Okay, you enjoy doing crafts but you just cant think of anything new to make from all those baby food jars, right? Youve likely already created the snow globe-type holiday decorations, the baby food jar paperweight and the miniature beach scene. What else is left to make? Well, dont be in a hurry to toss out the little glass jars; there is still a craft that you probably havent yet made. Its cheap, easy, beautiful and unique. Its fun for kids or adults to create. Best of all you probably already have everything you need to make it.
Wondering what "it" is? Well, it doesnt exactly fit into the normal craft categories. That is, its not a wall hanging, its not a doll, it hasnt been knitted, crocheted or sewn. It can be made in so many different ways that it can be displayed in a childs room, a bathroom or even the kitchen. Spend money making it just perfect or use things from around the house to create it. What is it? Its a baby food jar tower - or its a Beanie Baby display pole - or its...well, lets move on with the craft.
Start by washing and drying several baby food jars and lids. Place a plastic or silk flower inside each one and screw on the lids. Each flower can be exactly alike or each jar can hold a different flower. Use epoxy - or any adhesive suitable for heavy glass - to glue the jars together. To make the stack of jars more secure its helpful to create a stand. There are many different ways to make a base, or stand, for the baby food jar stack. An instant coffee jar lid, peanut butter jar lid, or something similar, will work well. The lids can be covered in fake jewels, rolled in glitter, or further decorated. Gluing on buttons, decorative rocks or other heavy items will add weight to the base. If you have a lightweight covering to the base, like cloth, you can glue pebbles underneath the lid to add weight. Or, just tape a couple of metal washers under the lid. You dont need a whole lot of weight, but will need some, to make sure the jar tower is safe. After stuffing each jar simply glue on the lids. Turn the first jar upside-down onto the stand and glue it in place. Use the epoxy to stack the next jar, and the next. Five or six jars are suitable to create the final design. As you stack the jars arrange them to where all the flowers face the same way or to where each flower is turned in a different direction than the previous. There are any number of ways to finish the project. Tie a narrow satin ribbon around each jar lid or wait and add a much larger bow to the top of the entire stack. Use gold paint markers to color each lid and give the flower tower a look of gold horizontal stripes instead of wrapping ribbons around them. An old, glass percolator handle looks fabulous when glued on top of the stack. Or, paint a wooden knob gold and glue it in place. Even a tiny ornament can be used as the "handle" or "topper" for the stack. Instead of placing a flower in each jar, you can also fill each jar with childrens Beanie Babies, and set the pole in a childs room. Fill the jars with small soaps, rose petals, bath bombs, and similar items to create a baby food jar pole for the bathroom. Even though the lids are glued shut, and the products inside cannot be used, it looks fabulous in any bathroom. If you want to be able to access the insides of the jar, like if your childs stuffed animals are inside, you dont necessarily have to glue the lids on. Screw them on, wrap a ribbon around them, then stack. Later, the lids ribbon and lids can be removed and the animals retrieved. Fill the jars with things you just have lying around the house to create a unique look all its own. Fill one jar with buttons, one with sequin, one with glitter, etc. Make a kitchen creation by filling the jars with rice, beans, dry peas and similar goods. The finished towers make fabulous gifts for friends or terrific decor pieces for your own home.
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