| It's amazing all the different things that | | | | |
| can be recycled and used in your crafts. You | | | | If you want, you can even glue the paper on |
| can use stamps, beautiful letters and old | | | | the bottom of the jar, letting it dry upside |
| wrapping paper for collages. Old newspapers | | | | down. |
| can be used for paper maché. Even broken | | | | |
| plates and tiles can be use for a mosaic. | | | | Don't worry if the glue is a milky color. |
| The possibilities are endless. | | | | It'll dry clear and act as a varnish over the |
| | | | paper. The glossiness of the glue will also |
| One easy and fun way to get started is by | | | | give the paper some feeling of depth. |
| recycling glass jars, canisters or bottles. | | | | |
| It's simple, but allows you to create | | | | Once you're done gluing, you'll need to let |
| something beautiful and useful for every day | | | | the jar site for at least 24 hours. If the |
| living. | | | | weather is wet, then you may need to let it |
| | | | sit for an extra day. It'll look dry very |
| In Paris, I use to salvage glass yogurt jars. | | | | soon, but it isn't. It needs to dry under |
| They were perfect containers for votive | | | | the paper too. |
| candles. These have been a bit harder for me | | | | |
| to find since moving to Los Angeles. | | | | Once your jar is dry, you can knot some |
| However, thrift stores can be a great place | | | | raphia around the neck of the jar. This will |
| to find little jars like these. | | | | give it a finished look. If you like the |
| | | | Bohemian style, you can thread your beads |
| To decorate your glass jar or container, all | | | | onto the raphia, and knot the raphia at the |
| you need is glue, like glossy Mod Podge, a | | | | ends to keep the beads in place. |
| cheap bristle brush (sold at Home Depot), a | | | | |
| little water to moisten the brush from time | | | | When you're all done, make sure you sign your |
| to time, and some type of paper. | | | | piece on the bottom. Use a Sharpie or some |
| | | | other permanent ink maker. |
| The paper can be tissue paper, Unryu (Indian | | | | |
| or Chinese) handmade paper, or printed paper | | | | Now you're ready for a votive candle (or |
| like you find at Michaels, Pearls or Blicks. | | | | whatever else you're putting in the jar or |
| You don't need to get the most expensive | | | | container). When you light it, just be |
| kind. The paper just needs to be slightly | | | | careful of the raphia. Of course, always |
| transparent, containing visible fibers if | | | | keep an eye on a burning candle. |
| possible, and of course, in colors that you | | | | |
| enjoy. | | | | As you can see, this is an easy way to |
| | | | decorate glass jars, canisters and bottles |
| Also, don't get glossy paper as it could be | | | | and do a little recycling at the same time. |
| difficult to glue. | | | | If you want some variations, you can also use |
| | | | dried flowers instead of the paper, or in |
| To finish your jar, you can also get some | | | | addition to the paper. |
| raphia. There are lots of different colors | | | | |
| available, so you shouldn't have any trouble | | | | Depending on the size and shape of your jar, |
| matching your paper. You can also use big | | | | you can use it for holding candies, keeping |
| holed beads of varying colors with the raphia | | | | your jewelry or (for bottles) as a carafes or |
| as an added touch. | | | | a vase for a single flower. |
| | | | |
| To start your project, cut your paper into | | | | There are millions of ways to use your glass |
| squares and glue them onto the jar until it's | | | | containers. And when you're tired of |
| completely covered. You'll need to put glue | | | | crafting, go shopping at the flea market to |
| under the paper, and on top of the paper. | | | | search for more supplies. After all, isn't |
| This will keep air bubbles from getting | | | | that half the fun? |
| trapped under the paper. | | | | |