We’ve had a lot of container-related questions the last couple of weeks! The latest comes to us via our Facebook fan page from reader Holli R. She’s got a collection of yet another kind of container: spice jars! She writes:
I recently revamped my spices and got containers for them all. Any suggestions on what to do with the empty McCormick containers? Most of them are an inch tall, but there are four or so 4-inch ones.
The little spice containers are so cute — and a good size for holding glitter. And they’ve got a uniquely handy feature that other containers don’t: a shaker top! What do you think? How do you reuse your old spice containers?
[photo by cohdra @ morguefile.com]
22 Comments
lena
i re-purposed my space rack for small craft items. here is a pic http://joyfilledfamily.blogspot.com/2010/04/crafting-for-free.html
Kellie
I like to use the small flowers that I buy at the local Dollar Tree as embellishments for my cards and scrapbook pages. So when I see colors I want, I take the heads of the flowers off and store them by color in the jars for quick and easy access. I also use the small ones for my brads.
Kendra
its not terribly exciting but I’m going to use my old spice jar set to collect up all the loose crafty things like buttons, beads etc.
Star
I just make spice blends with my empty spice jars. I have had the girls make sand bottles also. You know add food coloring to sand and let them add the sand one color at a time to make a cool bottle
Shannon
You can use them to store bobbins in, also you can use them to carry a small amount of baby powder in your purse. Make spice blends and give them out as small gifts or stocking stuffers. Use them for small containers of bubbles and make homemade wands. This would be a cool thing to do for Valentine’s day. Here is a tutorial:
http://christyrobbins.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-day-bubbles-with-homemade.html
Toothpick containers. Small button or bead containers. Sand art. Vases for single flowers.
kath
I use mine to store saved seeds in. When I’m ready to plant I can just shake them out into the soil.
I do like alot of Shannon’s ideas too!
Elizabeth P
they’d be good for small amounts of beads and glue-on bling – buttons sorted by color – or pennies from Heaven – those pennies you find in the street ?
I have a bunch of those horrible amber plastic pill bottles, with ugly lids – would love to know what to do with them.
Sarah Jordan
oooooh, I like the idea to use them for glitter :)
Tiffany Watson
Use them to make a chef-inspired chest set!
Marr Williams
Beads. My daughter loves beads and these are great for separating by color size shape etc.
I love the idea posted above for using store seeds in for planting. Brilliant!
Lisa Fitch
I use mine for colored sugar and other sprinkles for cookies and cake. Yum! And thrifty!
Sherry
I put talcum powder in one for use as a mold release with polymer clay. You could also use them for mica powders (Pearl-ex)and other powdery craft materials… Powdered sugar to sprinkle on gingerbread or cakes over lace doilies… loose powder makeup… home-mixed cinnamon sugar… coca powder for sprinkling onto cookies…
With all the ideas you get, I do suggest labeling anything that is not really obvious!!!
CaRoLiNe
They could make great mini terrarium’s.
Layer sprinkles of charcol, pea gravel and soil. Add a seed and watch it grow or a tiny plant. Give it a little spritz of distilled watter and keep it in a sunny (but not directly sunny) area.
Nancy Bupp
I used mine out in the garage to store small nails, brads, tack, etc. I relabeled the top and I can see the size I need easily.
holly
My dear husband is not the most organized creature. Currently all his tool odds and ends are thrown in a huge metal box. The other day he turned the whole 80 pounds of metal parts onto the concrete basement floor to look for something. That’s when i knew he needed professional help, LOL.
I’m saving my old spice jars. My plan is to make a wooden shelf and put a magnetic strip on the bottom – a strong magnet, the kind you use for kitchen knives. Most of my spice jars have metal lids but alternatively you could also get sticky magnetic sheets and cut them to size and adhere them to the lids, so long as they’re strong enough to hold up a full jar. I might also put blackboard painted labels on the jars – i haven’t decided. Anyway, the shelf idea will give easily visible storage below (the jars) and also storage on the shelf. Crafters could just as easily do this with their supplies, and hang the shelf over their working table. Handy, eh?
partycraftsecrets
I made them into a party craft called “stars in jars” where the kids and I experimented by turning them into mini snow-domes and the like;
http://partycraftsecrets.blogspot.com/2012/01/stars-in-jars.html
amy peca
I used mine this year as the perfect container to give reindeer food in! They look so cute all packaged up!
its-gamayun
@Elizabeth P – I use my empty pill bottles for my spices! The childproof cap is airtight and the amber color prevents light degradation. (But I still keep them in the cabinet anyway.)
I’ve also used them for storing glitter, rhinestones, sequins – anything that can spill or skitter away – again, childproof cap. I glue an extra one or two of whatever’s in the pill bottle to the cap so I know what’s in there and so I don’t have to keep looking at the CVS website address…
And finally, for loose trims and cords, they make good cores to wind them up on to keep them from getting tangled.
Linda
I have also used these little jars for glitter and beads and stuff.
Ada
How about sealing a tablespoon of rice inside and using it in a play kitchen? Realistic sounds and authentic packaging.
Carrie
I love the idea of using it to store beads and findings! Can never have too much storage for all of those little bits and pieces :)
OffTheCuffCooking
I have a rotating spice rack, so I rarely buy loose bottles of spices. However, if you already have a large assortment of identical sized spice containers that have been washed out and needing some use, I would suggest buying your spices in bulk and simply refilling the jars. You would be AMAZED about how much money you can save that way. For instance, a standard size jar of oregano is usually $3-4 from one of the Spice Islands / McCormick type of vendors. However, if you go over to the bulk section in many grocery stores, you can buy loose spices in any quantity for pennies on the dollar. You could refill that same jar for maybe $0.50-$1.00.
You can get all the standard spices in bulk: paprika, oregano, ground ginger, celery seed, cumin, cardemom, etc… Plus, the bulk spices are usually fresher, because they get refilled often, so you know you’re getting a good deal. Another good place to get less pricey spices is in the ethnic-food aisles. The Mexican aisle usually has bags of ground peppers / chili powders, oregano, cinnamon etc., and then you can also peruse the Asian food aisles for other specialty spices in bags at much more affordable rates. So put those spice jars back into use, and save some dough!