From Junk to Jar Gift

It started innocently enough. I've been keeping glass jars out of my recycling for possible reuse. And with the holiday season approaching, I just knew I could use a couple for gifts. Hot cocoa kit? Cookie baking kit? Sewing kit? After wracking my brain, I decided I wanted to make some snowglobes.

This turned into a long lesson on how to (and how *not to*) make a DIY snowglobe.

First step, head to the thrift shops and find cute little toys or figurines to create the scene. I left Goodwill with an awesome white glossy rearing unicorn. Dubbed "Ulrich", the unicorn started at $5, but since it was discount day for blue tags, he was marked down to just $3. This adventure is starting out strong. 

This is the eventual majestic snowglobe:

Ulrich comes home with me, and the next step is choosing the right jar to put him in. I try the largest spaghetti sauce jar... then the largest pickle jar... and to my dismay, none of my many saved jars are big enough. I rack my brain... maybe a large Adams peanut butter jar. I would totally use more peanut butter, and could divvy it up into some of my smaller jars. So I measure Ulrich, and I'll need a minimum 3" jar opening, and 7" height. 

On to the grocery store with my measuring tape. I go from aisle to aisle, measuring the pickled artichoke hearts, and the bulk dill pickles, and finally getting on my knees in the grocery store to measure the Adams peanut butter. Nothing is larger than 6" tall! <sob>

Finally, I cave, head to Michael's, and purchase a giant, half-gallon Mason jar. Lesson 1: the knick-knacks for inside your snow globe need to be much smaller than you think!

Now that I've aquired my jar and unicorn, I can start assembling. Ulrich is adhered to the lid with some waterproof silicone sealant. Pro tips: 1) make sure your adhesive is waterproof, 2) apply in a well ventilated room (such as a bathroom with the fan on), and 3) make sure you know the curing time (this one takes 24 hours).

You can decorate the lid if you want to cover any branding or just to embellish for fun. Metallic or sparkly nail polish work great.

Once your scene is secure and cured, you can start adding liquid and "snow". To make your snow fall slower, you'll add some glycerin. Glycerin is a moisturizing, vegetable-based product that is used in soaps and lotions.

You'll only need a small amount, so save to use by itself as a moisturizer, or add to other DIY bath and body projects.

Next, figure out what you want your "snow" to be. Pay attention. I learned *all* the lessons. :-D

The first thing I tried was some rainbow mylar confetti that I had leftover from previous events. What glorious unicorn doesn't want to be surrounded by rainbow? Lesson 2: test your glitter for color-fastness. The mylar was not color-fast and quickly became a purple soupy mess.

I next tried some fine silver glitter. Lesson 3: Fine glitter combined with the water and glycerin will clump.

I finally landed on some course white and irrisdescent glitter. Next: to get the proportions of water, glycerin, and glitter right. One online source suggested 1 cup water to 1 tbsp glycerin and 1 tbsp glitter. This was substantially to slow-falling and too cloudy. I suggest you start with 1 cup: 1 tsp: 1 tsp. Close and shake your jar to test, then add more glitter if you want, and more glycerin if the snow is falling too fast. 

With a white unicorn and white glitter, we needed a pop of color. I painted on some rainbow stripes on the back side of the jar, and when dry, sealed with Mod Podge.

If you are concerned about the jar leaking, you can also glue the lid onto the jar, using a little of the same waterproof sealant from above on the threads.

The final result? Ulrich in a snowy magical wonderland.

Hopefully my lessons learned above will make your snowglobe journey much smoother! Looking for other ideas?

Safeway had these adorable candy jars available around Halloween. These could be created for any season by painting a seasonal character on and filling with your favorite candy. Or leave some of the jar unpainted and put in a small candle.

Alternatively, my brother received this yummy homemade granola as a gift. Minimal jar decorating needed, outside of a personalized label.

What are your favorite ways to reuse glass jars?

Festive for (Nearly) Free

We all know how expensive the holidays can get, between parties, feasts, and gifts. It's a great time to look at second hand to be able to have those fun winter looks you want, with a little less impact on your wallet. 

It may be way too late for Christmas, but not too late for New Years and the rest of the season. If you're like me, you may be thinking about getting something sparkly for toasting in the new year, or maybe something indulgent and cozy, if watching the ball drop from the couch is more your speed. 

I brought home this jacket (cape?) as a statement piece for when I want to feel more put-together. At just $28 on thredUP, it was over 80% savings off its retail price. Black and white, it can pair with many outfits, but the super-sized houndstooth print and wide wing-like sleeves make for a bold style.

For a daytime or casual look, I pair the jacket with a simple long-sleeve cream colored tee, black chunky necklace, jeans (from Buy Nothing!), and some low black boots (good for some grip in this wet dreary season). 

For a dressier look (good for the office, night out, or holiday party), I pair the jacket with a longer black sheath dress, tights, and black heeled booties with gold accents. These are my favorite booties that I keep repairing because they are comfortable, go from day to night, and with dresses or pants.

It's kindof fun watching houndstooth regain popularity in the 2020s since last being big in the 1990s. What looks are you wearing this winter?

Kill Two Birds with One Swedish Dishcloth

It's rare I go to the office these days, but I go in the other day to meet up with some folks. I step into the elevator and there's a poster advertising a holiday market. Yay! Now I have something fun to check out over lunch. :) 

I grab a couple co-workers and we check out the booths. Some have gorgeous handmade ceramics (my coworker B got a lovely mug to go with her new teapot). Some have lovely handmade soaps or candles. Another booth had reusable glass straws, and my coworker R got one of those...

I come across a booth that had a variety of awesome eco-friendly housewares, from washable bowl covers to adorable wool dryer balls that looked like owls. Scanning the booth, my eye lands on these items with a cute patterns labeled "Wishcloth". The booth attendee explains: "They're greeting cards. But also Swedish Dishcloths."

You may be familiar with other types of eco-friendly greeting cards, such as those made with seeded paper, so you can plant the card when you're done and it becomes wildflowers. But this concept was totally new to me and so unique. 

If you're not familiar with Swedish dishcloths, they are a super soft, spongy, durable cellulose towel, that can replace your sponges and paper towels. Per Brightly, "With just one of these, you get the same use you would out of 17 rolls of paper towels." And when you are done with them, because they are made of natural fibers, they can be composted. So not only is this card a card, but it's also a great little kitchen gift.

Look at the cute prints they come in, such as holiday llama: 

Or "You Make the World a Better Place" (awwww):

They are slightly bigger than other Swedish dishcloths, because they are folded, so you can write your message on the inside. 

At $7.99 each, these unique cards are about the average price I'm seeing for standard greeting cards these days, or you can get a substantial discount with a 3-pack or 6-pack. Brightly also sells many other products on their website, as well as offering getting started guides, tips and tricks, and other advice, so please browse around!