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