stands should be strong, durable, and washable.

Extra tip

The example shown offers a mismatched, vintage aesthetic, but you could opt for a more graphic look, by using a bright plate and spray-painting your jar in a contrasting shade, prior to gluing. Note: do not spray-paint your plate, as that would be gross.

Crafting: Lauren Elise Donaldson

Words: Kate O’Dowd @kateodowd