When I first starting going to thrift stores and garage sales people were practically giving away mason jars because they had accumulated so many over time. I never even looked twice at them because A) I don't make home-made jam and B) they were usually rusty and dusty. To be honest with you, I used to view them as, well...junk.
One day I was looking for something in Matt's parents' pool house and came across a shelf of pristine mason jars. They were starring back at me and saying "Take us home and make us into something beautiful." They didn't
really say that, but they might as well have since the next thing I know I'm asking Matt's dad if I can "borrow" one. He told me just to keep it since they had so many and a grand love affair began. For whatever reason, I had a change of heart and since then, I've starting collecting these glass cuties from anyone who is willing to give them to me or wherever is willing to sell them to me. I only have a handful so far, because as it turns out, the day I decided that I actually like these jars was the day they ceased to exist. I no longer come across any at garage sales and even thrift stores seem to have given up on them. If and when I do find one, it's like winning the mason jar lottery.
If you're wondering what on Earth I'm planning to do with these jam jars, I think you'll approve of my ultimate goal: to create a show-stopping dining table centerpiece comprised of a collection of mason jars all varying in height, width and styles. I was inspired by these simple yet gorgeous wedding centerpieces and think that they would translate well into an interior space. And by interior space I mean my dining room.
There is something so country (the good kind of country) about these centerpieces. The way they light up the environment is romantic, nostalgic and calm. Not to mention, it is so easy to put this together for your next dinner party or movie night. This doesn't just have to wait until your wedding, the beauty of mason jar centerpieces is that they are versatile and not too fussy. They are appropriate for almost any occasion and set just the right mood during any time of the year.
For now, I have just a few displayed on my coffee table (pictured below) and there is nothing prettier and more relaxing than sitting down to write or watch a movie by mason jar candlelight. Obviously my collection doesn't look anything like the lineup in the photos yet, but I promise you, I'll get there. I envision about 20 jars, staggered and arranged down the middle of my rustic dining table, lighting up the table, food and the faces of our friends.
EARLY EVENING
LATE NIGHT
If you think that I don't have standards for my jars, worry not. I specifically look for ones with no cracks, knicks, or label residue and they must have some sort of personality, as you can see in this one. It says
Atlas Mason, and I love that I have no idea what brand that is or where it came from. The more mystery and character the better.
I've guess you could say that at this point I've become a scavenger, and my never-ending hunt for these jars has become desperate because I would love to have this arrangement finished before the summer ends. I'm simply not satisfied with the teeny-tiny display that I have going on my coffee table right now.
I know that you can buy mason jars at Target or on Amazon, which I consider the easy way out and to me, there is no thrill in doing that. By doing so I would be depriving myself of the rewarding feeling I get when I finally score one.
This smaller one has a fruit design representative of the jam it once contained. Alongside my jar arrangement I also add some glass candle holders that I pick up at estate sales and thrift stores. This gives my small collection some much needed height and adds visual interest. I will be collecting mason jars all throughout the summer so keep your fingers crossed that someone ends up begging me to take them off their hands at a random garage sale...I'll be more than happy to do so.
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