Crafting with Mason Jars and other Glass Containers: Over 35 simple and beautiful upcycling projects

Upcycle your glass jars and other vessels into useful and lovely objects.

Upcycle your glass jars and other vessels into useful and lovely objects.

Follow Hester van Overbeek’s easy steps to make a fresh flower-decorated tea-light votive for a garden party, store all your grains and pasta in large jars with vibrantly painted lids, or why not surprise a friend with the colorful "birthday in a jar"? There are lots of quick ideas that take no time at all, such as vacation memories in a jar, the table-setting jars, or the floral centerpiece that will charm all your guests. Some are elegant, some are homespun, but all make use of natural materials such as wood, shells, flowers, and leather—to give an original but sophisticated feel to your home and garden. Once you are confident in making the simpler crafts, there are more intricate projects to try, using basic DIY techniques: make a fabulous drink dispenser, a desk lamp, or a rustic vase display by attaching jars to a weathered piece of wood. All the projects have clear step-by-step instructions and hand-drawn illustrations to guide you, so all you need to do is pick the project you want to make first!

Hester van Overbeek is a passionate crafter, who has always had a keen interest in interior design. When she moved to England's southeast coast and had the opportunity to redecorate a beach house, her passion for craft and DIY was rekindled and the website www.hestershandmadehome.com was born. The website features craft tutorial videos and interior tips, and Hester's work is often found in magazines such as Reloved. She has also been featured in IKEA Magazine and the Dutch magazine Libelle. Hester’s first book, Furniture Hacks, was published in 2015 by CICO Books. As well as maintaining her website, Hester also works as a hair and makeup artist. Born in the Netherlands, Hester has lived in the UK for the past ten years.