A beautiful and well-organized kitchen is a necessary part of every home decor and enhances the cooking experience. One method of achieving this is by designing personalized spice storage jars. These glass jars will not only serve as storage for your spices but also enhance your kitchen's appearance. There is no need to spend on expensive spice containers. With just a few easy steps and a few items, you can make your own homemade customized spice storage jars.
Materials Needed
● Glass jars with lids( use clear glass candle jars or any others that have lids)
● Chalkboard or Waterproof labels
● A label maker or permanent marker
● Paint or spray paint (optional)
● Small paintbrush(es)
● Adhesive vinyl (for custom designs)
● A funnel for easy spice transfer
Instructions:
This exercise will only take about 30 minutes. Follow the steps below for an easy and enjoyable experience.
Step 1: Selecting the Correct Jars
First, you need to select what type of jar you need. There are plenty of options for you depending on your volume, appearance and space needs. The squat 250ml glass jar, 200ml glass jar, the 370ml glass jar or the 720ml glass jar are all great choices.
Alternatively, you can repurpose your clear glass candle jars as spice storage jars. This is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution. You can also combine them with other jars for a creative touch.
Regardless of the jar you choose, ensure that it has an airtight jar lid. This is to prevent the moisture from entering and preserve the flavour of your spices for as long as you want.
Step 2: Cleaning your Glass Jars
Once you've chosen the jars you want, make sure to wash and dry them before use. This is important because the jars may be dirty or have chemical traces that may be harmful to health.
If you're repurposing clear glass candle jars, soak them in warm soapy water to dissolve any wax remnants or remove any labels. Then leave to air-dry for about 20 minutes.
Step 3: Painting and Decorating
This is where your unleash your creativity. Here you will make your spice storage jars to match your kitchen decor by adding a bit of colour and design. Here are a few customization ideas:
● Spray paint the lids: You can spray paint the lids to match your kitchen decor. You can paint them to match your kitchen countertop and or cabinet color. Matte black, gold or white are great choices for a modern look. Allow the paint to dry before putting the spice into the jar.
● Hand-painted designs: Using acrylic paint and small brushes, you can add decorative patterns or spice-related illustrations to your spice jars.
● Ribbons and Labels: You could simply tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar to reflect your kitchen decor. Also, you may wrap the jar with a label that illustrates the spice. This method can be used to replace step 4 below.
Step 4: Designing Your Custom Labels
The labels should show the name of the spice for easy identification. There are several ways to create stylish labels:
● Chalkboard labels: These allow you to change the spice name as needed. Simply write with a chalk marker and erase when switching contents.
● Printed Waterproof labels: Use a label maker or print custom labels with waterproof finish for a durable and stylish look.
● Handwritten labels: You can go rustic and write directly on the jars with a permanent marker.
● Vinyl Decals: For a professional touch, use adhesive vinyl cutouts with Cricut or Silhouette machine. This allows you to create intricate, unique designs.
Step 5: Organizing and Storing your Jars
Once you're done with the designs and labeling, it's time to arrange the jars for storage. The arrangement should be in a way that enhances both convenience and aesthetics.
Here are some storage ideas:
● Drawer organization: Lay your spice jars flat in a drawer with labels facing upward for quick identification. If the labels are on the lids, then keep them standing, depending on the height of the drawer.
● Racks: You can arrange your spice jars in a rack. It could be a countertop rack or a wall-mounted rack for space management. Racks make identification and accessibility to spices easy.
● Lazy Susan Turntable: If you store spices in a cabinet, a rotating turntable makes it easy to grab your spices.
Regardless of your storage method, keep frequently used spices within reach. Also group similar spices together to enhance organization.
Maintaining your Custom Spice Jars
To ensure your spice jars remain in good condition, follow these maintenance tips:
● Keep away from heat and sunlight. Store hard in a cool dry place to preserve freshness and flavour.
● Clean the spice jars periodically. Sometimes wash the jars before refilling to remove old particles.
● Check rarely used spices for expiration before using them.
● Handle the spice jars with care to avoid breaking.
● Keep spice jars out of the reach of children.
Conclusion
Creating your own spice storage jars is a simple yet creative way to improve your kitchen look and cooking experience. Also, repurposing clear glass candle jars is a sustainable approach of recycling and engaging in eco-friendly practices. We hope to see you try this craft at home and share with family and friends.