Cover Old Glass Jars With Twine And Charms To Turn Them Into The Sweetest Storage

Keeping an empty glass jar always feels like a good idea. Surely that cute little yogurt pot or pasta-sauce jar will come in handy someday, right? Then someday never arrives, and you've got an entire shelf of mismatched containers taking up room in your cabinets. But we're here to tell you you can save your empty glass jars without sacrificing pantry space with nothing more than inexpensive twine and a few decorative charms. 

Twine can be used to create texture and a rustic vibe, while accents, like seashells or beads, will add the perfect finishing touch. You could also choose faux flowers and lace bows for something more cottage-inspired. This is your chance to hit the craft store and get creative, and a great way to turn an unused jar into decorative yet functional storage that reflects your personality.  

The jars could have plenty of purposes after their makeover. Depending on their size, they can hold pens on your desk or makeup brushes on a vanity. Little jars would be great in the bathroom for hair clips, while taller ones can be used in the craft room for paintbrushes. You could also use lidded jars in the kitchen to store ingredients, as long as the decor materials don't make their way inside for food safety. As far as materials, the basics include clean, dry glass jars, a decoupage like Mod Podge, adhesive, twine, a brush, scissors, and any decorative items of your choosing.

Before you reuse an old glass jar, remove its label and any sticky residue, then wash it thoroughly. If you have pesky glue that isn't budging, a product like Goo Gone can help with that. For twine, brush a small section of the exterior with your decoupage medium and press the end of the twine into the jar, keeping it above the base so the container sits flat. Wind it around the jar in snug rows, adding adhesive in sections as you work. At the end, trim the twine, tucking the end neatly against the previous row with a little adhesive. For additional texture, you can cover the twine with more decoupage. Add some food coloring to the decoupage if you want to give it a colorful hue.

Now you can decorate with seashells, small charms, or beads, gluing or tying them to the twine. For a craft room organization idea that doubles as decor, group the jars on a shelf and give each one a job holding buttons or beads, each decorated with whatever it's holding. If you'd like your storage to have a cover, you can decorate the lid to match.

Of course, twine and charms aren't the only way to add personality to your jar. You can add texture with a cement-like finish made from baking soda and acrylic paint. Using decoupage to add more intricate designs from paper napkins onto the glass is another option. If you're into gem-maxxing, skip the wrapping and paint and arrange gems directly onto the glass. With all of these options, you can easily make sure those jars stop being cupboard clutter and become something you love to look at.